The Recluse

London: Macmillan and Co, 1891. Hardback. Very Good. 9" by 5.5". None. A limited edition copy of William Wordsworth's uncommon poem about his new home with his sister, intended to be part of his epic poem 'The Recluse'. A limited edition work, of which fifty copies were printed on handmade paper, printed in February 1891. From the sale of the library of Jonathan Wordsworth, who was the great-great-great nephew of William Wordsworth. Jonathan was an expert on the Romantic era in literature, and his work appeared in the 'London Review of Books'. With a half-title. This work was intended to be one part of a three part epic and philosophical poem, including 'The Prelude' and 'The Excursion'. He intended this work to be his magnum opus, however only 'The Prelude' (the prologue to the poem) and 'The Excursion' (the second part of the poem) were ever published. The third part was never written, and only two books of part I were published, including 'Home at Grasmere', contained in this volume. The second book of part one was titled 'The Tuft of Primroses'. 'Home at Grasmere' was written approximately between 1800 and 1806, and was originally unpublished during Wordsworth's life. This poem meditates on what it meant to Wordsworth to make a house a home, after moving to 'Dove Cottage' is Grasmere village. He ruminates on his joy of finding a true home at last with his sister, as well as his anxieties about the possibility of becoming a great poet as he wished to be. William Wordsworth is one of the men who led the Romantic Age in English literature, launching the movement with Samuel Taylor Coleridge with their publication of 'Lyrical ballads'. Intending this whole four part poem to be his magnum opus, only his poem 'The Prelude' is. Wordsworth was poet laureate for Britain for seven years until his death. In the original publisher's paper covered boards, with the original boards and spine preserved. Externally, smart. Evidence of former loss to the spine and to the rear joint. A little rubbing to the spine label. Minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Light marks and discolouration to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. The occasional pencil annotation to the margins. Very Good