Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


COMPOSED IN ONE OF THE CATHOLIC CANTONS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: DOOMED AS WE ARE OUR NATIVE DUST
Last Line: AND FEEL, IF WE WOULD KNOW.

DOOMED as we are our native dust
To wet with many a bitter shower,
It ill befits us to disdain
The altar, to deride the fane,
Where simple Sufferers bend, in trust
To win a happier hour.
I love, where spreads the village lawn,
Upon some knee-worn cell to gaze:
Hail to the firm unmoving cross,
Aloft, where pines their branches toss!
And to the chapel far withdrawn,
That lurks by lonely ways!
Where'er we roam -- along the brink
Of Rhine -- or by the sweeping Po,
Through Alpine vale, or champain wide,
Whate'er we look on, at our side
Be Charity! -- to bid us think,
And feel, if we would know.



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