RECOLLECTION OF THE PORTRAIT OF KING HENRY EIGHTH, TRINITY LODGE,

By William Wordsworth

The imperial Stature, the colossal stride,

Are yet before me; yet do I behold

The broad full visage, chest of amplest mould,

The vestments‘ broidered with barbaric pride:

And lo! a poniard, at the Monarch's side,

Hangs ready to be grasped in sympathy

With the keen threatenings of that fulgent eye,

Below the white-rimmed bonnet, far-descried.

Who trembles now at thy capricious mood?

‘ Mid those surrounding Worthies, haughty King,

We rather think, with grateful mind sedate,

How Providence educeth, from the spring

Of lawless will, unlooked-for streams of good,

Which neither force shall check nor time abate!