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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON BEING STRANDED NEAR THE HARBOUR OF BOULOGNE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHY CAST YE BACK UPON THE GALLIC SHORE
Last Line: SUCH GROUND I FROM MY VERY HEART ENJOY!

WHY cast ye back upon the Gallic shore,
Ye furious waves! a patriotic Son
Of England -- who in hope her coast had won,
His project crowned, his pleasant travel o'er?
Well -- let him pace this noted beach once more,
That gave the Roman his triumphal shells;
That saw the Corsican his cap and bells
Haughtily shake, a dreaming Conqueror! --
Enough: my Country's cliffs I can behold,
And proudly think, beside the chafing sea,
Of checked ambition, tyranny controlled,
And folly cursed with endless memory:
These local recollections ne'er can cloy;
Such ground I from my very heart enjoy!




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