If thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven by William Wordsworth
I’ve gone a little heavy on the Wordsworth lately, inspired by dear Father Tim from the Mitford series by Jan Karon. I finished the last book this morning so I have to share this one. I have more in my file, but I’ll spread them out for future posts.
If thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven
By William Wordsworth
If thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven,
Then, to the measure of that heaven-born light,
Shine, Poet! in thy place, and be content:—
The stars pre-eminent in magnitude,
And they that from the zenith dart their beams,
(Visible though they be to half the earth,
Though half a sphere be conscious of their brightness)
Are yet of no diviner origin,
No purer essence, than the one that burns,
Like an untended watch-fire, on the ridge
Of some dark mountain; or than those which seem
Humbly to hang, like twinkling winter lamps,
Among the branches of the leafless trees;
All are the undying offspring of one Sire:
Then, to the measure of the light vouchsafed,
Shine, Poet! in thy place, and be content.
Current Tea: Thai iced tea
