by Coleridge · Cluster: Sun · Light and Dark · Fire
Abstract
Brief nature-lyric describing the sun sinking and vanishing ‘as Spirits vanish’, a soul-like breeze stirring the wood. Themes of transience, nature and the sublime.
Connections
Motifs: Sun, Nature, Wind Themes & Concepts: Transience, Sublime Forms & Genres: Fragment
Testo integrale / Full text
Upon the mountain’s edge with light touch resting,
There a brief while the globe of splendour sits
And seems a creature of the earth; but soon
More changeful than the Moon,
To wane fantastic his great orb submits, 5
Or cone or mow of fire: till sinking slowly
Even to a star at length he lessens wholly.
Abrupt, as Spirits vanish, he is sunk!
A soul-like breeze possesses all the wood.
The boughs, the sprays have stood 10
As motionless as stands the ancient trunk!
But every leaf through all the forest flutters,
And deep the cavern of the fountain mutters.
1805.