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Home  »  The Complete Poetical Works by William Wordsworth  »  ON THE FINAL SUBMISSION OF THE TYROLESE

ON THE FINAL SUBMISSION OF THE TYROLESE


IT was a ‘moral’ end for which they fought; Else how, when mighty Thrones were put to shame, Could they, poor Shepherds, have preserved an aim, A resolution, or enlivening thought? Nor hath that moral good been ‘vainly’ sought; For in their magnanimity and fame Powers have they left, an impulse, and a claim Which neither can be overturned nor bought. Sleep, Warriors, sleep! among your hills repose! We know that ye, beneath the stern control 10 Of awful prudence, keep the unvanquished soul: And when, impatient of her guilt and woes, Europe breaks forth; then, Shepherds! shall ye rise For perfect triumph o’er your Enemies. 1809.