When, looking on the present face of things,

When, looking on the present face of things

October, 1803.

When, looking on the present face of things,
I see one Man, of Men the meanest too!
Rais'd up to sway the World, to do, undo,
With mighty Nations for his Underlings,
The great events with which old story rings
Seem vain and hollow; I find nothing great;
Nothing is left which I can venerate;
So that almost a doubt within me springs
Of Providence, such emptiness at length
Seems at the heart of all things. But, great God!
I measure back the steps which I have trod,
And tremble, seeing, as I do, the strength
Of such poor Instruments, with thoughts sublime
I tremble at the sorrow of the time.

Content of When, looking on the present face of things, [William Wordsworth's poems: Part The Second - Sonnets Dedicated To Liberty]

Read next: To the Men of Kent. October, 1803

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Table of content of Part The Second - Sonnets Dedicated To Liberty


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