On Hearing The Messiah (Performed In Gloucester Cathedral, Sept. 18, 1835.)

By William Lisle Bowles

Sonnet
    Oh, stay, harmonious and sweet sounds, that die     In the long vaultings of this ancient fane!     Stay, for I may not hear on earth again     Those pious airs, that glorious harmony;     Lifting the soul to brighter orbs on high,     Worlds without sin or sorrow!     Ah, the strain     Has died, ev'n the last sounds that lingeringly     Hung on the roof ere they expired!     And I,     Stand in the world of strife, amidst a throng,     A throng that recks not or of death, or sin!     Oh, jarring scenes! to cease, indeed, ere long;     The worm hears not the discord and the din;     But he whose heart thrills to this angel song,     Feels the pure joy of heaven on earth begin!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is an exploration of the transient yet powerful impact of music, its ability to provide divine experiences, and its contrast with the harsh realities of life. The speaker entreats the harmonious, sweet sounds of a religious hymn to linger, as they provide a momentary escape from the earthly realm into a world devoid of sin or sorrow, symbolizing an idealistic, heavenly experience. This juxtaposition of the ethereal and the mundane is key to understanding the poem's theme.

The overall tone is melancholic, yet hopeful. The speaker mourns the fleeting nature of these beautiful sounds as they fade away, leaving him in a world of discord and strife. The poem's structure contributes to this emotional journey, beginning with a fervent plea to the music to remain, moving through a lamentation of its departure, and ending with a poignant reflection on its impact. The use of personification of the sounds 'dying' and the 'worm' oblivious to the discord is effective in highlighting the ephemerality of beauty and the inevitability of human ignorance, respectively. Despite the somber reality, the speaker finds solace in the music, suggesting that it offers a glimpse of heaven on earth. This poem, therefore, provides an enlightening discourse on the power of music as an emotional and spiritual refuge in a world marked by chaos and sin.

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.