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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

1810 (2) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: O'ERWEENING STATESMEN HAVE FULL LONG RELIED
Last Line: TO LABOUR AND TO PRAYER, TO NATURE, AND TO HEAVEN.
Subject(s): NAPOLEONIC WARS;
O'ERWEENING Statesmen have full long relied
On fleets and armies, and external wealth:
But from 'within' proceeds a Nation's health;
Which shall not fail, though poor men cleave with pride
To the paternal floor; or turn aside,
In the thronged city, from the walks of gain,
As being all unworthy to detain
A Soul by contemplation sanctified.
There are who cannot languish in this strife,
Spaniards of every rank, by whom the good
Of such high course was felt and understood;
Who to their Country's cause have bound a life
Erewhile, by solemn consecration, given
To labour and to prayer, to nature, and to heaven.




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