Author: William Wordsworth
What awful perspective! while from our sight With gradual stealth the lateral windows hide Their portraitures, their stone-work glimmers, dyed In the soft checkerings of a sleepy light. Martyr, or King, or sainted Eremite, Whoe’er ye be, that thus, yourselves unseen, Imbue your prison-bars with solemn sheen, Shine on, until ye fade with coming Night! —But, from the arms of Silence—list! O list! The music bursteth into second life; The notes luxuriate, every stone is kissed By sound, or ghost of sound, in mazy strife; Heart-thrilling strains, that cast, before the eye Of the devout, a veil of ecstasy!
Type of Poem: Sonnet
Date Written: 1822-01-01
Date Published: 1822-01-01
Language: English
Keywords: Ecclesiastical Sonnets, Reflection, King's College Chapel, Music, Light
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher: W.Wordsworth
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: A sonnet from Part III of the Ecclesiastical Sonnets series where Wordsworth continues his reflection on King's College Chapel. The poem describes the interplay of light, shadow, and music within the chapel, creating a powerful and mystical experience for the observer, akin to a spiritual ecstasy.
The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.
Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:
The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.