INFLUENCE ABUSED

By William Wordsworth

Urged by Ambition, who with subtlest skill

Changes her means, the Enthusiast as a dupe

Shall soar, and as a hypocrite can stoop,

And turn the instruments of good to ill,

Moulding the credulous people to his will.

Such DUNSTAN:— from its Benedictine coop

Issues the master Mind,at whose fell swoop

The chaste affections tremble to fulfil

Their purposes. Behold, pre-signified,

The Might of spiritual sway! his thoughts, his dreams,

Do in the supernatural world abide:

So vaunt a throng of Followers, filled with pride

In what they see of virtues pushed to extremes,

And sorceries of talent misapplied.