As from the Darkening Gloom a Silver Dove
As from the Darkening Gloom a Silver Dove - form Summary
Sonnet of Celestial Ascent
This sonnet likens a departed soul to a silver dove ascending into eastern light and entering a serene, eternal realm. The compact fourteen-line form stages a movement from sorrow to consolation, suggesting the soul now shares in heavenly music or serves God’s will. The sonnet’s concentrated argument and tonal turn compress grief into a single consoling image, framing death as a peaceful transition that leaves no higher pleasure for the living to fear.
Read Complete AnalysesAs from the darkening gloom a silver dove Upsoars, and darts into the eastern light, On pinions that nought moves but pure delight, So fled thy soul into the realms above, Regions of peace and everlasting love; Where happy spirits, crown’d with circlets bright Of starry beam, and gloriously bedight, Taste the high joy none but the blest can prove. There thou or joinest the immortal quire In melodies that even heaven fair Fill with superior bliss, or, at desire, Of the omnipotent Father, cleav’st the air On holy message sent — What pleasure’s higher? Wherefore does any grief our joy impair?
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