Farewell, and believe me ever, Your affectionate friend, WILLIAM WORDSWORTH.
31.

_Of Marmion_.
EXTRACT OF LETTER TO SIR WALTER SCOTT (1808).
Thank you for 'Marmion.' I think your end has been attained.

That it is not the end which I should wish you to propose to yourself, you will be well aware, from what you know of my notions of composition, both as to matter and manner.

In the circle of my acquaintance it seems as well liked as the 'Lay,' though I have heard that in the world it is not so.
Had the Poem been much better than the Lay, it could scarcely have satisfied the public, which has too much of the monster, the moral monster, in its composition.

The Spring has burst out upon us all at once, and the vale is now in exquisite beauty; a gentle shower has fallen this morning, and I hear the thrush, who has built in my orchard, singing amain.