The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 6 (of 8)

Name: The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 6 (of 8)
Author: Wordsworth, William

Wordsworth, William

English poetry -- 18th century; English poetry -- 19th century

"But, not to overlook what thou may'st know,                 210
    Thy enemies are neither weak nor few;
    And circumspect must be our course, and slow,
    Or from my purpose ruin may ensue.
    Dismiss thy followers;--let them calmly wait
        Such change in thy estate                                215
    As I already have in thought devised;
    And which, with caution due, may soon be realised."

    The Story tells what courses were pursued,
    Until king Elidure, with full consent
    Of all his peers, before the multitude,                      220
    Rose,--and, to consummate this just intent,
    Did place upon his brother's head the crown,
        Relinquished by his own;
    Then to his[67] people cried, "Receive your lord,
    Gorbonian's first-born son, your rightful king restored!"

    The people answered with a loud acclaim:                     226
    Yet more;--heart-smitten by the heroic deed,
    The reinstated Artegal became
    Earth's noblest penitent;[68] from bondage freed
    Of vice--thenceforth unable[69] to subvert                   230
        Or shake his high desert.
    Long did he reign; and, when he died, the tear
    Of universal grief bedewed his honoured bier.

    Thus was a Brother by a Brother saved;[AI]
    With whom a crown (temptation that hath set                  235
    Discord in hearts of men till they have braved
    Their nearest kin with deadly purpose met)
    'Gainst duty weighed, and faithful love, did seem
        A thing of no esteem;
    And, from this triumph of affection pure,                    240
    He bore the lasting name of "pious Elidure!"[AJ]

VARIANTS:

[Footnote 41: 1820

    ... that, ...                                                 MS.
]

[Footnote 42: 1836.

    The wonderous ...                                    1820 and MS.
]

[Footnote 43: 1820.

    ... soil ...                                                  MS.
]

[Footnote 44: 1820.

    ... gentle ...                                                MS.
]

[Footnote 45: 1820.

    ... fragrant ...                                              MS.
]

[Footnote 46: 1820.

    ... mild ...                                                  MS.
]

[Footnote 47: 1820.

    Friendship ...                                                MS.
]

[Footnote 48: 1820.

    For fondly favouring Nature ...                               MS.
]

[Footnote 49: 1820.

    Lurked ...                                                    MS.
]

[Footnote 50: 1820.

    She flung their ...                                           MS.

    Cast this, her ...                                            MS.
]

[Footnote 51: 1836.

    Which yet he wields in subterranean war,                    1820.

    Which yet he wields in subterraneous war,                     MS.

    Which yet he graspeth, meditating war,
    To lift                                                       MS.
]

[Footnote 52: 1820.

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 6 (of 8)

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