History & Politics

O'erweening Statesmen have full long relied

by William Wordsworth 1770–1850

From Poetical Works, ed. Knight (1896), vol. IV

History & Politics

O'erweening Statesmen have full long relied
On fleets and armies, and external wealth:
But from within proceeds a Nation's health;
Which shall not fail, though poor men cleave with pride
To the paternal floor; or turn aside,
In the thronged city, from the walks of gain,
As being all unworthy to detain
A Soul by contemplation sanctified.
There are who cannot languish in this strife,
Spaniards of every rank, by whom the good
Of such high course was felt and understood;
Who to their Country's cause have bound a life
Erewhile, by solemn consecration, given
To labour, and to prayer, to nature, and to heaven.

✦ ✦ ✦

Composed 1810; published 1815.

MLA

Wordsworth, William. “O'erweening Statesmen have full long relied.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/260/.

Chicago

Wordsworth, William. “O'erweening Statesmen have full long relied.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/260/.

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