THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

XVI - CONTINUED

The world forsaken, all its busy cares

And stirring interests shunned with desperate flight,

All trust abandoned in the healing might

Of virtuous action; all that courage dares,

Labour accomplishes, or patience bears--

Those helps rejected, they, whose minds perceive

How subtly works man's weakness, sighs may heave

For such a One beset with cloistral snares.

Father of Mercy! rectify his view,

If with his vows this object ill agree;

Shed over it thy grace, and thus subdue[142]

Imperious passion in a heart set free:--

That earthly love may to herself be true,

Give him a soul that cleaveth unto thee.

[142] 1845.

... and so subdue

1842.