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ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 1: 10. BRITONS VS. BARBARIANS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: RISE! - THEY HAVE RISEN: OF BRAVE ANEURIN ASK
Last Line: AND EVERLASTING DEEDS TO BURNING WORDS!

RISE! -- they 'have' risen: of brave Aneurin ask
How they have scourged old foes, perfidious friends:
The Spirit of Caractacus descends
Upon the Patriots, animates their task; --
Amazement runs before the towering casque
Of Arthur, bearing through the stormy field
The virgin sculptured on his Christian shield: --
Stretched in the sunny light of victory bask
The Host that followed Urien as he strode
O'er heaps of slain; -- from Cambrian wood and moss
Druids descend, auxiliars of the Cross;
Bards, nursed on blue Plinlimmon's still abode,
Rush on the fight, to harps preferring swords,
And everlasting deeds to burning words!




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