Quote#Nature
Great God! I'd rather be
Quote byWilliam Wordsworth · 1770–1850
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The World Is Too Much with Us, l. 9 (wr. 1802; pub. 1807).
English (original)
Great God! I'd rather be A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn; So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.
— William Wordsworth
More from William Wordsworth
Behold, within the leafy shade, Those bright blue eggs together laid! On me the chance-discovered sight Gleamed like a vision of delight.
Sweet childish days, that were as long As twenty days are now.
I travelled among unknown men, In lands beyond the sea; Nor, England! did I know till then What love I bore to thee.
Much converse do I find in thee, Historian of my infancy! Float near me; do not yet depart! Dead times revive in thee: Thou bring'st, gay creature as thou art! A solemn image to my heart.
She gave me eyes, she gave me ears; And humble cares,and delicate fears; A heart, the fountain of sweet tears; And love, and thought, and joy.
Like an army defeated The snow hath retreated, And now doth fare ill On the top of the bare hill; The Ploughboy is whooping—anon—anon! There's joy in the mountains: