I attempted, at least, fifteen of the sonnets, but could not anywhere succeed.

I have sent you the only one I was able to finish; it is far from being the best, or most characteristic, but the others were too much for me." The last of the three sonnets probably belongs to the year 1804, as it is quoted in a letter to Sir George Beaumont, dated Grasmere, August 6.
The year is not given, but I think it must have been 1804, as he says that "within the last month," he had written, "700 additional lines" of 'The Prelude'; and that poem was finished in May 1805.
The titles given to them make it necessary to place these Sonnets in the order which follows.
One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."-- Ed.
I Yes! hope may with my strong desire keep pace, And I be undeluded, unbetrayed; For if of our affections none finds [1] grace In sight of Heaven, then, wherefore hath God made The world which we inhabit?
Better plea 5 Love cannot have, than that in loving thee Glory to that eternal Peace is paid, Who such divinity to thee imparts As hallows and makes pure all gentle hearts.
His hope is treacherous only whose love dies 10 With beauty, which is varying every hour; But, in chaste hearts uninfluenced by the power Of outward change, there blooms a deathless flower, That breathes on earth the air of paradise.
* * * * * VARIANT ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1849.
...

find ...

1807.] * * * * * FROM THE SAME Translated 1805 ?--Published 1807 One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."-- Ed.
II No mortal object did these eyes behold When first they met the placid light of thine, And my Soul felt her destiny divine, [1] And hope of endless peace in me grew bold: Heaven-born, the Soul a heaven-ward course must hold; 5 Beyond the visible world she soars to seek (For what delights the sense is false and weak) Ideal Form, the universal mould.
The wise man, I affirm, can find no rest In that which perishes: nor will he lend 10 His heart to aught which doth on time depend.
'Tis sense, unbridled will, and not true love, That [2] kills the soul: love betters what is best, Even here below, but more in heaven above.
* * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: 1807.
When first saluted by the light of thine, When my soul ...
MS.

letter to Sir George Beaumont.] [Variant 2: 1827.
Which ...