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Home  »  The Complete Poetical Works by William Wordsworth  »  VI. PLEA FOR THE HISTORIAN

MEMORIALS OF A TOUR IN ITALY, 1837

VI. PLEA FOR THE HISTORIAN

MEMORIALS OF A TOUR IN ITALY, 1837


FORBEAR to deem the Chronicler unwise, Ungentle, or untouched by seemly ruth, Who, gathering up all that Time’s envious tooth Has spared of sound and grave realities, Firmly rejects those dazzling flatteries, Dear as they are to unsuspecting Youth, That might have drawn down Clio from the skies To vindicate the majesty of truth. Such was her office while she walked with men, A Muse, who, not unmindful of her Sire 10 All-ruling Jove, whate’er the theme might be Revered her Mother, sage Mnemosyne, And taught her faithful servants how the lyre Should animate, but not mislead, the pen.