Thought of a Briton
On The Subjugation Of Switzerland
Thought of a Briton - meaning Summary
Liberty Silenced, Still Remaining
Wordsworth addresses Switzerland after its subjugation, contrasting two enduring natural voices—the sea and the mountains—that once symbolized liberty. He mourns the loss of freedom under a tyrant (the French invader) who has driven the Swiss from their Alpine homes, robbing them of one source of consolation. The speaker urges clinging to what remains of freedom and to the still-available sources of consolation in face of political defeat.
Read Complete AnalysesTWO Voices are there; one is of the sea, One of the mountains; each a mighty Voice: In both from age to age thou didst rejoice, They were thy chosen music, Liberty! There came a Tyrant, and with holy glee Thou fought'st against him; but hast vainly striven: Thou from thy Alpine holds at length art driven, Where not a torrent murmurs heard by thee. Of one deep bliss thine ear hath been bereft: Then cleave, O cleave to that which still is left; For, high-souled Maid, what sorrow would it be That Mountain floods should thunder as before, And Ocean bellow from his rocky shore, And neither awful Voice be heard by thee!
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