Sonnet XIV. Composed While Climbing The Left Ascent Of Brockley Coomb, In The County Of Somerset by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

Sonnet XIV. Composed While Climbing The Left Ascent Of Brockley Coomb, In The County Of Somerset

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Sonnet XIV. Composed While Climbing The Left Ascent Of Brockley Coomb, In The County Of Somerset

With many a pause and oft reverted eye

I climb the Coomb's ascent: sweet songsters near

Warble in shade their wild-wood melody:

Far off the unvarying Cuckoo soothes my ear.

Up scour the startling stragglers of the flock

That on green plots o'er precipices browze:

From the deep fissures of the naked rock

The Yew-tree bursts! Beneath its dark green boughs

(Mid which the May-thorn blends its blossoms white)

Where broad smooth stones jut out in mossy seats,

I rest: - and now have gain'd the topmost site.

Ah! what a luxury of landscape meets

My gaze! Proud towers, and Cots more dear to me,

Elm-shadow'd Fields, and prospect-bounding Sea!

Deep sighs my lonely heart: I drop the tear:

Enchanting spot! O were my Sara here!

 

Summary

The poem opens with the speaker describing his slow and thoughtful climb up the left side of Brockley Coomb, a wooded valley in Somerset. He ascends with frequent pauses and often looks back at the view behind him. As he climbs, he is surrounded by the sounds of nature—nearby birds sing sweet, wild songs from within the shaded woods. In the distance, the repetitive and calming call of a cuckoo reaches his ears.

While ascending, the speaker notices startled sheep or goats (referred to as “stragglers of the flock”) rushing away from the green patches of grass that grow near the edges of steep cliffs. From the crevices of the bare rocky slopes, he observes a yew tree growing, its dark green branches spreading out. Among these branches, the blooming white flowers of the May-thorn intermingle.

The speaker finds a resting place beneath the yew tree, where smooth, broad stones covered in moss provide natural seating. After resting, he finally reaches the summit of the ascent. There, a magnificent view opens up before him. He sees impressive towers and countryside cottages (which he holds especially dear), fields shaded by elm trees, and, in the distance, the sea marking the farthest boundary of the landscape.

As he takes in this beautiful and peaceful scene, the speaker feels a wave of deep emotion. His heart, touched by solitude, lets out a sigh, and he sheds a tear. Though the place is enchanting, he longs for the presence of his beloved Sara to share the moment with him.

 

Analysis in Detail

Overview and Context:

This sonnet is a deeply personal and introspective nature poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It reflects the poet’s romantic vision of nature as a source of beauty, inspiration, and emotional depth. The poem was composed while the poet was walking alone in Brockley Combe, a picturesque wooded valley in Somerset, England. As a Romantic poet, Coleridge often expressed the emotional and spiritual connection between man and nature, and in this poem, that bond is evident—culminating in a moment of solitude, beauty, and longing for a loved one.

 

Lines 1–4: The Ascent and Surrounding Sounds

With many a pause and oft reverted eye

I climb the Coomb's ascent: sweet songsters near

Warble in shade their wild-wood melody:

Far off the unvarying Cuckoo soothes my ear.

 

Imagery of Effort and Reflection: The speaker begins his journey with "many a pause and oft reverted eye," indicating both physical effort and emotional reflection. The climb is symbolic of introspection, and looking back suggests nostalgia or contemplation.

Natural Music: Birds ("sweet songsters") singing in the shaded woods create a peaceful, harmonious environment. The contrast between the nearby melodious birds and the "unvarying" call of the distant cuckoo introduces a dual sensory experience—close detail and distant echo.

Mood: This section sets a tranquil and reflective tone, with nature acting as both a physical setting and a source of emotional resonance.

 

Lines 5–8: Vivid Natural Landscape and Movement

Up scour the startling stragglers of the flock

That on green plots o'er precipices browze:

From the deep fissures of the naked rock

The Yew-tree bursts!

 

Sudden Movement: The peaceful mood is briefly interrupted by the sudden motion of animals—possibly goats or sheep—that are startled and scatter from dangerous grassy edges. This moment injects a sense of vitality and unpredictability into the scene.

Powerful Natural Growth: The yew tree, bursting from the cracks in "naked rock," is an image of resilience and strength—nature flourishing even in harsh, bare conditions. Coleridge is likely marveling at nature's raw power and persistence.

Symbolism of the Yew: The yew tree often symbolizes endurance, immortality, and death in literature. Its emergence from a fissure could represent life springing from hardship or beauty emerging from the rugged.

 

Lines 9–11: Resting Place and Harmony

Beneath its dark green boughs

(Mid which the May-thorn blends its blossoms white)

Where broad smooth stones jut out in mossy seats,

I rest: - and now have gain'd the topmost site.

 

Contrasting Colors and Textures: The "dark green boughs" of the yew contrast with the "blossoms white" of the May-thorn, reinforcing the idea of harmony in opposites—light and dark, soft and strong.

A Place of Peace: The speaker finds a natural resting place where stone and moss offer a seat—suggesting that nature itself provides comfort and support.

Achievement: Reaching the "topmost site" is both a literal and symbolic climax. It reflects personal achievement, perhaps even enlightenment or peace after struggle.

 

Lines 12–13: The Landscape Unfolds

Ah! what a luxury of landscape meets

My gaze! Proud towers, and Cots more dear to me,

Elm-shadow'd Fields, and prospect-bounding Sea!

 

Emotional Reaction: The exclamation "Ah!" reveals the speaker's awe at the view. The word "luxury" underscores how rich and rewarding the sight is—not in material terms, but in sensory and emotional value.

Balance of Grandeur and Intimacy: The speaker sees "proud towers" (perhaps castles or church spires) and "cots" (cottages)—a balance of majesty and personal affection. The "cots" are "more dear," showing a preference for humble, meaningful things over grandeur.

Connection to the Wider World: The "prospect-bounding Sea" suggests a vast horizon—a reminder of the greater world and the infinite, a common Romantic theme evoking both wonder and introspection.

 

Line 14: Solitude and Longing

Deep sighs my lonely heart: I drop the tear:

Enchanting spot! O were my Sara here!

 

Shift to Personal Emotion: After the external beauty, the final line brings an emotional twist. The speaker's heart sighs, and he sheds a tear—not from the beauty alone, but from a sense of loneliness.

Yearning for Shared Experience: The speaker longs for his beloved "Sara" (likely his wife, Sara Fricker). The natural beauty, though profound, feels incomplete without her presence.

Theme of Romantic Love and Isolation: This ending reveals the core emotional drive of the poem—connection. Even the most breathtaking scene is tinged with sadness when it is experienced alone.

 

Themes in the Poem:

Nature as a Source of Solace and Awe: Nature’s beauty, power, and detail are central to the poem’s emotional impact.

Solitude and Longing: The speaker finds peace in solitude, but also feels a deep ache for companionship, especially with a loved one.

Emotional Reflection Through Landscape: The journey up the Coomb parallels an inner emotional journey—effort, rest, revelation, and longing.

Romantic Ideals: Typical of Romantic poetry, this sonnet embraces emotion, personal experience, and the grandeur of nature over reason or urban life.

 

Paraphrase

1. With many a pause and oft reverted eye

→ I climb slowly, stopping often and looking back as I go,

 

2. I climb the Coomb's ascent: sweet songsters near

→ As I make my way up the slope of the valley, with birds nearby

 

3. Warble in shade their wild-wood melody:

→ Singing their untamed, natural songs from the cool, shaded woods.

 

4. Far off the unvarying Cuckoo soothes my ear.

→ In the distance, the steady, repetitive call of the cuckoo calms me.

 

5. Up scour the startling stragglers of the flock

→ Suddenly, some startled animals—stragglers from the herd—scatter and run,

 

6. That on green plots o'er precipices browze:

→ As they graze on grassy patches near the edges of steep cliffs.

 

7. From the deep fissures of the naked rock

→ Out of the deep cracks in the bare rock face,

 

8. The Yew-tree bursts!

→ A strong yew tree springs forth and grows powerfully.

 

9. Beneath its dark green boughs

→ Beneath its deep green branches,

 

10. (Mid which the May-thorn blends its blossoms white)

→ (Where white blossoms of the may-thorn mix and bloom alongside),

 

11. Where broad smooth stones jut out in mossy seats,

→ And where large, flat stones stick out like moss-covered benches,

 

12. I rest: - and now have gain'd the topmost site.

→ I stop to rest there—and finally reach the highest point of the climb.

 

13. Ah! what a luxury of landscape meets

→ Ah! What a rich, breathtaking view stretches out before me,

 

14. My gaze! Proud towers, and Cots more dear to me,

→ My eyes take in grand towers, and humble cottages I love even more,

 

15. Elm-shadow'd Fields, and prospect-bounding Sea!

→ Fields shaded by elm trees, and beyond them, the wide sea stretching to the horizon.

 

16. Deep sighs my lonely heart: I drop the tear:

→ My heart sighs in its solitude, and a tear falls from my eye.

 

17. Enchanting spot! O were my Sara here!

→ What a magical place this is—if only my dear Sara were here with me!