ABSTRACT
Presumably written in November 1810 with the other ‘Mary’ poems (see headnote to No. 38); if so, it fits logically before No. 41. S. sent it to Elizabeth Hitchener on 23 November 1811 (L i 190), commenting: ‘I transcribe a little Poem I found this morning. It was written [?nearly three years canc.] some time ago, but as it appears to shew what I then thought of eternal life I send it.’ ‘Then’ and throughout his life S. was sceptical of a future existence but realized that ‘what we earnestly desire we are very much prejudiced in favor of’ (to Eliz. Hitchener, 24 November 1811, L i 192).
