Addressed to Benjamin Robert Haydon + 

I + 

Great spirits now on earth are sojourning; + 

He of the cloud, the cataract, the lake, + 

Who on Helvellyn’s summit, wide awake, + 

Catches his freshness from Archangel’s wing: + 

He of the rose, the violet, the spring, + 

The social smile, the chain for Freedom’s sake: + 

And lo!⁠—whose steadfastness would never take + 

A meaner sound than Raphael’s whispering. + 

And other spirits there are standing apart + 

Upon the forehead of the age to come; + 

These, these will give the world another heart, + 

And other pulses. Hear ye not the hum + 

Of mighty workings in the human mart? + 

Listen awhile ye nations, and be dumb. + 

II + 

Highmindedness, a jealousy for good, + 

A loving-kindness for the great man’s fame, + 

Dwells here and there with people of no name, + 

In noisome alley, and in pathless wood: + 

And where we think the truth least understood, + 

Oft may be found a “singleness of aim,” + 

That ought to frighten into hooded shame + 

A money-mong’ring, pitiable brood. + 

How glorious this affection for the cause + 

Of steadfast genius, toiling gallantly! + 

What when a stout unbending champion awes + 

Envy, and Malice to their native sty? + 

Unnumber’d souls breathe out a still applause, + 

Proud to behold him in his country’s eye. + 