History & Politics
On the Final Submission of the Tyrolese
From Poetical Works, ed. Knight (1896), vol. IV
It was a moral end for which they fought;
Else how, when mighty Thrones were put to shame,
Could they, poor Shepherds, have preserved an aim,
A resolution, or enlivening thought?
Nor hath that moral good been vainly sought;
For in their magnanimity and fame
Powers have they left, an impulse, and a claim
Which neither can be overturned nor bought.
Sleep, Warriors, sleep! among your hills repose!
We know that ye, beneath the stern control
Of awful prudence, keep the unvanquished soul:
And when, impatient of her guilt and woes,
Europe breaks forth; then, Shepherds! shall ye rise
For perfect triumph o'er your Enemies.
Codex Note
Composed 1809; published 1809.
Cite this poem
MLA
Wordsworth, William. “On the Final Submission of the Tyrolese.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/233/.
Chicago
Wordsworth, William. “On the Final Submission of the Tyrolese.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/233/.
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