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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE RIVER DUDDON: SONNET 1 by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: NOT ENVYING LATIAN SHADES - IF YET THEY THROW
Last Line: FOR DUDDON, LONG-LOVED DUDDON, IS MY THEME!

I
NOT envying Latian shades -- if yet they throw
A grateful coolness round that crystal Spring,
Blandusia, prattling as when long ago
The Sabine Bard was moved her praise to sing;
Careless of flowers that in perennial blow
Round the moist marge of Persian fountains cling;
Heedless of Alpine torrents thundering
Through ice-built arches radiant as heaven's bow;
I seek the birthplace of a native Stream. --
All hail, ye mountains! hail, thou morning light!
Better to breathe at large on this clear height
Than toil in needless sleep from dream to dream:
Pure flow the verse, pure, vigorous, free, and bright,
For Duddon, long-loved Duddon, is my theme!




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