William Wordsworth
“The French Revolution as It Appeared to Enthusiasts at Its Commencement,”
1809
“The French Revolution as It Appeared to Enthusiasts at Its Commencement,”
Oh! Pleasant exercise of hope and joy!
For mighty were the auxiliars, which then stood
Upon our side, we who were strong in love!
Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive,
But to be young was very heaven! Oh! Times,
In which the meager stale forbidding ways
Of custom, law, and statute, took at once
The attraction of a country in Romance!
When Reason seemed the most to assert her rights,
When most intent on making of herself
A prime enchanter to assist the work,
Which then was going forward in her name!
Not favored spots alone, but the whole earth
The beauty wore of promise—that which sets
(To take an image which was felt no doubt
Among the bowers of Paradise itself)
The budding rose above the rose full blown,
What temper at the prospect did not wake
To happiness unthought of? The inert
Were roused, and lively natures rapt away!
