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

A PLEA FOR AUTHORS, MAY 1838

Failing impartial measure to dispense

To every suitor, Equity is lame;

And social Justice, stript of reverence

For natural rights, a mockery and a shame;

Law but a servile dupe of false pretence,

If, guarding grossest things from common claim

Now and for ever, She, to works that came[189]

From mind and spirit, grudge a short-lived fence.

"What! lengthened privilege, a lineal tie,

For Books!" Yes, heartless Ones, or be it proved

That 'tis a fault in Us to have lived and loved

Like others, with like temporal hopes to die;

No public harm that Genius from her course

Be turned; and streams of truth dried up, even at their source![190]

[189] 1838.

{If} failing one strict measure to dispense

{When}

To all her suitors Equity is lame,

And social justice by fit reverence

Of natural right unswayed is but a name,

MS.

{Law but} the servile dupe of false pretence,

{And Law}

MS.


{When} guarding grossest things from common claim

{If} Now, and for ever, She for work that came

MS.

... lame,

Justice unswayed, unmoved by reverence

For natural right {what is she but a name?}
                                 
                                  {is but an empty name, }

MS.

[190] 1838.

... from its course

Be turned, and streams of truth dried at their source.

MS.

From mind and spirit grudge a short-lived fence.

But no--{our} sages join in banded force

{the}

{That} books by right or wrong {may} glad the isle

{With}                                                    {to}

Say, {would} this serve the {future should our} course

          {can }                                  {people if the }

{Of pure domestic hopes be checked the while}

{Of prejudice be less opposed the while }

{Should} toil-worn Genius want a cheering smile

{If }

And streams of truth be dried up at their source?

MS.


Out of the mind grudges a short-lived fence.

{But no--the Sages join in banded force }

{And how preposterous Sages is your course}

Who cry give books free passage thro' the isle.

{Say can this serve the people of our isle, }

{By right or wrong, for better or for worse,}

Friends to the people, what care ye the while

Tho' toil-worn genius want a cheering smile

And far-fetched truth be dried up at her source?

MS.