The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest / The writings of philosophers, poets, novelists, social reformers, and others who have voiced the struggle against social injustice; selected from twenty-five languages; covering a period of five thousand years

by Unknown

Written in London, September, 1802

By William Wordsworth

(One of the great sonnets of England’s poet of nature; 1770-1850. Poet laureate in 1843)

O friend! I know not which way I must look

For comfort, being, as I am, opprest

To think that now our life is only drest

For show; mean handy-work of craftsman, cook,

Or groom!—We must run glittering like a brook

In the open sunshine, or we are unblest;

The wealthiest man among us is the best;

No grandeur now in nature or in book

Delights us. Rapine, avarice, expense,

This is idolatry; and these we adore;

Plain living and high thinking are no more:

The homely beauty of the good old cause

Is gone; our peace, our fearful innocence,

And pure religion breathing household laws.