Thursday, September 03, 2009

Composed upon Westminster Bridge


Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

A sight so touching in its majesty:
This city now doth, like a garment wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres and temples lie
Open unto the fields and to the sky,
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

Never did the sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendor, valley, rock or hill;

Ne'er saw I, never felt a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:

Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!


William Wordsworth's sonnet, "Composed upon Westminster Bridge" was written, a little over two hundred years ago, on this day!

Footnotes:

Image Courtesy - Wikipedia

Image Description - A view of the River Thames drawn by Augustus Pugin and Thomas Rowlandson for Ackermann's Microcosm of London (1808-11). Somerset House, St. Paul's Cathedral and London Bridge are shown.

30 comments:

  1. Hi ,
    I am a Londoner and must say that the words are so true. This bridge can be a sight to behold minus the human population.

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  2. awesome poem... and he described it obviously! Thanks for this words worth rakesh :)

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  3. Wonderful words,
    and so true :)))
    Thanks Rakesh ..

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  4. I dont understand poetry ! But still... :D :D :D

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  5. I didn't realise it was 200 years to the day...

    Nice pic to go with the words :-)

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  6. Nice image and I like that sonnet too :)

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  7. awesome..it seems like yesterday..this piece of verse is time less!!

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  8. Nice, it is a pity though that we are introduced to such poetry during schooling years, where we are not able to appreciate the feeling it emanates. There was one poem - The Night Journey, which I remember made a good impression upon me. I don't know who wrote it though...

    Destination Infinity

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  9. That's really a nice way of remembering the wonderful poem and the poet...

    Thanks for that :-)

    Cheers!

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  10. Abstract Scientist

    I'm sure your relished this sonnet and were able to identify with it, having seen the description, first hand!

    Thanks for your comments!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  11. Jeevan

    Many thanks for your interesting comment! Appreciate it!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  12. Shravan

    Thanks very much budd! Appreciate your gesture!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  13. Vimmuuu

    An accomplished singer not understanding poetry? Choice, perhaps, I assume?

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  14. CherryPie

    A little over 200 years, 207 to be precise!

    Thanks very much!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  15. Aria

    Thanks very much! Knew you'd like it!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  16. Brag

    Many thanks for your visit and comments, both of which are truly appreciated!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  17. Mohsin

    Indeed! Such is the magic of Wordsworth!

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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  18. DI

    Quite true! In school, I hated poetry, now its the opposite!

    Did U follow the link I left you with?

    Cheers

    Rakesh

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