Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON A HIGH PART OF THE COAST OF CUMBERLAND, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON A HIGH PART OF THE COAST OF CUMBERLAND, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The sun, that seemed so mildly to retire
Last Line: From finite cares, to rest absorbed in thee!
Variant Title(s): Evening Voluntaries: 2
Subject(s): Middle Age


(THE AUTHOR'S SIXTY-THIRD BIRTHDAY)

THE Sun, that seemed so mildly to retire,
Flung back from distant climes a streaming fire,
Whose blaze is now subdued to tender gleams,
Prelude of night's approach with soothing dreams.
Look round; -- of all the clouds not one is moving;
'Tis the still hour of thinking, feeling, loving.
Silent, and stedfast as the vaulted sky,
The boundless plain of waters seems to lie: --
Comes that low sound from breezes rustling o'er
The grass-crowned headland that conceals the shore?
No; 'tis the earth-voice of the mighty sea,
Whispering how meek and gentle he 'can' be!
Thou Power supreme! who, arming to rebuke
Offenders, dost put off the gracious look,
And clothe thyself with terrors like the flood
Of ocean roused into its fiercest mood,
Whatever discipline thy Will ordain
For the brief course that must for me remain;
Teach me with quick-eared spirit to rejoice
In admonitions of thy softest voice!
Whate'er the path these mortal feet may trace,
Breathe through my soul the blessing of thy grace,
Glad, through a perfect love, a faith sincere
Drawn from the wisdom that begins with fear,
Glad to expand; and, for a season, free
From finite cares, to rest absorbed in Thee!






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net