Lyrical Ballads with Other Poems, 1800, Volume 2

"Lyrical Ballads with Other Poems, 1800, Volume 2" by William Wordsworth is a compilation of poems from the early 1800s that investigates nature, the spectrum of human emotion, and the intricate details of personal journeys through life. Many poems in this volume are set in the countryside, depicting the connection between people and their environment, and consider topics such as love, sorrow, and remembrance. The collection begins with "Hart-Leap Well," a poem that tells the story of Sir Walter, a knight whose successful hart hunt causes reflection on the temporary nature of happiness in the face of lasting surroundings, and his building of a monument where his victory took place reveals a contrast between the short burst of excitement and the quiet persistence of nature. Life, death, and the inevitable return to nature continue as prevailing ideas throughout the following poems, as Wordsworth uses powerful imagery and touching stories about characters like Lucy Gray and the rough realities of country life to ground readers in the eternal wonder and sadness of being human.