Upon Perusing the Forgoing Epistle
Thirty Years After Its Composition
Upon Perusing the Forgoing Epistle - meaning Summary
Memory Softened by Time
Wordsworth reflects on loss, memory, and consolation. He describes the peaceful death of beloved young people and a friend, and he praises a surviving memorial that evokes sympathetic feeling. The poem accepts sorrow while emphasizing repentance, the purity of past good intentions, and gratitude for efforts fulfilled. Ultimately it finds comfort in remembering loved ones with “blameless pleasure” tempered by tears and a hopeful sense of shared joy beyond life.
Read Complete AnalysesSOON did he Almighty Giver of all rest Take those dear young Ones to a fearless nest; And in Death's arms has long reposed the Friend For whom this simple Register was penned. Thanks to the moth that spared it for our eyes; And Strangers even the slighted Scroll may prize, Moved by the touch of kindred sympathies. For--save the calm, repentance sheds o'er strife Raised by remembrances of misused life, The light from past endeavours purely willed And by Heaven's favour happily fulfilled; Save hope that we, yet bound to Earth, may share The joys of the Departed--what so fair As blameless pleasure, not without some tears, Reviewed through Love's transparent veil of years?
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