Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Westminster Abbey" is a poem by the 19th-century Irish Catholic poet and antiquarian, Sir Samuel Ferguson. The poem is a reflective work, inspired by Ferguson's experience of hearing a weekday service at Westminster Abbey in London in September 1858.

Main Points: The poem opens with the speaker crossing from the gilded halls of state in England to the Western Minster's gate and amid the tombs of England's dead, he hears the Holy Scriptures read. He reflects on the age of the Abbey, noting that the walls and pillars have stood for nearly seven hundred years and the words the priest reads have been in existence since before the Great Flood and the time of Christ.

Ferguson marvels at the majesty and strength of the architecture, its harmonious colors, and its heavenward orientation. The sight invites his soul to embrace everything he sees and hears in the Abbey, dismissing pride and encouraging love for all. Yet, he does not forget his home or the humble graves at Dunagore or the humble bench of Gorman's Grange. He reflects that the Word of God brings comfort to simple and humble people as much as it does in grand settings like Westminster Abbey.

The poem concludes by emphasizing the universality of God's presence, stating that all are equal and poor before Him. The speaker assures that the poor will not lack for service or chant and the Gospel's joyful sound will find a fitting place, whether it be in the grandeur of Westminster Abbey or in a modest moorland glen. The poem ends by stating that what God values is the willingness to hear His word and the lifting of burdened hearts to Him, and He supplies the rest.

Poetic Details: The poem is written in rhyming couplets (AABB) and uses rich imagery to capture the majesty and glory of Westminster Abbey and the humble places of worship.

Devices: Ferguson uses various poetic devices like alliteration, metaphor, and personification throughout the poem. He also uses dialogue to express his thoughts and to convey the sentiments of humility and universality of God's Word.

Conclusion: "Westminster Abbey" is a thoughtful and reflective poem that explores themes of humility, spirituality, and universality. While it captures the awe and grandeur of Westminster Abbey, it equally emphasizes the importance and value of humbler settings for worship. The poem reflects Ferguson's belief in the power and importance of the Word of God, which brings comfort and solace to all, regardless of their status or location. Ferguson's poem transcends the historical divide between Catholics and Protestants, by emphasizing the universality of Christian worship and the power of the Word. It could also be seen as a statement about the commonalities that exist among different Christian traditions, despite their historical and theological differences.