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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 1: 28. INFLUENCE ABUSED by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: URGED BY AMBITION, WHO WITH SUBTLEST SKILL
Last Line: AND SORCERIES OF TALENT MISAPPLIED.

URGED by Ambition, who with subtlest skill
Changes her means, the Enthusiast as a dupe
Shall soar, and as a hypocrite can stoop,
And turn the instruments of good to ill,
Moulding the credulous people to his will.
Such DUNSTAN: -- from its Benedictine coop
Issues the master Mind, at whose fell swoop
The chaste affections tremble to fulfil
Their purposes. Behold, pre-signified,
The Might of spiritual sway! his thoughts, his dreams,
Do in the supernatural world abide:
So vaunt a throng of Followers, filled with pride
In what they see of virtues pushed to extremes,
And sorceries of talent misapplied.




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