"AND IS IT AMONG RUDE UNTUTORED DALES"

William Wordsworth

AND is it among rude untutored Dales,

There, and there only, that the heart is true?

And, rising to repel or to subdue,

Is it by rocks and woods that man prevails?

Ah no! though Nature’s dread protection fails,

There is a bulwark in the soul. This knew

Iberian Burghers when the sword they drew

In Zaragoza, naked to the gales

Of fiercely-breathing war. The truth was felt

By Palafox, and many a brave compeer, 10

Like him of noble birth and noble mind;

By ladies, meek-eyed women without fear;

And wanderers of the street, to whom is dealt

The bread which without industry they find.

1809.