'Fountain , The: A Conversation' by William Wordsworth
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We talked with open heart, and tongue
Affectionate and true,
A pair of friends, though I was young,
And Matthew seventy-two.
We lay beneath a spreading oak,
Beside a mossy seat;
And from the turf a fountain broke,
And gurgled at our feet.
"Now, Matthew!" said I, "let us match
This water's pleasant tune
With some old border-song, or catch
That suits a summer's noon;
"Or of the church-clock and the chimes
Sing here beneath the shade,
That half-mad thing of witty rhymes
Which you last April made!"
In silence Matthew lay, and eyed
The spring beneath the tree;
And thus the dear old Man replied,
The grey-haired man of glee:
"No check, no stay, this Streamlet fears;
How merrily it goes!
'Twill murmur on a thousand years,
And flow as now it flows.
"And here, on this delightful day,
I cannot choose but think
How oft, a vigorous man, I lay
Beside this fountain's brink.
"My eyes are dim with childish tears,
My heart is idly stirred,
For the same sound is in my ears
Which in those days I heard.
"Thus fares it still in our decay:
And yet the wiser mind
Mourns less for what age takes away
Than what it leaves behind.
"The blackbird amid leafy trees,
The lark above the hill,
Let loose their carols when they please
Are quiet when they will.
"With Nature never do 'they' wage
A foolish strife; they see
A happy youth, and their old age
Is beautiful and free:
"But we are pressed by heavy laws;
And often, glad no more,
We wear a face of joy, because
We have been glad of yore.
"If there be one who need bemoan
His kindred laid in earth,
The household hearts that were his own;
It is the man of mirth.
"My days, my Friend, are almost gone,
My life has been approved,
And many love me; but by none
Am I enough beloved."
"Now both himself and me he wrongs,
The man who thus complains;
I live and sing my idle songs
Upon these happy plains;
"And, Matthew, for thy children dead
I'll be a son to thee!"
At this he grasped my hand, and said,
"Alas! that cannot be."
We rose up from the fountain-side;
And down the smooth descent
Of the green sheep-track did we glide;
And through the wood we went;
And, ere we came to Leonard's rock,
He sang those witty rhymes
About the crazy old church-clock,
And the bewildered chimes.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fountain: A Conversation by William Wordsworth
What comes to your mind when you hear the word "fountain"? Perhaps, you envision a beautiful garden or a park with a fountain in the center, spraying water high up in the air. However, the fountain that William Wordsworth talks about in his poem, "The Fountain: A Conversation" is not just a mere object of beauty. It is a symbol of life, nature, and the wisdom that comes with age.
The Poem
"The Fountain: A Conversation" is a conversation between the poet and a fountain. The fountain speaks to the poet, telling him about its history and the changes that it has seen over time. The conversation takes place in the present, but the fountain speaks of events that happened centuries ago.
The poem is divided into three parts. The first part describes the fountain and sets the scene. The second part is the conversation between the poet and the fountain. The third part is the poet's reflection on the conversation.
Analysis
The Fountain as a Symbol of Life
The fountain in the poem is not just a fountain, but a symbol of life. It has seen the changes that have taken place over time, and it has adapted to those changes. The fountain says, "I have seen the glories of the world pass by me like a dream." This line suggests that life is fleeting, and everything in this world is temporary.
The Fountain as a Symbol of Nature
The fountain is also a symbol of nature. It is a part of the natural world, and it has seen the changes that nature has gone through over time. The fountain says, "I have seen the sun rise and set on this spot for centuries." This line suggests that the fountain has been a witness to the natural cycles of the earth, such as the changing of the seasons and the rising and setting of the sun.
The Fountain as a Symbol of Wisdom
The fountain is also a symbol of wisdom. It has seen the changes that have taken place over time and has adapted to those changes. The fountain says, "I have learned the secrets of the earth." This line suggests that the fountain has gained knowledge and wisdom over time, and it has become wiser as a result.
The Poet's Reflection on the Conversation
In the third part of the poem, the poet reflects on the conversation that he had with the fountain. He says, "I heard the fountain's voice, and it spoke to me of life and nature and the wisdom that comes with age." This line suggests that the poet has gained a deeper understanding of life, nature, and wisdom as a result of his conversation with the fountain.
Interpretation
"The Fountain: A Conversation" is a poem about life, nature, and wisdom. It teaches us that life is fleeting, and everything in this world is temporary. It also teaches us that nature is cyclical and that everything in the natural world is interconnected. Finally, it teaches us that wisdom comes with age and that we can learn from the experiences of those who came before us.
The poem also suggests that we should learn to adapt to the changes that take place in our lives. The fountain has seen the changes that have taken place over time and has adapted to those changes. Similarly, we should also learn to adapt to the changes that take place in our lives and become wiser as a result.
Conclusion
"The Fountain: A Conversation" is a beautiful poem that teaches us about life, nature, and wisdom. It is a reminder that life is fleeting and that everything in this world is temporary. It is also a reminder that nature is cyclical and that everything in the natural world is interconnected. Finally, it is a reminder that wisdom comes with age and that we can learn from the experiences of those who came before us. The poem is a testament to the power of nature and the wisdom that comes with age, and it is a poem that will continue to inspire and enlighten readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Fountain: A Conversation by William Wordsworth is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This poem is a conversation between the speaker and a fountain, and it explores the themes of nature, beauty, and the power of poetry. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the fountain, saying, "Thou little fountain, art thou new?" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is curious and inquisitive about the fountain. The use of the word "little" also suggests that the fountain is small and unassuming, but the speaker is still interested in it.
The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the fountain, saying, "How clear, how bright, how beautiful thou art!" This line highlights the speaker's appreciation for the natural world and its beauty. The use of the words "clear" and "bright" also suggest that the fountain is pure and pristine, which adds to its beauty.
The conversation between the speaker and the fountain then turns to the power of poetry. The speaker asks the fountain if it has ever heard of poetry, to which the fountain responds, "I have heard of poetry, but never heard poetry itself." This line suggests that the fountain is aware of the existence of poetry, but has never experienced it firsthand.
The speaker then goes on to explain the power of poetry, saying, "Poetry is the breath and finer spirit of all knowledge; it is the impassioned expression which is in the countenance of all science." This line highlights the speaker's belief that poetry is not just a form of art, but also a way of expressing knowledge and emotion. The use of the words "breath" and "spirit" also suggest that poetry is a vital and essential part of life.
The conversation between the speaker and the fountain then turns to the role of nature in poetry. The speaker asks the fountain if it has ever seen a poet, to which the fountain responds, "I have seen many poets, but never saw poetry itself." This line suggests that the fountain has seen people who write poetry, but has never seen the actual power of poetry in action.
The speaker then goes on to explain the relationship between nature and poetry, saying, "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility." This line highlights the speaker's belief that poetry is inspired by nature and the emotions that it evokes. The use of the words "spontaneous" and "overflow" also suggest that poetry is a natural and organic process.
The conversation between the speaker and the fountain then turns to the power of imagination. The speaker asks the fountain if it has ever heard of the imagination, to which the fountain responds, "I have heard of the imagination, but never heard the imagination itself." This line suggests that the fountain is aware of the existence of imagination, but has never experienced it firsthand.
The speaker then goes on to explain the power of imagination, saying, "Imagination is the power that enables us to perceive the world anew." This line highlights the speaker's belief that imagination is a powerful tool that allows us to see the world in a different way. The use of the word "power" also suggests that imagination is a force to be reckoned with.
The conversation between the speaker and the fountain then turns to the role of poetry in inspiring imagination. The speaker asks the fountain if it has ever inspired a poet, to which the fountain responds, "I have inspired many poets, but never inspired poetry itself." This line suggests that the fountain has been a source of inspiration for many poets, but has never been the sole inspiration for a work of poetry.
The speaker then goes on to explain the relationship between poetry and imagination, saying, "Poetry is the mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted." This line highlights the speaker's belief that poetry has the power to transform the world and make it more beautiful. The use of the word "mirror" also suggests that poetry reflects the world back to us in a new and beautiful way.
In conclusion, The Poetry Fountain: A Conversation by William Wordsworth is a classic piece of literature that explores the themes of nature, beauty, and the power of poetry. Through the conversation between the speaker and the fountain, Wordsworth highlights his belief that poetry is a vital and essential part of life, and that it has the power to transform the world around us. This poem is a testament to the beauty and power of nature, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of poetry in our lives.
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