November, 1806

November, 1806
By William Wordsworth

Another year!—another deadly blow!

Another mighty Empire overthrown!

And We are left, or shall be left, alone;

The last that dare to struggle with the Foe.

‘Tis well! from this day forward we shall know

That in ourselves our safety must be sought;

That by our own right hands it must be wrought;

That we must stand unpropped, or be laid low.

O dastard whom such foretaste doth not cheer!

We shall exult, if they who rule the land

Be men who hold its many blessings dear,

Wise, upright, valiant; not a servile band,

Who are to judge of danger which they fear,

And honour which they do not understand.


About the author

William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850) was one of the founders of English Romanticism and one its key figures and important minds. He is remembered as a poet of spiritual consciousness with a great love of nature, and interest in the connection between humans and the natural environment. Wordsworth was a strong advocate of using the vocabulary and speech styles of common people in poetry.

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