William Wordsworth

With How Sad Steps

With How Sad Steps - meaning Summary

Lunar Melancholy and Longing

The speaker addresses the Moon as a melancholy, distant presence and expresses a mix of sorrow and admiration. He imagines the Moon moving quietly across the sky, compared to sighing nuns and urged by the northern wind. Wishing for magical power, he would summon stars to accompany her. The poem ends by elevating the Moon—Cynthia—as both beautiful and majestic, blending yearning with reverent praise.

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With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the sky, "How silently, and with how wan a face!" Where art thou? Thou so often seen on high Running among the clouds a Wood-nymph's race! Unhappy Nuns, whose common breath's a sigh Which they would stifle, move at such a pace! The northern Wind, to call thee to the chase, Must blow to-night his bugle horn. Had I The power of Merlin, Goddess! this should be: And all the stars, fast as the clouds were riven, Should sally forth, to keep thee company, Hurrying and sparkling through the clear blue heaven. But, Cynthia! should to thee the palm be given, Queen both for beauty and for majesty.

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