English poem
When Haughty Expectations Prostrate Lie
Composed 1819.--Published 1820
One of the "Miscellaneous Sonnets."--ED.
When haughty expectations prostrate lie,[DN] And grandeur crouches like a guilty thing, Oft shall the lowly weak, till nature bring Mature release, in fair society Survive, and Fortune's utmost anger try; Like these frail snow-drops that together cling, And nod their helmets, smitten by the wing Of many a furious whirl-blast sweeping by. Observe the faithful flowers![DO] if small to great May lead the thoughts, thus struggling used to stand The Emathian phalanx,[DP] nobly obstinate; And so the bright immortal Theban band,[DQ] Whom onset, fiercely urged at Jove's command, Might overwhelm, but could not separate!
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