Lines Written when Sailing in a Boat at Evening

Name: Lines Written when Sailing in a Boat at Evening
Author: William Wordsworth

The poem explores the contrast between the beauty of nature and the inevitable darkness that follows. The speaker reflects on the vibrant colors of the evening sky and the serene experience of sailing, which evokes a sense of tranquility and joy. However, this moment of bliss is juxtaposed with the darker undertones of life, symbolized by the darkening waters behind the boat. The speaker acknowledges the allure of such picturesque scenes, particularly for a young poet, who may be captivated by the transient beauty and the promise of eternal joy. Yet, there is an awareness of the fleeting nature of these moments, as the speaker recognizes that the brightness will eventually fade into sorrow and grief. Despite this understanding, the speaker advocates for the embrace of these sweet dreams, suggesting that the joy derived from them is worth the potential pain that may follow. The poem ultimately presents a meditation on the duality of existence—joy and sorrow, light and darkness—encouraging a celebration of beauty even in the face of inevitable loss. The speaker's acceptance of this cycle reflects a deeper philosophical contemplation on life, art, and the human experience.

By William Wordsworth · First published 1827 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 151 words

First lines

How rich the wave, in front, imprest / With evening twilight's summer hues, / While, facing thus the crimson west, / The Boat her silent course pursues!

And see how dark the backward stream!

A little moment past, so smiling!

And still, perhaps, with faithless gleam, / Some other Loiterer beguiling.

Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

Lines Written when Sailing in a Boat at Evening is listed on Textopian as a poem by William Wordsworth, dated 1827 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: William Wordsworth
Date: 1827 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Meditative Poetry
Length: 151 words
Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Lines Written when Sailing in a Boat at Evening by William Wordsworth
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Similar titles

Genres

Romantic Poetry — The poem embodies the characteristics of Romanticism, focusing on nature, emotion, and individual experience.
Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
Nature Poetry — The vivid imagery of the natural landscape and the evening setting highlights the theme of nature.
Philosophical Poetry — The poem reflects on themes of life, death, and the nature of dreams and reality.