Fair Prime Of Life! Were It Enough To Gild

Author: William Wordsworth

Fair prime of life! were it enough to gild
With ready sunbeams every straggling shower;
And if an unexpected cloud should lower,
Swiftly thereon a rainbow’s arch were built.
If, while the brightest of the day was still,
The journey was fulfilled and the hours our own,
Then might we think we could not be alone.
But at the last we find, that, with the will
To follow all that makes a man to fear,
To thrill with joy, to shed the silent tear,
The heart is still a haunting mystery.
Ah! well for us, that we are taught to bear,
On ever-present want, the deep-breathed prayer
That brings our little aspirations nigh.
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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written: 1820-01-01

Date Published: 1820-01-01

Language: English

Keywords: Reflection, Life, Prime, Mystery

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher: W.Wordsworth

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: A sonnet that reflects on the prime of life, acknowledging the beauty and joy it brings, but also recognizing the enduring mystery of the heart. The poem suggests that life’s challenges and aspirations are met with the help of prayer and reflection.

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.