William Wordsworth

With Ships the Sea Was Sprinkled

With Ships the Sea Was Sprinkled - meaning Summary

Mariners Quiet Fascination

Wordsworth presents a quiet scene of ships scattered across the sea, compared to stars, as the speaker fixates on one impressive vessel. Though he claims no practical connection, he follows it with a lover’s gaze, projecting desire and curiosity onto its movement. The ship’s irresistible northward course suggests inevitability and the speaker’s helpless admiration for forces beyond his control.

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With ships the sea was sprinkled far and nigh, Like stars in heaven, and joyously it showed; Some lying fast at anchor in the road, Some veering up and down, one knew not why. A goodly vessel did I then espy Come like a giant from a haven broad; And lustily along the bay she strode, Her tackling rich, and of apparel high. The ship was nought to me, nor I to her, Yet I pursued her with a lover's look; This ship to all the rest did I prefer: When will she turn, and whither? She will brook No tarrying; where she comes the winds must stir: On went she, and due north her journey took.

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