Composed September, 1802.--Published 1807 [A]
It is not to be thought of that the Flood
Of British freedom, which, to the open sea
Of the world's praise, from dark antiquity
Hath flowed, "with pomp of waters, unwithstood,"[B]
Roused though it be full often to a mood
Which spurns the check of salutary bands, [1]
That this most famous Stream in bogs and sands
Should perish; and to evil and to good
Be lost for ever. In our halls is hung
Armoury of the invincible Knights of old:
We must be [2] free or die, who speak the tongue
That Shakespeare spake; the faith and morals hold
Which Milton held.--In every thing we are sprung
Of Earth's first blood, have titles manifold.
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VARIANTS ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:1827.
... unwithstood,
Road by which all might come and go that would,
And bear out freights of worth to foreign lands; 1803.]
[Variant 2:1807.
... must live ... 1803.]
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FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT
[Footnote A: It was first printed in 'The Morning Post', April 16. 1803,and signed W. L. D.--Ed.]
[Footnote B: Compare Daniel's 'Civil War', book ii. stanza 7.--Ed.]
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THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH - VOL. 2 (Completed)
ClassicsThe poetical works of William Wordsworth, edited by William Knight.
