by Coleridge · Cluster: Transience · Decay · Carpe Diem
Abstract
Sonnet of climbing a hill and reading the journeyed plain as an emblem of life’s tedious way toward a hoped-for home; autumn, mutability, hope.
Connections
Topoi: Fortune’s Wheel Archetypes: Pilgrim Motifs: Journey, Autumn, Mutability Themes & Concepts: Hope, Transience Forms & Genres: Sonnet
Testo integrale / Full text
With many a weary step at length I gain
Thy summit, Bala! and the cool breeze plays
Cheerily round my brow — as hence the gaze
Returns to dwell upon the journey’d plain.
‘Twas a long way and tedious! — to the eye 5
Tho’ fair th’ extended Vale, and fair to view
The falling leaves of many a faded hue
That eddy in the wild gust moaning by!
Ev’n so it far’d with Life! in discontent
Restless thro’ Fortune’s mingled scenes I went, 10
Yet wept to think they would return no more!
O cease fond heart! in such sad thoughts to roam,
For surely thou ere long shalt reach thy home,
And pleasant is the way that lies before.
1794.