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Poems in Two Volumes, Volume 1 by William Wordsworth
page 26 of 97 (26%)
Or left unthought-of in obscurity,
Who, with a toward or untoward lot,
Prosperous or adverse, to his wish or not,
Plays, in the many games of life, that one 70
Where what he most doth value must be won;
Whom neither shape of danger can dismay,
Nor thought of tender happiness betray;
Who, not content that former worth stand fast,
Looks forward, persevering to the last,
From well to better, daily self-surpast:
Who, whether praise of him must walk the earth
For ever, and to noble deeds give birth,
Or He must go to dust without his fame,
And leave a dead unprofitable name, 80
Finds comfort in himself and in his cause;
And, while the mortal mist is gathering, draws
His breath in confidence of Heaven's applause;
This is the happy Warrior; this is He
Whom every Man in arms should wish to be.

* * * * *

_The above Verses mere written soon after tidings had been
received of the Death of Lord Nelson, which event directed the
Author's thoughts to the subject. His respect for the memory of his
great fellow-countryman induces him to mention this; though he is
well aware that the Verses must suffer from any connection in the
Reader's mind with a Name so illustrious_.


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