210. *Sonnet XIX.
'There is a pleasure,' &c.
Written on a journey from Brinsop Court, Herefordshire.
211. *Sonnet XXIX.
'Though narrow,' &c.
1807. Coleorton. This old man's name was Mitchell. He was, in all his ways and conversation, a great curiosity, both individually and as a representative of past times. His chief employment was keeping watch at night by pacing round the house at that time building, to keep off depredators. He has often told me gravely of having seen the 'Seven Whistlers and the Hounds' as here described. Among the groves of Coleorton, where I became familiar with the habits and notions of old Mitchell, there was also a labourer of whom I regret I had no personal knowledge; for, more than forty years after, when he was become an old man, I learnt that while I was composing verses, which I usually did aloud, he took much pleasure, unknown to me, in following my steps, that he might catch the words I uttered, and, what is not a little remarkable, several lines caught in this way kept their place in his memory. My volumes have lately been given to him, by my informant, and surely he must have been gratified to meet in print his old acquaintance.
212. *Sonnet XXX. 'Four fiery steeds,' &c.
Suggested on the road between Preston and Lancaster, where it first gives a view of the Lake country, and composed on the same day, on the roof of the coach.
213. *Sonnet XXXI. 'Brook! whose society,' &c.
Also composed on the roof of a coach, on my way to France, September 1802.