"Extract from the Conclusion of a Poem, composed in Anticipation of leaving School" by William Wordsworth - ThePoemStory

Extract from the Conclusion of a Poem, Composed in Anticipation of Leaving School. Composed in1786 and Published in1815, William Wordsworth wrote when he was in school. We can consider it as one of the initial poems by William Wordsworth.

This poem, classified by Wordsworth among his Juvenile Pieces (later Poems Written in Youth), is the surviving conclusion of a long poem he wrote as a schoolboy. It reflects his experiences and the scenery of Hawkshead, particularly a moment of rest beneath sycamores by Coniston Lake. Wordsworth later incorporated this passage into The Prelude (Book 8), the same book in in which “I wandered lonely as a cloud“ was written, describing his youthful reflections on nature’s beauty.

Also Read: Poets and Poetry Page | Biography of William Wordsworth | Poems by William Wordsworth | Famous Quotes by William Wordsworth

Extract from the Conclusion of a Poem, composed in Anticipation of leaving School

Dear native regions, I foretell,
From what I feel at this farewell,
That, wheresoe’er my steps may tend,
And whensoe’er my course shall end,

If in that hour a single tie
Survive of local sympathy,
My soul will cast the backward view,
The longing look alone on you.

Thus, while the Sun sinks down to rest
Far in the regions of the west,
Though to the vale no parting beam
Be given, not one memorial gleam,
A lingering light he fondly throws
On the dear hills where first he rose.
_{~ “Extract from the Conclusion of a Poem, composed in Anticipation of leaving School” by William Wordsworth}

Analysis of Extract from the Conclusion of a Poem, Composed in Anticipation of Leaving School

William Wordsworth’s poem captures the deep emotional attachment to one’s childhood home and the inevitable nostalgia that follows departure. As the only surviving part of a much longer schoolboy poem, this extract stands as a poignant farewell to his formative years in Hawkshead.

The speaker begins with a heartfelt prophecy: no matter where life takes him, his soul will always turn back to his “native regions.” This sentiment reflects Wordsworth’s lifelong reverence for nature and memory. The farewell is not just a moment of parting; it is a realization that the bond with home is unbreakable. Even if only a single thread of connection remains, it will pull his heart back to the landscapes of his youth.

Wordsworth beautifully extends this theme through a natural metaphor—the setting sun. Just as the sun casts a “lingering light” on the hills where it first rose, so too does the poet’s heart linger on the place that shaped him. Even as he moves forward, his soul, like the sun, will continue to illuminate and cherish the land of his childhood.

This idea of looking back with longing foreshadows a central theme in The Prelude, where Wordsworth reflects on his early experiences with nature and their lasting influence. The imagery of the sun’s final glow on the “dear hills” aligns with the autobiographical recollections in the introduction, where he describes resting beneath sycamores on Coniston Lake, absorbing the beauty of his surroundings.

Ultimately, the poem is more than a farewell—it is a declaration of love for the landscapes that shaped the poet’s soul. It resonates with anyone who has left a beloved place behind, carrying its memory as a guiding light in life’s journey.

Also Read: Poets and Poetry Page | Biography of William Wordsworth | Poems by William Wordsworth | Famous Quotes by William Wordsworth

Conclusion

Wordsworth’s Extract from the Conclusion of a Poem is a heartfelt meditation on nostalgia, memory, and the unbreakable bond between a person and their homeland. Through the imagery of the setting sun casting its final glow on the hills of its origin, the poet conveys a universal truth—our earliest landscapes remain etched in our souls, shaping our thoughts and emotions long after we leave them behind. This poem not only serves as a personal farewell to his school days but also as a testament to the enduring power of nature and memory in Wordsworth’s poetry. Like the sun’s lingering light, our fondest memories continue to illuminate our journey, no matter where life takes us.