Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/176

150 Hope,—below this, consists not with belief

In perfect Wisdom, guiding mightiest Power,

That finds no limits but its own pure Will.

Here then we rest: not fearing to be left

In undisturbed possession of our creed

For aught that human reasoning can achieve,

To unsettle or perplex us: yet with pain

Acknowledging, and grievous self-reproach,

That, though immoveably convinced, we want

Zeal, and the virtue to exist by faith

As Soldiers live by courage; as, by strength

Of heart, the Sailor fights with roaring seas.

Alas! the endowment of immortal Power

Is matched unequally with custom, time,

And domineering faculties of sense

In all; in most with superadded foes,

Idle temptations—open vanities

Of dissipation; countless, still-renewed,

Ephemeral offspring of the unblushing world;

And, in the private regions of the mind,

Ill-governed passions, ranklings of despite,

Immoderate wishes, pining discontent,