Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/655

 WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

And they a blissful course may hold

Even now, who, not unwisely bold,

Live in the spirit of this creed;

Yet seek thy firm support, according to their need.

I, loving freedom, and untried;

No sport of every random gust,

Yet being to myself a guide,

Too blindly have reposed my trust:

And oft, when in my heart was heard

Thy timely mandate, I deferr'd

The task, in smoother walks to stray,

But thce I now would serve more strictly, if I may.

Through no disturbance of my soul,

Or strong compunction in me wrought,

I supplicate for thy control;

But in the quietness of thought.

Me this uncharter'd freedom tires;

I feel the weight of chance-desires;

My hopes no more must change their name,

I long for a repose that ever is the same.

Yet not the less would I throughout Still act according to the voice Of my own wish, and feel past doubt That my submissiveness was choice: Not seeking in the school of pride For 'precepts over dignified,' Denial and restraint I prize

No farther than they breed a second Will more wibe.

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