The poetical works of William Wordsworth :: :: University of Virginia Library

The poetical works of William Wordsworth

... In six volumes ... A new edition

Wordsworth, William (1770-1850)

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XXVII. [Another year!—another deadly blow!]

NOVEMBER, 1806.

Another year!—another deadly blow!
Another mighty Empire overthrown!
And We are left, or shall be left, alone;
The last that dare to struggle with the Foe.
'Tis well! from this day forward we shall know
That in ourselves our safety must be sought;

That by our own right hands it must be wrought;
That we must stand unpropped, or be laid low.
O dastard whom such foretaste doth not cheer!
We shall exult, if they who rule the land
Be men who hold its many blessings dear,
Wise, upright, valiant; not a servile band,
Who are to judge of danger which they fear,
And honour which they do not understand.

‘Danger which they fear, and honour which they understand not.’ Words in Lord Brooke's Life of Sir P. Sydney.