Ecclesiastical Sonnets - Part III. - XLIV - The Same

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!
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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.

Understanding the Sonnet

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:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

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.