Why sleeps the future, as a snake enrolled,
Coil within coil, at noon-tide? For the WORD
Yields, if with unpresumptuous faith explored,
Power at whose touch the sluggard shall unfold
His drowsy rings. Look forth! that Stream behold,
That stream upon whose bosom we have passed
Floating at ease while nations have effaced
Nations, and Death has gathered to his fold
Long lines of mighty Kings look forth, my Soul!
(Nor in this vision be thou slow to trust)
The living Waters, less and less by guilt
Stained and polluted, brighten as they roll,
Till they have reached the eternal City built
For the perfected Spirit of the just!
Read all of William Wordsworth's poems · About William Wordsworth
More by William Wordsworth
- Ecclesiastical Sonnets - Part III. - XV - Concluded. American Episcopacy
- Ecclesiastical Sonnets - Part III. - XVI - Bishops And Priests
- Ecclesiastical Sonnets - Part III. - XVII - Places Of Worship
- Ecclesiastical Sonnets - Part III. - XVIII - Pastoral Character
- Ecclesiastical Sonnets - Part III. - XX - Baptism
Write poetry? Submit your poem to Poetry Catalog