William Wordsworth’s poem Lines Written While Sailing in a Boat at Evening reflects his early poetic sensibilities and deep connection with nature. Though the title suggests that it was composed during a boat ride, Wordsworth later clarified that the inspiration actually came from a solitary walk along the River Cam, though he set the scene on the Thames near Windsor. Originally part of a longer poem that included Remembrance of Collins, this piece was separated based on a suggestion from his close friend and fellow poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
This poem embodies Wordsworth’s characteristic themes—his admiration for nature’s beauty, the fleeting nature of time, and the contrast between youthful optimism and inevitable sorrow. It was first published in 1798 as Lines Written Near Richmond, Upon the Thames, at Evening, and later categorized among his “Poems Written in Youth.” The poem showcases Wordsworth’s Romantic ideals, where natural landscapes evoke deep emotional and philosophical reflections. Through rich imagery and gentle melancholy, the poem explores the human tendency to be enchanted by fleeting moments of beauty, despite the certainty of change and loss.
Also Read: Poets and Poetry Page | Biography of William Wordsworth | Poems by William Wordsworth | Famous Quotes by William Wordsworth
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The Poem: Lines Written While Sailing in a Boat at Evening
How richly glows the water’s breast
Lines Written While Sailing in a Boat at Evening
Before us, tinged with evening hues,
While, facing thus the crimson west,
The boat her silent course pursues!
And see how dark the backward stream!
A little moment past so smiling!
And still, perhaps, with faithless gleam,
Some other loiterers beguiling.
Such views the youthful Bard allure;
But, heedless of the following gloom,
He deems their colours shall endure
Till peace go with him to the tomb.
—And let him nurse his fond deceit,
And what if he must die in sorrow!
Who would not cherish dreams so sweet,
Though grief and pain may come to-morrow?
A Poem by William Wordsworth
Summary of Lines Written While Sailing in a Boat at Evening
William Wordsworth’s poem Lines Written While Sailing in a Boat at Evening reflects his early poetic sensibilities and deep connection with nature. Though the title suggests that it was composed during a boat ride, Wordsworth later clarified that the inspiration actually came from a solitary walk along the River Cam, though he set the scene on the Thames near Windsor. Originally part of a longer poem that included Remembrance of Collins, this piece was separated based on a suggestion from his close friend and fellow poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
This poem embodies Wordsworth’s characteristic themes—his admiration for nature’s beauty, the fleeting nature of time, and the contrast between youthful optimism and inevitable sorrow. It was first published in 1798 as Lines Written Near Richmond, Upon the Thames, at Evening, and later categorized among his “Poems Written in Youth.” The poem showcases Wordsworth’s Romantic ideals, where natural landscapes evoke deep emotional and philosophical reflections.
With its serene imagery and introspective tone, the poem reminds us of the ephemeral nature of joy and the passage of time. Yet, it also celebrates the beauty of fleeting moments, urging us to cherish them, even if sorrow may follow. In this way, Lines Written While Sailing in a Boat at Evening is not just a reflection on nature but also a meditation on life itself—one that continues to resonate with readers who find solace in the transient beauty of the world around them.
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