Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/429

403 And, if that ignorance were removed, which acts

Within the compass of their several shores

To breed commotion and disquietude,

Each might preserve the beautiful repose

Of heavenly Bodies shining in their spheres.

—The discipline of slavery is unknown

Amongst us,—hence the more do we require

The discipline of virtue; order else

Cannot subsist, nor confidence, nor peace.

Thus, duties rising out of good possessed,

And prudent caution needful to avert

Impending evil, do alike require

That permanent provision should be made

For the whole people to be taught and trained.

So shall licentiousness and black resolve

Be rooted out, and virtuous habits take

Their place; and genuine piety descend,

Like an inheritance, from age to age.

With such foundations laid, avaunt the fear

Of numbers crowded on their native soil,

To the prevention of all healthful growth

Through mutual injury! Rather in the law