Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
William Wordsworth. 17701850523. England, 1802 i
O FRIEND! I know not which way I must look | |
For comfort, being, as I am, opprest, | |
To think that now our life is only drest | |
For show; mean handy-work of craftsman, cook, | |
Or groom!—We must run glittering like a brook | 5 |
In the open sunshine, or we are unblest: | |
The wealthiest man among us is the best: | |
No grandeur now in nature or in book | |
Delights us. Rapine, avarice, expense, | |
This is idolatry; and these we adore: | 10 |
Plain living and high thinking are no more: | |
The homely beauty of the good old cause | |
Is gone; our peace, our fearful innocence, | |
And pure religion breathing household laws. |