[Variant 4:
1832.
(To take an image which was felt no doubt 1809.
(As at some moments might not be unfelt "The Prelude", 1850.]
[Variant 5:
1815.
Their ministers--used to stir in lordly wise 1809.]
[Variant 6:
1815.
And deal ... 1809.]
[Variant 7: "both" "italicised" from 1815 to 1832, and also in "The Prelude".]
[Variant 8:
1832
... subterraneous ... 1809.]
Compare Coleridge"s remarks in "The Friend", vol. ii. p. 38, before quoting this poem,
"My feelings and imagination did not remain unkindled in this general conflagration; and I confess I should be more inclined to be ashamed than proud of myself if they had! I was a sharer in the general vortex, though my little world described the path of its revolution in an orbit of its own," etc.
Ed.
ODE TO DUTY
Composed 1805.--Published 1807
"Jam non consilio bonus, sed more e perductus, ut non tantum recte facere possim, sed nisi recte facere non possim." [A]
[This Ode is on the model of Gray"s "Ode to Adversity", which is copied from Horace"s Ode to Fortune. Many and many a time have I been twitted by my wife and sister for having forgotten this dedication of myself to the stern law-giver.
Transgressor indeed I have been from hour to hour, from day to day: I would fain hope, however, not more flagrantly, or in a worse way than most of my tuneful brethren. But these last words are in a wrong strain. We should be rigorous to ourselves, and forbearing, if not indulgent, to others; and, if we make comparison at all, it ought to be with those who have morally excelled us.--I. F.]
In pencil on the MS.,
"But is not the first stanza of Gray"s from a chorus of aeschylus? And is not Horace"s Ode also modelled on the Greek?"
This poem was placed by Wordsworth among his "Poems of Sentiment and Reflection."--Ed.
Stern Daughter of the Voice of G.o.d!
O Duty! if that name thou love Who art a light to guide, a rod To check the erring, and reprove; Thou, who art victory and law 5 When empty terrors overawe; From vain temptations dost set free; And calm"st the weary strife of frail humanity! [1]
There are who ask not if thine eye Be on them; who, in love and truth, 10 Where no misgiving is, rely Upon the genial sense of youth: [B]
Glad Hearts! without reproach or blot; Who do thy work, [2] and know it not: Oh, if through confidence misplaced 15 They fail, thy saving arms, dread Power! around them cast. [3]
Serene will be our days and bright, And happy will our nature be, When love is an unerring light, And joy its own security. 20 And they a blissful course may hold Even now, who, not unwisely bold, [4]
Live in the spirit of this creed; Yet seek thy firm support, [5] according to their need.
I, loving freedom, and untried; 25 No sport of every random gust, Yet being to myself a guide, Too blindly have reposed my trust: And oft, when in my heart was heard Thy timely mandate, I deferred 30 The task, in smoother walks to stray; [6]
But thee I now [7] would serve more strictly, if I may.
Through no disturbance of my soul, Or strong compunction in me wrought, I supplicate for thy control; 35 But in the quietness of thought: Me this unchartered freedom tires; [C]
I feel the weight of chance-desires: My hopes no more must change their name, I long for a repose that [8] ever is the same. 40 [9]
Stern Lawgiver! yet thou dost wear The G.o.dhead"s most benignant grace; Nor know we any thing so [10] fair As is the smile upon thy face: [D]
Flowers laugh before thee on their beds 45 And fragrance in thy footing treads; [E]
Thou dost preserve the stars from wrong; And the most ancient heavens, through Thee, are fresh and strong.
To humbler functions, awful Power!
I call thee: I myself commend 50 Unto thy guidance from this hour; Oh, let my weakness have an end!
Give unto me, made lowly wise, The spirit of self-sacrifice; The confidence of reason give; 55 And in the light of truth thy Bondman let me live! [F]
VARIANTS ON THE TEXT