William Wordsworth




If This Great World of Joy and Pain

          If this great world of joy and pain
            Revolve in one sure track;
          If freedom, set, will rise again,
            And virtue, flown, come back;
          Woe to the purblind crew who fill
            The heart with each day's care;
          Nor gain, from past or future, skill
            To bear, and to forbear!



spoken = Shelley Johnson