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THE RIVER DUDDON: SONNET 28. JOURNEY RENEWED by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: I ROSE WHILE YET THE CATTLE, HEAT-OPPREST
Last Line: I THANKED THE LEADER OF MY ONWARD WAY.

I ROSE while yet the cattle, heat-opprest,
Crowded together under rustling trees
Brushed by the current of the water-breeze;
And for 'their' sakes, and love of all that rest,
On Duddon's margin, in the sheltering nest;
For all the startled scaly tribes that slink
Into his coverts, and each fearless link
Of dancing insects forged upon his breast;
For these, and hopes and recollections worn
Close to the vital seat of human clay;
Glad meetings, tender partings, that upstay
The drooping mind of absence, by vows sworn
In his pure presence near the trysting thorn --
I thanked the Leader of my onward way.




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