Poems

I I am not One who much or oft delightTo season my fireside with personal talk.Of friends, who live within an easy walk,Or neighbours, daily, weekly, in my sight:And, for my chance-acquaintance, ladies bright,Sons, mothers, maidens withering on the stalk,These all wear out of me, like Forms, with chalkPainted on rich men's floors, for one feast-night.Better than such … [Read more...] about Personal Talk, By: William Wordsworth

Pelion and Ossa flourish side by side,Together in immortal books enrolled:His ancient dower Olympus hath not sold;And that inspiring Hill, which "did divideInto two ample horns his forehead wide,"Shines with poetic radiance as of old;While not an English Mountain we beholdBy the celestial Muses glorified.Yet round our sea-girt shore they rise in crowds:What was the great … [Read more...] about Pelion And Ossa Flourish Side By Side, By: William Wordsworth

O'erweening Statesmen have full long reliedOn fleets and armies, and external wealth:But from 'within' proceeds a Nation's health;Which shall not fail, though poor men cleave with prideTo the paternal floor; or turn aside,In the thronged city, from the walks of gain,As being all unworthy to detainA Soul by contemplation sanctified.There are who cannot languish in this … [Read more...] about O’erweening Statesmen Have Full Long Relied, By: William Wordsworth

O'er the wide earth, on mountain and on plain,Dwells in the affections and the soul of manA Godhead, like the universal PAN;But more exalted, with a brighter train:And shall his bounty be dispensed in vain,Showered equally on city and on field,And neither hope nor steadfast promise yieldIn these usurping times of fear and pain?Such doom awaits us. Nay, forbid it Heaven!We know … [Read more...] about O’er The Wide Earth, On Mountain And On Plain, By: William Wordsworth

Ye sacred Nurseries of blooming Youth!In whose collegiate shelter England's FlowersExpand, enjoying through their vernal hoursThe air of liberty, the light of truth;Much have ye suffered from Time's gnawing tooth:Yet, O ye spires of Oxford! domes and towers!Gardens and groves! your presence overpowersThe soberness of reason; till, in sooth,Transformed, and rushing on a bold … [Read more...] about Oxford, May 30, 1820, By: William Wordsworth