“When Severn’S Sweeping Flood Had Overthrown”

Composed 23rd January 1842.--Published 1842

In 1842 a bazaar was held in Cardiff Castle to aid in the erection of a Church, on the site of one which had been washed away by a flood in the river Severn (and a consequent influx of waters into the estuary of the British Channel) two hundred years before. Wordsworth and James Montgomery were asked to write some verses, which might be printed and sold to assist the cause. They did so. The following was Wordsworth’s contribution.--ED.

When Severn’s sweeping flood had overthrown St. Mary’s Church, the preacher then would cry:-- “Thus, Christian people, God his might hath shown That ye to him your love may testify; Haste, and rebuild the pile.”--But not a stone Resumed its place. Age after age went by, And Heaven still lacked its due, though piety In secret did, we trust, her loss bemoan. But now her Spirit hath put forth its claim In Power, and Poesy would lend her voice; Let the new Church be worthy of its aim, That in its beauty Cardiff may rejoice! Oh! in the past if cause there was for shame, Let not our times halt in their better choice.

RYDAL MOUNT, 23rd Jan. 1842.