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ON A PORTRAIT OF WORDSWORTH BY B.R. HAYDON by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING

Poet Analysis

First Line: WORDSWORTH UPON HELVELLYN! LET THE CLOUD
Last Line: THIS IS THE POET AND HIS POETRY.
Subject(s): HAYDON, BENJAMIN ROBERT (1786-1846); POETRY & POETS; WORDSWORTH, WILLIAM (1770-1850);

Wordsworth upon Helvellyn! Let the cloud
Ebb audibly along the mountain-wind,
Then break against the rock, and show behind
The lowland valleys floating up to crowd
The sense with beauty. He, with forehead bowed
And humble-lidded eyes, as one inclined
Before the sovran thought of his own mind,
And very meek with inspirations proud, --
Takes here his rightful place as poet-priest
By the high-altar, singing prayer and prayer
To the higher Heavens. A noble vision free,
Our Haydon's hand hath flung out from the mist!
No portrait this, with Academic air, --
This is the poet and his poetry.



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