Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/431

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405

With civil arts, and send their fragrance forth,
A grateful tribute to all-ruling Heaven.
From Culture, universally bestowed
On Britain's noble Race in freedom born;
From Education, from that humble source,
Expect these mighty issues; from the pains
And quiet care of unambitious Schools
Instructing simple Childhood's ready ear:
Thence look for these magnificent results!
Vast the circumference of hope—and Ye
Are at its centre, British Lawgivers,
Ah! sleep not there in shame! Shall Wisdom's voice,
From out the bosom of these troubled Times
Repeat the dictates of her calmer mind,
And shall the venerable Halls ye fill
Refuse to echo the sublime decree?
Trust not to partial care a general good;
Transfer not to Futurity a work
Of urgent need.—Your Country must complete
Her glorious destiny.—Begin even now,
Now, when Oppression, like the Egyptian plague
Of darkness stretched o'er guilty Europe, makes
The brightness more conspicuous, that invests