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O FRIEND! [A] I know not which way I must look [1]
For comfort, being, as I am, opprest, To think that now our life is only drest For show; mean handy-work of craftsman, cook, Or groom!--We must run glittering like a brook 5 In the open sunshine, or we are unblest: The wealthiest man among us is the best: No grandeur now in nature or in book Delights us. Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore: 10 Plain living and high thinking are no more: The homely beauty of the good old cause Is gone; our peace, our fearful innocence, And pure religion breathing household laws. [B]
VARIANT ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1807.
O thou proud City! which way shall I look 1838.
The text of 1840 returns to that of 1807.]
FOOTNOTES ON THE TEXT
[Footnote A: The "Friend" was Coleridge. In the original MS. it stands "Coleridge! I know not," etc. Wordsworth changed it in the proof stage.--Ed.]
[Footnote B: Compare--in Hartley Coleridge's 'Lives of Distinguished Northerners'--what is said of this sonnet, in his life of Anne Clifford, where the pa.s.sing cynicism of Wordsworth's poem is pointed out.--Ed.]
Wordsworth stayed in London from August 30th to September 22nd 1802.--Ed.
LONDON, 1802
Composed September, 1802.--Published 1807
Milton! thou should'st be living at this hour: England hath need of thee: she is a fen Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen, Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, Have forfeited their ancient English dower 5 Of inward happiness. We are selfish men; Oh! raise us up, return to us again; And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.
Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart: Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea: 10 Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free, So didst thou travel on life's common way, In cheerful G.o.dliness; and yet [A] thy heart The lowliest duties on herself [1] did lay.
VARIANT ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
1820.
... itself ... 1807.]
FOOTNOTE ON THE TEXT
[Footnote A: In old English "yet" means "continuously" or "always"; and it is still used in c.u.mberland with this signification.--Ed.]
"GREAT MEN HAVE BEEN AMONG US; HANDS THAT PENNED"
Composed September, 1802.--Published 1807
Great men have been among us; hands that penned And tongues that uttered wisdom--better none: The later Sidney, Marvel, Harrington, Young Vane, [A] and others who called Milton friend.
These moralists could act and comprehend: 5 They knew how genuine glory was put on; Taught us how rightfully a nation shone In splendour: what strength was, that would not bend But in [1] magnanimous meekness. France, 'tis strange, Hath brought forth no such souls as we had then. 10 Perpetual emptiness! unceasing change!
No single volume paramount, no code, No master spirit, no determined road; But equally a want of books and men!
VARIANT ON THE TEXT
[Variant 1:
