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Home  »  The Complete Poetical Works by William Wordsworth  »  “THERE IS A BONDAGE WORSE, FAR WORSE, TO BEAR”

“THERE IS A BONDAGE WORSE, FAR WORSE, TO BEAR”


THERE is a bondage worse, far worse, to bear Than his who breathes, by roof, and floor, and wall, Pent in, a Tyrant’s solitary Thrall: ‘Tis his who walks about in the open air, One of a Nation who, henceforth, must wear Their fetters in their souls. For who could be, Who, even the best, in such condition, free From self-reproach, reproach that he must share With Human-nature? Never be it ours To see the sun how brightly it will shine, 10 And know that noble feelings, manly powers, Instead of gathering strength, must droop and pine; And earth with all her pleasant fruits and flowers Fade, and participate in man’s decline.