Poem by William Wordsworth

On Seeing a Tuft of Snowdrops in a Storm

When haughty expectations prostrate lie,
And grandeur crouches like a guilty thing,
Oft shall the lowly weak, till nature bring
Mature release, in fair society
Survive, and Fortune's utmost anger try;
Like these frail snowdrops that together cling,
And nod their helmets, smitten by the wing
Of many a furious whirl-blast sweeping by.
Observe the faithful flowers! if small to great
May lead the thoughts, thus struggling used to stand
The Emathian phalanx, nobly obstinate;
And so the bright immoral Theban band,
Whom onset, fiercely urged at Jove's command,
Might overwhelm, but could not separate! 

1. Upon the Sight of a Beautiful Picture Painted by Sir G. H. Beaumont, Bart
2. To the Memory of Raisley Calvert
3. Alice Fell, Or Poverty
4. The Sparrow's Nest
5. Ellen Irwin, Or the Braes of Kirtle

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