William Wordsworth

A Complaint

A Complaint - meaning Summary

Love's Fountain Grown Silent

The poem describes the speaker’s grief over a waning love that once flowed freely and nourished him. He contrasts past joy—an overflowing fountain at his heart’s door—with the present silence of a hidden well. Though he hopes the love remains deep and unfailing, its withdrawal leaves him impoverished emotionally. The tone is resigned and contemplative, accepting absence while clinging to the possibility that the feeling still exists, unseen.

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There is a change--and I am poor; Your love hath been, nor long ago, A fountain at my fond heart's door, Whose only business was to flow; And flow it did; not taking heed Of its own bounty, or my need. What happy moments did I count! Blest was I then all bliss above! Now, for that consecrated fount Of murmuring, sparkling, living love, What have I? shall I dare to tell? A comfortless and hidden well. A well of love--it may be deep-- I trust it is,--and never dry: What matter? if the waters sleep In silence and obscurity. --Such change, and at the very door Of my fond heart, hath made me poor.

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