Not in Utopia, subterranean [8] fields, Or some secreted island, Heaven knows where! But in the very world, which is the world Of all of us,--the place where in the end We find our happiness, or not at all! 40 * * * * * VARIANTS ON THE TEXT [Variant 1: "were" omitted from the 1820 edition only.] [Variant 2: 1809. ... us ... 'The Prelude', 1850.] [Variant 3: 1815. ... Enchanter ... 1809.] [Variant 4: 1832. (To take an image which was felt no doubt 1809. (As at some moments might not be unfelt 'The Prelude', 1850.] [Variant 5: 1815. Their ministers--used to stir in lordly wise 1809.] [Variant 6: 1815. And deal ... 1809.] [Variant 7: "both" 'italicised' from 1815 to 1832, and also in 'The Prelude'.] [Variant 8: 1832 ... subterraneous ... 1809.] Compare Coleridge's remarks in 'The Friend', vol. ii. p. 38, before quoting this poem, "My feelings and imagination did not remain unkindled in this general conflagration; and I confess I should be more inclined to be ashamed than proud of myself if they had! I was a sharer in the general vortex, though my little world described the path of its revolution in an orbit of its own," etc. Ed. * * * * * ODE TO DUTY Composed 1805.--Published 1807 "Jam non consilio bonus, sed more eò perductus, ut non tantum rectè facere possim, sed nisi rectè facere non possim." [A] [This Ode is on the model of Gray's 'Ode to Adversity', which is copied from Horace's Ode to Fortune. Many and many a time have I been twitted by my wife and sister for having forgotten this dedication of myself to the stern law-giver. Transgressor indeed I have been from hour to hour, from day to day: I would fain hope, however, not more flagrantly, or in a worse way than most of my tuneful brethren. But these last words are in a wrong strain. We should be rigorous to ourselves, and forbearing, if not indulgent, to others; and, if we make comparison at all, it ought to be with those who have morally excelled us.--I. F.] In pencil on the MS., "But is not the first stanza of Gray's from a chorus of Æschylus? And is not Horace's Ode also modelled on the Greek?" This poem was placed by Wordsworth among his "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection."--Ed. Stern Daughter of the Voice of God! O Duty! if that name thou love Who art a light to guide, a rod To check the erring, and reprove; Thou, who art victory and law 5 When empty terrors overawe; From vain temptations dost set free; And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity! [1]