Analysis of A Figurative Description Of The Procedure Of Divine Love
William Cowper 1731 (Berkhamsted) – 1800 (Dereham)
'Twas my purpose, on a day,
To embark, and sail away.
As I climbed the vessel's side,
Love was sporting in the tide;
'Come,' he said, 'ascend—make haste,
Launch into the boundless waste.'
Many mariners were there,
Having each his separate care;
They that rowed us held their eyes
Fixed upon the starry skies;
Others steered, or turned the sails,
To receive the shifting gales.
Love, with power divine supplied,
Suddenly my courage tried;
In a moment it was night,
Ship and skies were out of sight;
On the briny wave I lay,
Floating rushes all my stay.
Did I with resentment burn
At this unexpected turn?
Did I wish myself on shore,
Never to forsake it more?
No--'My soul,' I cried, 'be still;
If I must be lost, I will.'
Next he hastened to convey
Both my frail supports away;
Seized my rushes; bade the waves
Yawn into a thousand graves:
Down I went, and sunk as lead,
Ocean closing o'er my head.
Still, however, life was safe;
And I saw him turn and laugh:
'Friend,' he cried, 'adieu! lie low,
While the wintry storms shall blow;
When the spring has calmed the main,
You shall rise and float again.'
Soon I saw him, with dismay,
Spread his plumes, and soar away;
Now I mark his rapid flight;
Now he leaves my aching sight;
He is gone whom I adore,
'Tis in vain to seek him more.
How I trembled then and feared,
When my love had disappeared!
'Wilt thou leave me thus,' I cried,
'Whelmed beneath the rolling tide?'
Vain attempt to reach his ear!
Love was gone, and would not hear.
Ah! return, and love me still;
See me subject to thy will;
Frown with wrath, or smile with grace,
Only let me see thy face!
Evil I have none to fear,
All is good, if thou art near.
Yet he leaves me--cruel fate!
Leaves me in my lost estate--
Have I sinned? Oh, say wherein;
Tell me, and forgive my sin!
King, and Lord, whom I adore,
Shall I see thy face no more?
Be not angry; I resign,
Henceforth, all my will to thine:
I consent that thou depart,
Though thine absence breaks my heart;
Go then, and for ever too:
All is right that thou wilt do.
This was just what Love intended;
He was now no more offended;
Soon as I became a child,
Love returned to me and smiled:
Never strife shall more betide
'Twixt the bridegroom and his bride.
Scheme | AABBCC DDEEFF BBGGAA HHIIJJ AAKKLL XXMMXX AAGGII NNBBOO JJPPQQ RRSSII TTUUVV WWXXBB |
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Poetic Form | |
Metre | 1110101 1010101 1110101 1110001 1110111 1010101 1010001 1011101 1111111 1010101 1011101 1010101 11100101 1001101 0010111 1010111 101111 1010111 1110101 110101 111111 1010111 1111111 1111111 1110101 1110101 1110101 1010101 1110111 10101011 110111 0111101 1110111 1010111 1011101 1110101 1111101 1110101 1111101 1111101 1111101 1011111 1110101 111101 1111111 1010101 1011111 1110111 1010111 1101111 1111111 1011111 1011111 1111111 1111101 1101101 1111101 1100111 1011101 1111111 1110101 1111111 1011101 1110111 1101101 1111111 11111010 11111010 1110101 1011101 1011101 101011 |
Closest metre | Iambic tetrameter |
Characters | 2,153 |
Words | 428 |
Sentences | 25 |
Stanzas | 12 |
Stanza Lengths | 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 |
Lines Amount | 72 |
Letters per line (avg) | 23 |
Words per line (avg) | 6 |
Letters per stanza (avg) | 139 |
Words per stanza (avg) | 35 |
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on April 01, 2023
- 2:07 min read
- 61 Views
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"A Figurative Description Of The Procedure Of Divine Love" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/39788/a-figurative-description-of-the-procedure-of-divine-love>.
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