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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HESPERUS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: IT IS NO SPIRIT WHO FROM HEAVEN HATH FLOWN
Last Line: TREAD THERE WITH STEPS THAT NO ONE SHALL REPROVE!
Subject(s): SOUL; STARTS;

IT is no Spirit who from heaven hath flown,
And is descending on his embassy;
Nor Traveller gone from earth the heavens to espy!
'Tis Hesperus -- there he stands with glittering crown,
First admonition that the sun is down!
For yet it is broad day-light: clouds pass by;
A few are near him still -- and now the sky,
He hath it to himself -- 'tis all his own.
O most ambitious Star! an inquest wrought
Within me when I recognised thy light;
A moment I was startled at the sight:
And, while I gazed, there came to me a thought
That I might step beyond my natural race
As thou seem'st now to do; might one day trace
Some ground not mine; and, strong her strength above,
My Soul, an Apparition in the place,
Tread there with steps that no one shall reprove!




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