Page:The Prelude, Wordsworth, 1850.djvu/276

254 And thirst for bloody spoils abroad is paired

With vice at home. "We added dearest themes—

Man and his noble nature, as it is

The gift which God has placed within his power,

His blind desires and steady faculties

Capable of clear truth, the one to break

Bondage, the other to build liberty

On firm foundations, making social life,

Through knowledge spreading and imperishable,

As just in regulation, and as pure

As individual in the wise and good.

We summoned up the honourable deeds

Of ancient Story, thought of each bright spot,

That would be found in all recorded time,

Of truth preserved and error passed away;

Of single spirits that catch the flame from Heaven,

And how the multitudes of men will feed

And fan each other; thought of sects, how keen

They are to put the appropriate nature on,

Triumphant over every obstacle

Of custom, language, country, love, or hate,

And what they do and suffer for their creed;

How far they travel, and how long endure;

How quickly mighty Nations have been formed,