by Chesterton · Cluster: Wonder and Gratitude · Sublime · Storm
Abstract
A short lyric of cosmic wonder: the speaker marvels at sun, sky and the lost first heaven, ending ‘I wonder at not wondering’. Themes: wonder and gratitude, the fall from Eden, and the inexpressibility of praise.
Testo / Text
Connections
Historical References: Bible
Settings: Garden (2)
Topoi: Paradise Lost, Fall from Innocence, Inexpressibility, World Upside Down, Sublime in Nature Motifs: Sun, Garden, Sea, Sea and Voyage Themes & Concepts: Wonder and Gratitude, Sublime, Paradox, Sin and the Fall, Wonder Forms & Genres: Lyric, Ode
Testo integrale / Full text
The Mystery
G. K. Chesterton
If sunset clouds could grow on trees
It would but match the may in flower;
And skies be underneath the seas
No topsyturvier than a shower.
If mountains rose on wings to wander
They were no wilder than a cloud;
Yet all my praise is mean as slander,
Mean as these mean words spoken aloud.
And never more than now I know
That man’s first heaven is far behind;
Unless the blazing seraph’s blow
Has left him in the garden blind.
Witness, O Sun that blinds our eyes,
Unthinkable and unthankable King,
That though all other wonder dies
I wonder at not wondering.