The Prelude

The Prelude is William Wordsworths epic reflection on his lifetime journey as an artist and is widely considered to be one of his most significant works. First published in 1850 after the poets death Wordsworth began working on the blank verse poem in 1798 and continued modifying and expanding it for the rest of his life. Two earlier versions of the poem have been found and published showing the evolution of this monumental work. A first version called the 1799 Prelude is the poem in its earliest and shortest stage. A second version the 1805 Prelude is much longer and captures Wordsworths thoughts on art and nature at the height of his early career. The final version published here is the most polished and mature. Beginning with Wordsworths childhood in the Lake District continuing through his years spent in France and concluding with his thoughts of the relationship between an artists imagination and nature the epic poem is philosophical reflective and deeply personal. One of the Romantic periods greatest works The Prelude is a thought-provoking and inspiring epic on what it means to be an artist in an increasingly busy modern world. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.