book i

. vol. iii. p. 138.--ED.

"THE POWER OF ARMIES IS A VISIBLE THING"

Composed 1811.--Published 1815

One of the "Sonnets dedicated to Liberty."

The power of Armies is a visible thing,[A] Formal, and circumscribed in time and space;[1] But who the limits of that power shall trace[2] Which a brave People into light can bring Or hide, at will,--for freedom combating 5 By just revenge inflamed? No foot may chase,[3] No eye can follow, to a fatal[4] place That power, that spirit, whether on the wing Like the strong wind, or sleeping like the wind Within its awful caves.--From year to year 10 Springs this indigenous produce far and near; No craft this subtle element can bind, Rising like water from the soil, to find In every nook a lip that it may cheer.

VARIANTS:

[1] 1827.

... and place; 1815.

[2] 1827.

... can trace 1815.

[3] 1827.

... can chase, 1815.

[4] The word "fatal" was _italicised_ in the editions of 1815-43.

FOOTNOTES:

[A] Compare Aubrey de Vere's _Picturesque Sketches of Greece and Turkey_, vol. i. chap. viii. p. 204.--ED.

"HERE PAUSE: THE POET CLAIMS AT LEAST THIS PRAISE"

Composed 1811.--Published 1815

Included among the "Sonnets dedicated to Liberty." In 1815 it was called _Conclusion_, as ending this series of poems in that edition. In all editions it was headed by the date _1811_.--ED.

Here pause: the poet claims at least this praise, That virtuous Liberty hath been the scope Of his pure song, which did not shrink from hope In the worst moment of these evil days; From hope, the paramount _duty_ that Heaven lays, 5 For its own honour, on man's suffering heart.[A] Never may from our souls one truth depart-- That an accursed[1] thing it is to gaze On prosperous tyrants with a dazzled eye; Nor--touched with due abhorrence of _their_ guilt 10 For whose dire ends tears flow, and blood is spilt, And justice labours in extremity-- Forget thy weakness, upon which is built, O wretched man, the throne of tyranny!

VARIANTS:

[1] The word "accursed" was _italicised_ in the editions of 1815-43.

FOOTNOTES:

[A] Compare _The Excursion_ (