THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH - VOL. 2 (Completed)

LINES ON THE EXPECTED INVASION 1803

Composed 1803.--Published 1842

Included among the "Poems dedicated to National Independence and Liberty."--Ed.

Come ye--who, if (which Heaven avert!) the Land

Were with herself at strife, would take your stand,

Like gallant Falkland, by the Monarch's side,

And, like Montrose, make Loyalty your pride--

Come ye--who, not less zealous, might display

Banners at enmity with regal sway,

And, like the Pyms and Miltons of that day,

Think that a State would live in sounder health

If Kingship bowed its head to Commonwealth--

Ye too--whom no discreditable fear

Would keep, perhaps with many a fruitless tear,

Uncertain what to choose and how to steer--

And ye--who might mistake for sober sense

And wise reserve the plea of indolence--

Come ye--whate'er your creed--O waken all,

Whate'er your temper, at your Country's call;

Resolving (this a free-born Nation can)

To have one Soul, and perish to a man,

Or save this honoured Land from every Lord

But British reason and the British sword.

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