Another Year
Another Year - meaning Summary
Resilience After Empires Fall
Wordsworth responds to successive political defeats by insisting on self-reliance and moral renewal. The speaker frames collapsing empires as a chance to stop depending on external powers and to take responsibility for national safety and honor. Optimism is directed toward virtuous rulers and citizens who value wisdom, courage, and true patriotism rather than servility. The poem urges active, collective renewal: stand unpropped, work with one’s own hands, and choose leaders who understand honor.
Read Complete AnalysesAnother year! Another deadly blow! Another mighty Empire overthrown! And We are left, or shall be left, alone; The last that dare to struggle with the Foe. 'Tis well! from this day forward we shall know That in ourselves our safety must be sought; That by our own right hands it must be wrought; That we must stand unpropped, or be laid low. O dastard whom such foretaste doth not cheer! We shall exult, if they who rule the land Be men who hold its many blessings dear, Wise, upright, valiant; not a servile band, Who are to judge of danger which they fear, And honour which they do not understand.
November, 1806
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