On a Cataract

Name: On a Cataract
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem explores themes of nature, youth, and the sublime. It begins with a vivid depiction of a powerful, eternal youth emerging from a hidden origin, symbolizing vitality and strength. The imagery evokes a sense of mystery surrounding this figure, suggesting that its birth and essence are beyond human comprehension. The "cradle of the strong one" remains unseen, emphasizing the idea of an ungraspable source of life. The strophe presents a serene yet dynamic landscape, where elements of nature intertwine—clouds, dawn, and moonlight—all contributing to the atmosphere of renewal and rebirth. This setting serves as a backdrop for the emergence of the youthful figure, who embodies the spirit of nature itself. The use of sensory language creates a rich tapestry that invites the reader to experience the beauty and power of the natural world. In the antistrophe, the wild goat symbolizes the awe and reverence that nature inspires. The inaccessible cliff represents the challenges and barriers that exist in the natural world, while the youthful figure's exuberance contrasts with the stillness of the landscape. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between the wildness of life and the tranquility of nature. Overall, the work reflects on the relationship between humanity and the natural world, celebrating the vitality of youth while acknowledging the mysteries that lie beyond human understanding. The poem captures the essence of life’s cyclical nature, where creation and destruction coexist, and the eternal spirit of youth remains ever-present.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1798 · Genre: Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 247 words

First lines

FROM A CAVERN NEAR THE SUMMIT OF A MOUNTAIN PRECIPICE [AFTER STOLBERG'S _UNSTERBLICHER JÜNGLING_]

STROPHE

Unperishing youth! Thou leapest from forth The cell of thy hidden nativity; Never mortal saw The cradle of the strong one; Never mortal heard The gathering of his voices; The deep-murmur'd charm of the son of the rock, That is lisp'd evermore at his slumberless fountain. There's a cloud at the portal, a spray-woven veil At the shrine of his ceaseless renewing; It embosoms the roses of dawn, It entangles the shafts of the noon, And into the bed of its stillness The moonshine sinks down as in slumber, That the son of the rock, that the nursling of heaven May be born in a holy twilight!

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On a Cataract is listed on Textopian as a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1798 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1798 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romanticism, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Symbolism
Length: 247 words
Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Romanticism — The poem embodies themes of nature, emotion, and the sublime, characteristic of Romantic literature.
Lyric Poetry — The work is structured as a lyrical expression of personal feelings and reflections on nature.
Nature Poetry — The imagery and themes focus heavily on natural elements and their spiritual significance.
Philosophical Poetry — The poem explores deeper existential themes, such as the nature of existence and renewal.