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 snow-drops that together cling,
And nod their helmets smitten by the wing
Of many a furious whirlblast 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 immortal Theban band,
Whom onset, fiercely urged at Jove's command,
Might overwhelm, but could not separate!


About this poem
"On Seeing a Tuft of Snowdrops in a Storm" was published in William Wordsworth's book "The River Duddon" (1820).

About William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, Cumbria, England, on April 7, 1770. His most famous work, "The Prelude" (1850), is considered to be one of the most important achievements of English Romanticism.

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This poem is in the public domain. Distributed by King Features Syndicate