English poem
“Blest Statesman He, Whose Mind’S Unselfish Will”
Composed 1838.--Published 1838
One of the “Sonnets dedicated to Liberty and Order.”--ED.
Blest Statesman He, whose Mind’s unselfish will Leaves him at ease among grand thoughts: whose eye Sees that, apart from magnanimity, Wisdom exists not; nor the humbler skill Of Prudence, disentangling good and ill With patient care. What tho’ assaults run high, They daunt not him who holds his ministry, Resolute, at all hazards, to fulfil Its duties;--prompt to move, but firm to wait,-- Knowing, things rashly sought are rarely found; That, for the functions of an ancient State-- Strong by her charters, free because imbound, Servant of Providence, not slave of Fate-- Perilous is sweeping change, all chance unsound.
1842.
… her
C. and 1838.
1838.
… if
C.
1838.
His
C.
1838.
… in
C.
All change is perilous, and all chance unsound.
SPENSER.--W.W. 1838.
The passage will be found in The Faërie Queene, book v. canto xii. stanza 36.--ED.
More by William Wordsworth
- “Arms And The Man I Sing, The First Who Bore”
- “Aubrey De Vere.”
- “Before The World Had Past Her Time Of Youth”
- “BLEAK SEASON WAS IT, TURBULENT AND BLEAK”
- “Brook, That Hast Been My Solace Days And Weeks”
- “By A Blest Husband Guided, Mary Came”[53]
- “Come, Gentle Sleep, Death’S Image Tho’ Thou Art”
- “Critics, Right Honourable Bard, Decree”