Wordsworth (in Praise of Poets)
The poem is a tribute to the poet's role in society. It argues that poets are essential for preserving and interpreting the past, and for guiding individuals towards moral and spiritual growth. The speaker emphasizes the importance of imagination and creativity in shaping one's understanding of the world. The poem also touches on the idea that poetry has the power to transcend time and speak to universal human experiences.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1903 · Genre: Poetry, Literary Criticism, Romanticism · 159 words
First lines
Wordsworth, thy music like a river rolls Among the mountains, and thy song is fed By living springs far up the watershed; No whirling flood nor parching drought controls The crystal current; even on the shoals It murmurs clear and sweet; and when its bed Darkens below mysterious cliffs of dread, Thy voice of peace grows deeper in our souls.
But thou in youth hast known the breaking stress Of passion, and hast trod despair's dry ground Beneath black thoughts that wither and de- stroy. Ah, wanderer, led by human tenderness Home to the heart of Nature, thou hast found The hidden Fountain of Recovered Joy.
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Wordsworth (in Praise of Poets) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Henry Van Dyke, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Henry Van Dyke
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Literary Criticism, Romanticism, Philosophical
- Length: 159 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
- Keats In Praise Of Poets by Henry Van Dyke
- Byron by John Morley
- Shakespeare by Matthew Arnold
- Epilogue To Lessings Laocoon by Matthew Arnold
- The Sublime Type by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- Robert Browning In Praise Of Poets by Henry Van Dyke
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as meter, rhyme, and imagery.
- Literary Criticism — The poem praises and analyzes the qualities of Wordsworth's poetry, reflecting on its impact and themes.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, emotion, and individual experience align with the Romantic literary movement.
- Philosophical — The poem explores deep themes such as the nature of joy and the human condition.
Tags
Poetry · Literary Criticism · Biography · English Literature · Romanticism · 19th Century Literature · Critique · Analysis · Philosophy · Aesthetics · Language · Style