Nature

Eagles

by William Wordsworth 1770–1850

From Yarrow Revisited, and Other Poems

Nature

Dishonoured Rock and Ruin! that, by law
Tyrannic, keep the Bird of Jove embarred
Like a lone criminal whose life is spared.
Vexed is he, and screams loud. The last I saw
Was on the wing; stooping, he struck with awe
Man, bird, and beast; then, with a consort paired,
From a bold headland, their loved aery's guard,
Flew high above Atlantic waves, to draw
Light from the fountain of the setting sun.
Such was this Prisoner once; and, when his plumes
The sea-blast ruffles as the storm comes on,
Then, for a moment, he, in spirit, resumes
His rank 'mong freeborn creatures that live free,
His power, his beauty, and his majesty.

MLA

Wordsworth, William. “Eagles.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/639/.

Chicago

Wordsworth, William. “Eagles.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/639/.

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