Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/654

 WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

��545 Ode to Duty

STERN Daughter of the Voice of God! O Duty' if that name thou love, Who art a light to guide, a rod To check the erring and reprove, Thou, who art victory and law When empty terrors overawe; From vain temptations dost set free; And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity!

There arc who ask not if thine eye

Be on them, who, in love and truth,

Where no misgiving is, rely

Upon the genial sense of youth.

Glad hearts' without reproach or blot;

Who do thy work, and know it not.

O, if through confidence misplaced

They fail, thy saving arms, dread Power! around them cast.

Serene will be our days and bright, And happy will our nature be, When love is an unerring light, And joy its own security.

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