And what if she had seen those glories fade,
Those titles vanish, and that strength decay,— 10
Yet shall some tribute of regret be paid
When her long life hath reached its final day:
Men are we, and must grieve when even the shade
Of that which once was great has passed away.
William Wordsworth.
CCX
COMPOSED BY THE SEA-SIDE, NEAR CALAIS, AUGUST, 1802.
Fair Star of Evening, Splendour of the West,
Star of my country!—on the horizon’s brink