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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AFTER VISITING THE FIELD OF WATERLOO by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: A WINGED GODDESS - CLOTHED IN VESTURE WROUGHT
Last Line: AND HORROR BREATHING FROM THE SILENT GROUND!
Subject(s): WATERLOO; BATTLE OF WATERLOO;

A WINGED Goddess -- clothed in vesture wrought
Of rainbow colours; One whose port was bold,
Whose overburthened hand could scarcely hold
The glittering crowns and garlands which it brought --
Hovered in air above the far-famed Spot.
She vanished; leaving prospect blank and cold
Of wind-swept corn that wide around us rolled
In dreary billows; wood, and meagre cot,
And monuments that soon must disappear:
Yet a dread local recompence we found;
While glory seemed betrayed, while patriot-zeal
Sank in our hearts, we felt as men 'should' feel
With such vast hoards of hidden carnage near,
And horror breathing from the silent ground!



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