On Landing At Ostend

By William Lisle Bowles

Sonnet
    The orient beam illumes the parting oar;     From yonder azure track, emerging white,     The earliest sail slow gains upon the sight,     And the blue wave comes rippling to the shore.     Meantime far off the rear of darkness flies:     Yet 'mid the beauties of the morn, unmoved,     Like one for ever torn from all he loved,     Back o'er the deep I turn my longing eyes,     And chide the wayward passions that rebel:     Yet boots it not to think, or to complain,     Musing sad ditties to the reckless main.     To dreams like these, adieu! the pealing bell     Speaks of the hour that stays not, and the day     To life's sad turmoil calls my heart away.

Share & Analyze This Poem

Spread the beauty of poetry or dive deeper into analysis

Analyze This Poem

Discover the literary devices, structure, and deeper meaning

Copy to Clipboard

Save this poem for personal use or sharing offline

Share the Love of Poetry
More Poems
More Sonnets
Daily Poem

Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem provides a vivid exploration of themes such as longing, transition, and the human struggle between staying and going. The poem opens with a beautiful depiction of a sunrise over the ocean, which sets a serene and tranquil tone. The use of words like "orient beam," "azure track," and "blue wave" contribute to the visual and atmospheric imagery, drawing readers into a peaceful seascape. However, this calmness is disrupted as the speaker reveals their inner turmoil and emotional distress.

The structure of the poem is noteworthy, with the first half capturing the calmness of dawn and the second half revealing the speaker's emotional struggle. It's a clear demarcation between the external environment and the speaker's internal state. The poet employs a standout literary device, the metaphor of the "parting oar" and "earliest sail," to symbolize leaving or parting. This departure is not physical but emotional, as implied by the phrase "torn from all he loved." The speaker's "longing eyes" and "wayward passions" suggest a deep sense of loss and longing. The last lines highlight the inevitability of time and the call to return to life's struggles, ending the poem on a note of resignation and acceptance. The poet masterfully intertwines the tranquil natural world with the turbulent emotional world, creating a poignant and thought-provoking piece.

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.