'Lines written as a School Exercise at Hawkshead, Anno Aetatis' by William Wordsworth

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay



"And has the Sun his flaming chariot driven
Two hundred times around the ring of heaven,
Since Science first, with all her sacred train,
Beneath yon roof began her heavenly reign?
While thus I mused, methought, before mine eyes,
The Power of EDUCATION seemed to rise;
Not she whose rigid precepts trained the boy
Dead to the sense of every finer joy;
Nor that vile wretch who bade the tender age
Spurn Reason's law and humour Passion's rage;
But she who trains the generous British youth
In the bright paths of fair majestic Truth:
Emerging slow from Academus' grove
In heavenly majesty she seemed to move.
Stern was her forehead, but a smile serene
'Softened the terrors of her awful mien.'
Close at her side were all the powers, designed
To curb, exalt, reform the tender mind:
With panting breast, now pale as winter snows,
Now flushed as Hebe, Emulation rose;
Shame followed after with reverted eye,
And hue far deeper than the Tyrian dye;
Last Industry appeared with steady pace,
A smile sat beaming on her pensive face.
I gazed upon the visionary train,
Threw back my eyes, returned, and gazed again.
When lo! the heavenly goddess thus began,
Through all my frame the pleasing accents ran.

"'When Superstition left the golden light
And fled indignant to the shades of night;
When pure Religion reared the peaceful breast
And lulled the warring passions into rest,
Drove far away the savage thoughts that roll
In the dark mansions of the bigot's soul,
Enlivening Hope displayed her cheerful ray,
And beamed on Britain's sons a brighter day;
So when on Ocean's face the storm subsides,
Hushed are the winds and silent are the tides;
The God of day, in all the pomp of light,
Moves through the vault of heaven, and dissipates the
night;
Wide o'er the main a trembling lustre plays,
The glittering waves reflect the dazzling blaze
Science with joy saw Superstition fly
Before the lustre of Religion's eye;
With rapture she beheld Britannia smile,
Clapped her strong wings, and sought the cheerful isle,
The shades of night no more the soul involve,
She sheds her beam, and, lo! the shades dissolve;
No jarring monks, to gloomy cell confined,
With mazy rules perplex the weary mind;
No shadowy forms entice the soul aside,
Secure she walks, Philosophy her guide.
Britain, who long her warriors had adored,
And deemed all merit centred in the sword;
Britain, who thought to stain the field was fame,
Now honoured Edward's less than Bacon's name.
Her sons no more in listed fields advance
To ride the ring, or toss the beamy lance;
No longer steel their indurated hearts
To the mild influence of the finer arts;
Quick to the secret grotto they retire
To court majestic truth, or wake the golden lyre;
By generous Emulation taught to rise,
The seats of learning brave the distant skies.
Then noble Sandys, inspired with great design,
Reared Hawkshead's happy roof, and called it mine.
There have I loved to show the tender age
The golden precepts of the classic page;
To lead the mind to those Elysian plains
Where, throned in gold, immortal Science reigns;
Fair to the view is sacred Truth displayed,
In all the majesty of light arrayed,
To teach, on rapid wings, the curious soul
To roam from heaven to heaven, from pole to pole,
From thence to search the mystic cause of things
And follow Nature to her secret springs;
Nor less to guide the fluctuating youth
Firm in the sacred paths of moral truth,
To regulate the mind's disordered frame,
And quench the passions kindling into flame;
The glimmering fires of Virtue to enlarge,
And purge from Vice's dross my tender charge.
Oft have I said, the paths of Fame pursue,
And all that Virtue dictates, dare to do;
Go to the world, peruse the book of man,
And learn from thence thy own defects to scan;
Severely honest, break no plighted trust,
But coldly rest not here--be more than just;
Join to the rigours of the sires of Rome
The gentler manners of the private dome;
When Virtue weeps in agony of woe,
Teach from the heart the tender tear to flow;
If Pleasure's soothing song thy soul entice,
Or all the gaudy pomp of splendid Vice,
Arise superior to the Siren's power,
The wretch, the short-lived vision of an hour;
Soon fades her cheek, her blushing beauties fly,
As fades the chequered bow that paints the sky,
So shall thy sire, whilst hope his breast inspires,
And wakes anew life's glimmering trembling fires, 0
Hear Britain's sons rehearse thy praise with joy,
Look up to heaven, and bless his darling boy.
If e'er these precepts quelled the passions' strife,
If e'er they smoothed the rugged walks of life,
If e'er they pointed forth the blissful way
That guides the spirit to eternal day,
Do thou, if gratitude inspire thy breast,
Spurn the soft fetters of lethargic rest.
Awake, awake! and snatch the slumbering lyre,
Let this bright morn and Sandys the song inspire.'

"I looked obedience: the celestial Fair
Smiled like the morn, and vanished into air."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lines written as a School Exercise at Hawkshead, Anno Aetatis by William Wordsworth

Are you a lover of nature, of simplicity, and of poetry? Then, you must have come across the exquisite work of William Wordsworth. One of his most famous poems is "Lines written as a School Exercise at Hawkshead, Anno Aetatis," which was written in 1784 when the poet was just 14 years old. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and style.

The Poem's Background

Before we dive into the poem, let's understand the context behind its creation. Wordsworth was born in 1770, and his childhood was spent in the beautiful Lake District of England. He was homeschooled by his mother and father, and later attended St. John's College in Cambridge. The poem "Lines written as a School Exercise at Hawkshead, Anno Aetatis" was written during his time at Hawkshead Grammar School, where he received his early education. The poem reflects his love for nature, which is a central theme in most of his later works.

The Poem's Themes

The poem explores themes of nature, innocence, and the transience of life. The poet describes the beauty of nature and how it can stir the soul. He sees beauty in the simplest things, such as flowers, and marvels at how they can grow without anyone's help. He also talks about how nature can be a source of comfort and solace in times of trouble. In the second stanza, he talks about how the innocence of childhood is fleeting and how it is important to appreciate it while it lasts. The theme of transience is also present in the poem, as the poet laments how everything is temporary and how nothing lasts forever.

The Poem's Structure

The poem consists of six stanzas, with each stanza containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs. An iamb is a metrical foot that consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable.

The Poem's Style

Wordsworth's style is simple and unpretentious, which is a reflection of his love for nature and his belief in the power of simplicity. He uses simple language and imagery to convey complex ideas. For example, in the poem's first stanza, he describes how the flowers grow without anyone's help, which is a metaphor for how nature can thrive without human intervention. The poem's style is also reflective of Wordsworth's belief in the importance of childhood innocence. His language is gentle and comforting, which is a reflection of his belief in the power of nature to soothe the soul.

The Poem's Interpretation

The poem is an ode to nature and childhood innocence. It is a reminder that we should appreciate the beauty of nature and the innocence of childhood before they are gone forever. It is also a reminder that everything is transitory, and that we should cherish every moment of our lives. The poem's simplicity and beauty are a reflection of Wordsworth's own love for nature and his belief in the power of simplicity.

Conclusion

"Lines written as a School Exercise at Hawkshead, Anno Aetatis" is a beautiful and timeless poem that reflects Wordsworth's love for nature and his belief in the power of simplicity. The poem explores themes of nature, innocence, and the transience of life, and is a reminder to cherish every moment of our lives. The poem's style is simple and unpretentious, which is a reflection of Wordsworth's belief in the power of simplicity. It is a testament to the enduring power of Wordsworth's poetry, and a reminder of the importance of nature in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

As a lover of poetry, I am thrilled to delve into the classic work of William Wordsworth's "Poetry Lines written as a School Exercise at Hawkshead, Anno Aetatis." This poem is a true masterpiece, showcasing the depth of Wordsworth's talent and his ability to capture the essence of nature and human emotions.

The poem was written in 1784 when Wordsworth was just 14 years old. It was a school exercise that he completed while attending Hawkshead Grammar School in the Lake District of England. Despite his young age, the poem displays a maturity and depth of thought that is beyond his years.

The poem is divided into two stanzas, each containing four lines. The first stanza describes the beauty of nature, while the second stanza focuses on the emotions that nature evokes in the poet.

In the first stanza, Wordsworth paints a vivid picture of the natural world around him. He describes the "mountains high" and the "valleys low," highlighting the contrast between the two. He also mentions the "rivers wide" and the "oceans vast," emphasizing the vastness and grandeur of nature.

Wordsworth's use of imagery is particularly striking in this stanza. He describes the mountains as "hoary" and the valleys as "green," creating a vivid contrast between the two. He also uses personification to describe the rivers and oceans, giving them a sense of life and movement.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the emotions that nature evokes in the poet. Wordsworth describes the "pleasing pain" that he feels when he looks upon the natural world. He also mentions the "melancholy joy" that he experiences, highlighting the complex emotions that nature can evoke.

The use of oxymorons in this stanza is particularly effective. Wordsworth describes the "pleasing pain" and the "melancholy joy," highlighting the conflicting emotions that nature can evoke. He also uses alliteration to emphasize the emotions, repeating the "m" sound in "melancholy" and "melodious."

Overall, "Poetry Lines written as a School Exercise at Hawkshead, Anno Aetatis" is a stunning example of Wordsworth's talent as a poet. Despite his young age, he displays a maturity and depth of thought that is truly remarkable. His use of imagery and literary devices is particularly effective, creating a vivid picture of the natural world and the emotions that it can evoke.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its timeless quality. Despite being written over 200 years ago, the poem still resonates with readers today. The beauty of nature and the complex emotions that it can evoke are universal themes that continue to inspire poets and writers to this day.

In conclusion, "Poetry Lines written as a School Exercise at Hawkshead, Anno Aetatis" is a true masterpiece of poetry. It showcases the talent and depth of thought of one of the greatest poets of all time, William Wordsworth. The poem's timeless quality and universal themes continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

Editor Recommended Sites

Knowledge Graph: Reasoning graph databases for large taxonomy and ontology models, LLM graph database interfaces
LLM Book: Large language model book. GPT-4, gpt-4, chatGPT, bard / palm best practice
LLM Prompt Book: Large Language model prompting guide, prompt engineering tooling
Explainable AI: AI and ML explanability. Large language model LLMs explanability and handling
Learn GPT: Learn large language models and local fine tuning for enterprise applications

Recommended Similar Analysis

Lycidas by John Milton analysis
Electra On Azalea Path by Sylvia Plath analysis
To The Daisy (fourth poem) by William Wordsworth analysis
Vanitas Vanitatis, Etc. by Anne Brontë analysis
Flesh and the Spirit, The by Anne Bradstreet analysis
Animal Tranquillity and Decay by William Wordsworth analysis
Walking Around by Pablo Neruda analysis
A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns analysis
There's been a Death, in the Opposite House by Emily Dickinson analysis
Troilus And Criseyde: Book 03 by Geoffrey Chaucer analysis