English poem
O Thou Who Movest Onward With A Mind
Published 1810[A]
O Thou who movest onward with a mind Intent upon thy way, pause, though in haste! 'Twill be no fruitless moment. I was born Within Savona's walls, of gentle blood. On Tiber's banks my youth was dedicate To sacred studies; and the Roman Shepherd Gave to my charge Urbino's numerous flock. Well did I watch, much laboured, nor had power To escape from many and strange indignities; Was smitten by the great ones of the world, But did not fall; for Virtue braves all shocks, Upon herself resting immoveably. Me did a kindlier fortune then invite To serve the glorious Henry, King of France, And in his hands I saw a high reward Stretched out for my acceptance,--but Death came. Now, Reader, learn from this my fate, how false, How treacherous to her promise, is the world; And trust in God--to whose eternal doom Must bend the sceptred Potentates of earth.
VARIANTS:
1837.
Much ... 1810.
More by William Wordsworth
- Nuns Fret Not At Their Convent'S Narrow Room
- O Flower Of All That Springs From Gentle Blood
- O Mountain Stream! The Shepherd And His Cot
- O Nightingale! Thou Surely Art
- O'Er The Wide Earth, On Mountain And On Plain
- O'Erweening Statesmen Have Full Long Relied
- On Nature'S Invitation Do I Come
- Once I Could Hail (Howe'Er Serene The Sky)