From William Wordsworth's "Ode to Duty":
Though I'm pretty sure Wordsworth is reflecting on a concept of natural law in keeping with Deism, one may also read his work according to biblical definitions, in which case this poem speaks beautifully to the law in its third use.
Serene will be our days and bright,
And happy will our nature be,
When love is an unerring light,
And joy its own security.
And they a blissful course may hold
Even now, who, not unwisely bold,
Live in the spirit of this creed;
Yet seek thy firm support, according to their need.
I, loving freedom, and untried;
No sport of every random gust,
Yet being to myself a guide,
Too blindly have reposed my trust:
And oft, when in my heart was heard
Thy timely mandate, I deferred
The task, in smoother walks to stray;
But thee I now would serve more strictly, if I may.
Through no disturbance of my soul,
Or strong compunction in me wrought,
I supplicate for thy control;
But in the quietness of thought:
Me this unchartered freedom tires;
I feel the weight of chance-desires:
My hopes no more must change their name,
I long for a repose that is ever the same.
Though I'm pretty sure Wordsworth is reflecting on a concept of natural law in keeping with Deism, one may also read his work according to biblical definitions, in which case this poem speaks beautifully to the law in its third use.



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