NOT 'mid the world's vain objects that enslave The free-born Soul -- that World whose vaunted skill In selfish interest perverts the will, Whose factions lead astray the wise and brave -- Not there; but in dark wood and rocky cave, And hollow vale which foaming torrents fill With omnipresent murmur as they rave Down their steep beds, that never shall be still: Here, mighty Nature! in this school sublime I weigh the hopes and fears of suffering Spain; For her consult the auguries of time, And through the human heart explore my way; And look and listen -- gathering, whence I may, Triumph, and thoughts no bondage can restrain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EACH AND [OR, IN] ALL by RALPH WALDO EMERSON SONNET ON CATHERINE WORDSWORTH by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH A DREAM, OR THE TYPE OF THE RISING SUN by JEAN ADAMS HAWTHORNE by AMOS BRONSON ALCOTT THE SECOND BROTHER; AN UNFINISHED DRAMA by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES ON HIS HEAD WERE MANY CROWNS by MATTHEW BRIDGES |