The King of Sweden

Composed August, 1802.—Published 1807

The Poem

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The Voice of song from distant lands shall call
To that great King; shall hail the crownèd Youth
Who, taking counsel of unbending Truth,
By one example hath set forth to all
How they with dignity may stand; or fall,
If fall they must. Now, whither doth it tend?
And what to him and his shall be the end?
That thought is one which neither can appal
Nor cheer him; for the illustrious Swede hath done
The thing which ought to be; is raised above [2]
All consequences: work he hath begun
Of fortitude, and piety, and love,
Which all his glorious ancestors approve:
The heroes bless him, him their rightful son.
[Note]
[Contents 1802]
[Main Contents]
[1]
[2]

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[Variant 1:]

1807
... bold ... In 1838 only.

... bold ...

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