The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth

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VARIANT ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1820.

... itself ... 1807.]

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FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: In old English “yet” means “continuously” or “always”; and it is still used in Cumberland with this signification.—Ed.]

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“GREAT MEN HAVE BEEN AMONG US; HANDS THAT PENNED”

Composed September, 1802.—Published 1807

  Great men have been among us; hands that penned
  And tongues that uttered wisdom—better none:
  The later Sidney, Marvel, Harrington,
  Young Vane, [A] and others who called Milton friend.
  These moralists could act and comprehend: 5
  They knew how genuine glory was put on;
  Taught us how rightfully a nation shone
  In splendour: what strength was, that would not bend
  But in [1] magnanimous meekness. France, ’tis strange,
  Hath brought forth no such souls as we had then. 10
  Perpetual emptiness! unceasing change!
  No single volume paramount, no code,
  No master spirit, no determined road;
  But equally a want of books and men!

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VARIANT ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1807.

But to ... MS.]

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FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT

[Footnote A: See Clarendon’s ‘History of the Rebellion’, book iii.—Ed.]

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“IT IS NOT TO BE THOUGHT OF THAT THE FLOOD”

Composed September, 1802.—Published 1807 [A]

  It is not to be thought of that the Flood
  Of British freedom, which, to the open sea
  Of the world’s praise, from dark antiquity
  Hath flowed, “with pomp of waters, unwithstood,"[B]
  Roused though it be full often to a mood 5
  Which spurns the check of salutary bands, [1]
  That this most famous Stream in bogs and sands
  Should perish; and to evil and to good
  Be lost for ever. In our halls is hung
  Armoury of the invincible Knights of old: 10
  We must be [2] free or die, who speak the tongue
  That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold
  Which Milton held.—In every thing we are sprung
  Of Earth’s first blood, have titles manifold.

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