To The River Itchin

Author: William Lisle Bowles

    Itchin! when I behold thy banks again,
    Thy crumbling margin, and thy silver breast,
    On which the self-same tints still seem to rest,
    Why feels my heart a shivering sense of pain!
    Is it, that many a summer's day has past
    Since, in life's morn, I carolled on thy side!
    Is it, that oft since then my heart has sighed,
    As Youth, and Hope's delusive gleams, flew fast!
    Is it, that those who gathered on thy shore,
    Companions of my youth, now meet no more!
    Whate'er the cause, upon thy banks I bend,
    Sorrowing; yet feel such solace at my heart,
    As at the meeting of some long-lost friend,
    From whom, in happier hours, we wept to part.
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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

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Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a poignant exploration of the themes of nostalgia, loss, and the passage of time. The poet's return to the familiar banks, described with an intimate fondness, incites a shivering sense of pain, suggesting a complicated relationship with the past. The crumbling margin and silver breast of the banks can be interpreted as symbols of the perpetual nature of nature and time, against which the transience of human life and emotions stand starkly contrasted.

The tone of the poem is melancholic and introspective, reflected in the recurring questions that drive the narrative. These questions indicate a struggle to understand the source of the speaker’s sorrow upon revisiting the banks. The poet contemplates whether it's the passage of time, the fading of youth and hope, or the absence of former companions that causes this sorrow. The structure of the poem, with its progression from external observation to internal reflection, effectively mirrors this introspective journey. The concluding lines introduce a note of comfort; despite the pain, there's solace in this revisiting, likened to meeting a long-lost friend. This juxtaposition of pain and comfort, loss and reunion, adds a profound depth to the poem, making it a resonant piece of reflective poetry.

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.