Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS: PART 2: 38. ELIZABETH by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: HAIL, VIRGIN QUEEN! O'ER MANY AN ENVIOUS BAR
Last Line: BY MEN AND ANGELS BLEST, THE GLORIOUS LIGHT?
Subject(s): ELIZABETH I, QUEEN OF ENGLAND (1533-1603;

HAIL, Virgin Queen! o'er many an envious bar
Triumphant, snatched from many a treacherous wile!
All hail, sage Lady, whom a grateful Isle
Hath blest, respiring from that dismal war
Stilled by thy voice! But quickly from afar
Defiance breathes with more malignant aim;
And alien storms with home-bred ferments claim
Portentous fellowship. Her silver car,
By sleepless prudence ruled, glides slowly on;
Unhurt by violence, from menaced taint
Emerging pure, and seemingly more bright:
Ah! wherefore yields it to a foul constraint
Black as the clouds its beams dispersed, while shone,
By men and angels blest, the glorious light?




Home: PoetryExplorer.net