| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| George Crabbe. 1754–1832 |
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| 481. Late Wisdom |
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| WE'VE trod the maze of error round, | |
| Long wandering in the winding glade; | |
| And now the torch of truth is found, | |
| It only shows us where we strayed: | |
| By long experience taught, we know— | 5 |
| Can rightly judge of friends and foes; | |
| Can all the worth of these allow, | |
| And all the faults discern in those. | |
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| Now, 'tis our boast that we can quell | |
| The wildest passions in their rage, | 10 |
| Can their destructive force repel, | |
| And their impetuous wrath assuage.— | |
| Ah, Virtue! dost thou arm when now | |
| This bold rebellious race are fled? | |
| When all these tyrants rest, and thou | 15 |
| Art warring with the mighty dead? | |
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