Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
George Crabbe. 17541832481. Late Wisdom
WE’VE trod the maze of error round, | |
Long wandering in the winding glade; | |
And now the torch of truth is found, | |
It only shows us where we strayed: | |
By long experience taught, we know— | 5 |
Can rightly judge of friends and foes; | |
Can all the worth of these allow, | |
And all the faults discern in those. | |
Now, ’tis our boast that we can quell | |
The wildest passions in their rage, | 10 |
Can their destructive force repel, | |
And their impetuous wrath assuage.— | |
Ah, Virtue! dost thou arm when now | |
This bold rebellious race are fled? | |
When all these tyrants rest, and thou | 15 |
Art warring with the mighty dead? |