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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE RIVER DUDDON: SONNET 15 by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: FROM THIS DEEP CHASM, WHERE QUIVERING SUNBEAMS PLAY
Last Line: THEN, WHEN O'ER HIGHEST HILLS THE DELUGE PASSED?

FROM this deep chasm, where quivering sunbeams play
Upon its loftiest crags, mine eyes behold
A gloomy NICHE, capacious, blank, and cold;
A concave free from shrubs and mosses grey;
In semblance fresh, as if, with dire affray,
Some Statue, placed amid these regions old
For tutelary service, thence had rolled,
Startling the flight of timid Yesterday!
Was it by mortals sculptured? -- weary slaves
Of slow endeavour! or abruptly cast
Into rude shape by fire, with roaring blast
Tempestuously let loose from central caves?
Or fashioned by the turbulence of waves,
Then, when o'er highest hills the Deluge passed?




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