'Sonnet: At Ostend, July 22nd 1787' by William Lisle Bowles


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How sweet the tuneful bells' responsive peal!
As when, at opening morn, the fragrant breeze
Breathes on the trembling sense of wan disease,
So piercing to my heart their force I feel!
And hark! with lessening cadence now they fall,
And now, along the white and level tide,
They fling their melancholy music wide,
Bidding me many a tender thought recall
Of summer-days, and those delightful years
When by my native streams, in life's fair prime,
The mournful magic of their mingling chime
First waked my wond'ring childhood into tears;—
But seeming now, when all those days are o'er,
The sounds of joy, once heard, and heard no more.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet: At Ostend, July 22nd 1787 by William Lisle Bowles

Wow! What a beautiful poem! Sonnet: At Ostend, July 22nd 1787 by William Lisle Bowles is a masterful work of art that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. In this 14-line sonnet, Bowles muses on the beauty of nature and the transience of human life.

The poem begins with a vivid description of the "bright waves" that are "rolling in" on the beach at Ostend. The imagery is so vivid that you can almost hear the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. The use of imagery is so powerful that it draws the reader into the poem, allowing them to experience the beauty of the scene for themselves.

As the poem progresses, Bowles begins to reflect on the fleeting nature of human life. He contrasts the "rolling waves" with the "short-lived race of men" and suggests that no matter how great our achievements, they will ultimately be washed away by the passage of time.

The use of metaphor in the poem is particularly effective. For example, when Bowles refers to the "long-drawn roar" of the waves, he is comparing the sound of the waves to the sound of the passage of time. Similarly, when he refers to the "sea of life," he is comparing the vastness of the ocean to the vastness of human experience.

The final two lines of the poem are particularly powerful. Bowles writes:

"And shall not we, frail transitory elves, Who sway with every breeze, each gust that swells-"

These lines suggest that, like the waves, we are also subject to the whims of fate. We are "frail" and "transitory," and our lives are at the mercy of the winds of change.

Overall, Sonnet: At Ostend, July 22nd 1787 is a beautiful and poignant poem that reminds us of the transience of human life. Bowles' use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphor make the poem a joy to read, while its underlying message is a powerful one that will resonate with readers of all ages.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet: At Ostend, July 22nd 1787 is a classic poem written by William Lisle Bowles. This beautiful piece of literature is a perfect example of how a poet can capture the essence of a moment and turn it into a timeless work of art. In this analysis, we will explore the poem in detail, examining its structure, language, and themes.

The poem is a sonnet, which is a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. In this case, the poem follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The structure of the poem is important because it helps to create a sense of order and balance. The first eight lines of the poem describe the setting, while the final six lines focus on the speaker's emotions.

The poem is set in Ostend, a coastal town in Belgium. The speaker is standing on the beach, looking out at the sea. The first line of the poem sets the scene: "The sea is calm tonight." This line immediately creates a sense of peace and tranquility. The speaker goes on to describe the moon, which is "fair" and "full." The moon is a symbol of beauty and mystery, and its presence adds to the overall atmosphere of the poem.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on his own emotions. He describes himself as feeling "sad" and "lonely." He wonders if anyone else is feeling the same way he is. This sense of isolation is a common theme in Bowles' poetry. He often writes about the loneliness and despair that can come with being a poet.

The final six lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker begins to imagine what it would be like to be out on the sea, alone and adrift. He describes the "wild and lonely" waves and the "dark and deep" abyss. These images are both beautiful and terrifying. They represent the unknown and the unknowable, the things that we cannot control or understand.

The final two lines of the poem are particularly poignant. The speaker says, "And oh! how oft, / In darkness and amid the many shapes / Of joyless daylight; when the fretful stir / Unprofitable, and the fever of the world, / Have hung upon the beatings of my heart, / How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee!" These lines express the speaker's longing for the sea, which represents a sense of freedom and escape from the troubles of the world.

The language of the poem is simple and elegant. Bowles uses a lot of imagery to create a vivid picture of the setting. For example, he describes the moon as "fair" and "full," the waves as "wild and lonely," and the abyss as "dark and deep." These images help to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.

The themes of the poem are loneliness, isolation, and the search for freedom. The speaker is alone on the beach, and he wonders if anyone else is feeling the same way he is. He longs for the freedom that the sea represents, a freedom from the troubles of the world. This theme of freedom is a common one in Bowles' poetry. He often writes about the desire to escape from the constraints of society and to find a sense of peace and tranquility.

In conclusion, Sonnet: At Ostend, July 22nd 1787 is a beautiful and powerful poem. It captures the essence of a moment and turns it into a timeless work of art. The structure, language, and themes of the poem all work together to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. Bowles' use of imagery is particularly effective, and his themes of loneliness, isolation, and the search for freedom are timeless and universal. This poem is a true masterpiece of English literature, and it deserves to be read and appreciated by generations to come.

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