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James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902.

August 30

Convention of Cintra

By William Wordsworth (1770–1850)

  • The treaty between the French and English concluded on August 30, by the terms of which the French evacuated Portugal.


  • NOT ’mid the world’s vain objects that enslave

    The free-born Soul—that World whose vaunted skill

    In selfish interest perverts the will,

    Whose factions lead astray the wise and brave—

    Not there; but in dark wood and rocky cave,

    And hollow vale which foaming torrents fill

    With omnipresent murmur as they rave

    Down their steep beds, that never shall be still:

    Here, mighty Nature! in this school sublime

    I weigh the hopes and fears of suffering Spain;

    For her consult the auguries of time,

    And through the human heart explore my way;

    And look and listen—gathering, whence I may,

    Triumph, and thoughts no bondage can restrain.