History & Politics

Men of the Western World! In Fate’s Dark Book

by William Wordsworth 1770–1850

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

History & Politics

Men of the Western World! in Fate’s dark book
Whence these opprobrious leaves of dire portent?
Think ye your British Ancestors forsook
Their native Land, for outrage provident;
From unsubmissive necks the bridle shook
To give, in their Descendants, freer vent
And wider range to passions turbulent,
To mutual tyranny a deadlier look?
Nay, said a voice, soft as the south wind’s breath,
Dive through the stormy surface of the flood
To the great current flowing underneath;
Explore the countless springs of silent good;
So shall the truth be better understood,
And thy grieved Spirit brighten strong in faith.

MLA

Wordsworth, William. “Men of the Western World! In Fate’s Dark Book.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/797/.

Chicago

Wordsworth, William. “Men of the Western World! In Fate’s Dark Book.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/797/.

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