[CU] Possibly this refers to his sister Dorothy. Among the poems on the Tour of 1833 is one To a Friend. This friend was the poet's son, pastor at Brigham, Cockermouth. See the note appended to the present poem.—Ed.
THE LONGEST DAY
Addressed to my Daughter, Dora[257]
Composed 1817.—Published 1820
[Suggested by the sight of my daughter (Dora) playing in front of Rydal Mount; and composed in a great measure the same afternoon. I have often wished to pair this poem upon the longest, with one upon the shortest, day, and regret even now that it has not been done.—I. F.]
One of the "Poems referring to the Period of Childhood."—Ed.
Let us quit the leafy arbour,
And the torrent murmuring by;
For the sun is in his harbour,[258]