The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth Volume Ii Part 157

VARIANT ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1837.

... touch ... 1807.]

"ENGLAND! THE TIME IS COME WHEN THOU SHOULD'ST WEAN"

Composed possibly in 1803.--Published 1807

This was one of the "Sonnets dedicated to Liberty"; afterwards called, "Poems dedicated to National Independence and Liberty."--Ed.

England! the time is come when thou should'st wean Thy heart from its emasculating food; The truth should now be better understood; Old things have been unsettled; we have seen Fair seed-time, better harvest might have been 5 But for thy trespa.s.ses; and, at this day, If for Greece, Egypt, India, Africa, Aught good were destined, thou would'st step between.

England! all nations in this charge agree: But worse, more ignorant in love and hate, 10 Far--far more abject, is thine Enemy: Therefore the wise pray for thee, though the freight Of thy offences be a heavy weight: Oh grief that Earth's best hopes rest all with Thee!

OCTOBER, 1803 (#3)

Composed October 1803.--Published 1807

Included among the "Sonnets dedicated to Liberty"; afterwards called, "Poems dedicated to National Independence and Liberty."--Ed.

When, looking on the present face of things, I see one man, of men the meanest too!

Raised up to sway the world, to do, undo, With mighty Nations for his underlings, The great events with which old story rings 5 Seem vain and hollow; I find nothing great: Nothing is left which I can venerate; So that a doubt almost [1] within me springs Of Providence, such emptiness at length Seems at the heart of all things. But, great G.o.d! 10 I measure back the steps which I have trod; And tremble, seeing whence proceeds the strength [2]

Of such poor Instruments, with thoughts sublime I tremble at the sorrow of the time.

VARIANTS ON THE TEXT

[Variant 1:

1845.

... almost a doubt ... 1807.]

[Variant 2:

1827.

... seeing, as I do, the strength 1807.]

The reference is, of course, to Napoleon.--Ed.

TO THE MEN OF KENT. OCTOBER, 1803

Composed October 1803.--Published 1807

One of the "Sonnets dedicated to Liberty"; re-named in 1845, "Poems dedicated to National Independence and Liberty."--Ed.