by Coleridge · Cluster: Nature · Book of Nature · Natural Order
Abstract
A descriptive nature-sonnet on a Somersetshire hill-climb and the landscape’s luxury, longing for the absent beloved; themes of nature, the sublime, and love.
Connections
Motifs: Nature, Birds Themes & Concepts: Sublime, Romantic Love Forms & Genres: Sonnet Settings: Pastoral Countryside
Testo integrale / Full text
SOMERSETSHIRE, MAY 1795
With many a pause and oft reverted eye
I climb the Coomb’s ascent: sweet songsters near
Warble in shade their wild-wood melody:
Far off the unvarying Cuckoo soothes my ear.
Up scour the startling stragglers of the flock 5
That on green plots o’er precipices browze:
From the deep fissures of the naked rock
The Yew-tree bursts! Beneath its dark green boughs
(Mid which the May-thorn blends its blossoms white)
Where broad smooth stones jut out in mossy seats, 10
I rest: — and now have gain’d the topmost site.
Ah! what a luxury of landscape meets
My gaze! Proud towers, and Cots more dear to me,
Elm-shadow’d Fields, and prospect-bounding Sea!
Deep sighs my lonely heart: I drop the tear: 15
Enchanting spot! O were my Sara here!