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1770–1850

7. THE KING OF SWEDEN.

William Wordsworth

The Voice of Song from distant lands shall call To that great King; shall hail the crowned Youth Who, taking counsel of unbending Truth, By one example hath set forth to all

How they with dignity may stand; or fall, If fall they must. Now, whither doth it tend? And what to him and his shall be the end? That thought is one which neither can appal

Nor chear him; for the illustrious Swede hath done The thing which ought to be: He stands above All consequences: work he hath begun Of fortitude, and piety, and love,

Which all his glorious Ancestors approve: The Heroes bless him, him their rightful Son.

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7. THE KING OF SWEDEN. · William Wordsworth · Poetry Cove