THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

1847 -- ODE, PERFORMED IN THE SENATE HOUSE, CAMBRIDGE, ON THE 6TH OF JULY, 1847.

AT THE FIRST COMMENCEMENT AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE ALBERT, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY.[429]


INSTALLATION ODE

Composed 1847.--Published 1847.

                                                       INTRODUCTION AND CHORUS

For thirst of power that Heaven disowns,

For temples, towers, and thrones,

Too long insulted by the Spoiler's shock,

       Indignant Europe cast
 
       Her stormy foe at last

To reap the whirlwind on a Libyan rock.

                                                  SOLO.--TENOR

                           War is passion's basest game

                           Madly played to win a name;

Up starts some tyrant, Earth and Heaven to dare;

                           The servile million bow;

But will the lightning glance aside to spare

                           The Despot's laurelled brow?

                                           CHORUS

War is mercy, glory, fame,

Waged in Freedom's holy cause;

Freedom, such as Man may claim

Under God's restraining laws.

Such is Albion's fame and glory:

Let rescued Europe tell the story.

                                  RECIT. (_accompanied_).--CONTRALTO

But lo, what sudden cloud has darkened all

                      The land as with a funeral pall?

The Rose of England suffers blight,

The flower has drooped, the Isle's delight,

                     Flower and bud together fall--

A Nation's hopes lie crushed in Claremont's desolate hall.

                                  AIR.--SOPRANO

Time a chequered mantle wears;--

               Earth awakes from wintry sleep;

Again the Tree a blossom bears,--

               Cease, Britannia, cease to weep!

Hark to the peals on this bright May-morn!

They tell that your future Queen is born!

                             SOPRANO SOLO AND CHORUS

                     A Guardian Angel fluttered

                     Above the Babe, unseen;