Nature

Feel for the Wrongs to Universal Ken

by William Wordsworth 1770–1850

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

Nature

Feel for the wrongs to universal ken
Daily exposed, woe that unshrouded lies;
And seek the Sufferer in his darkest den,
Whether conducted to the spot by sighs
And moanings, or he dwells (as if the wren
Taught him concealment) hidden from all eyes
In silence and the awful modesties
Of sorrow;--feel for all, as brother Men!
Rest not in hope want’s icy chain to thaw
By casual boons and formal charities;
Learn to be just, just through impartial law;
Far as ye may, erect and equalise;
And, what ye cannot reach by statute, draw
Each from his fountain of self-sacrifice!

MLA

Wordsworth, William. “Feel for the Wrongs to Universal Ken.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/809/.

Chicago

Wordsworth, William. “Feel for the Wrongs to Universal Ken.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/809/.

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