[The Prose Works of William Wordsworth by William Wordsworth]@TWC D-Link bookThe Prose Works of William Wordsworth PREFACE 230/1026
In fact; the universal rising of the Peninsula, under the pressure and in the face of the most tremendous military power which ever existed, is evidence which cannot be too much insisted upon; and is decisive upon this subject, as involving a question of virtue and moral sentiment.
All ranks were penetrated with one feeling: instantaneous and universal was the acknowledgement.
If there have been since individual fallings-off; those have been caused by that kind of after-thoughts which are the bastard offspring of selfishness.
The matter was brought home to Spain; and no Spaniard has offended herein with a still conscience .-- It is to the worldlings of our own country, and to those who think without carrying their thoughts far enough, that I address myself.
Let them know, there is no true wisdom without imagination; no genuine sense;--that the man, who in this age feels no regret for the ruined honour of other Nations, must be poor in sympathy for the honour of his own Country; and that, if he be wanting here towards that which circumscribes the whole, he neither has--nor can have--social regard for the lesser communities which Country includes.
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