Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802 by William Wordsworth (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802

by William Wordsworth

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802

Earth has not anything to show more fair:

Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

A sight so touching in its majesty:

This City now doth, like a garment, wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,

Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie

Open unto the fields, and to the sky;

All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

 

Never did sun more beautifully steep

In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;

Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!

The river glideth at his own sweet will:

Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;

And all that mighty heart is lying still!

 

Summary

The poem describes a specific moment when the speaker observes London in the early morning from Westminster Bridge. The setting is tranquil and quiet, and the city appears unusually calm and beautiful.

 

Lines 1–3:

The speaker begins by declaring that nothing on Earth is more beautiful than what he sees from this bridge. He says that anyone who can pass by without being moved by such a sight must be emotionally dull or insensitive. The majesty of the scene touches the soul.

 

Lines 4–8:

London appears to be dressed in the beauty of the morning, like someone wearing a beautiful garment. The city is silent and bare, not bustling with noise or smoke. The speaker sees ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples, all clearly visible and open to the sky and surrounding fields. The air is clean and smokeless, making the whole city appear bright and glittering.

 

Lines 9–12:

The speaker then reflects that never before has he seen the sunlight fall so beautifully—not even on nature's most scenic places like valleys, rocks, or hills. He feels a deep calmness, unlike anything he has experienced. The river Thames moves gently on its own, undisturbed and at peace.

 

Lines 13–14:

Finally, the speaker exclaims with awe, calling upon God as he observes even the houses of the city appear to be asleep. He notes that the mighty heart of London—the city that is usually full of life—is, in this moment, utterly still.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

1. Earth has not anything to show more fair:

→ There's nothing on Earth more beautiful than this view.

 

2. Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

→ Only someone with no sense of feeling could walk past this

 

3. A sight so touching in its majesty:

→ A scene so moving and majestic.

 

4. This City now doth, like a garment, wear

→ Right now, the city is clothed, like wearing a robe,

 

5. The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,

→ In the calm beauty of the morning—quiet and empty.

 

6. Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie

→ Ships, towers, domes, theaters, and temples are all

 

7. Open unto the fields, and to the sky;

→ Clearly visible and connected to the open fields and sky.

 

8. All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

→ Everything shines brightly in the clean, smoke-free air.

 

9. Never did sun more beautifully steep

→ The sun has never shone more beautifully on

 

10. In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;

→ Valleys, rocks, or hills at dawn.

 

11. Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!

→ I've never seen or felt such a deep and peaceful stillness!

 

12. The river glideth at his own sweet will:

→ The river flows gently, moving on its own peaceful course.

 

13. Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;

→ My goodness! Even the houses look as if they're sleeping.

 

14. And all that mighty heart is lying still!

→ And the powerful city seems completely quiet and at rest.

 

Analysis in Detail

William Wordsworth’s sonnet “Composed upon Westminster Bridge” captures a rare and serene moment in the bustling city of London, viewed at dawn from Westminster Bridge. Known for his love of nature, Wordsworth surprises the reader by directing his admiration not toward the countryside but toward the city, which he portrays as momentarily peaceful and beautiful. The poem elevates this urban setting to the level of sublime nature, celebrating it with reverence and awe.

 

Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is awe-struck, serene, and reverent. Wordsworth speaks with heartfelt emotion, as if the beauty of the morning and the stillness of the city deeply move him. There's a meditative quietness in the poem that mirrors the calm London morning. The exclamation “Dear God!” in line 13 reflects a spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling, a hallmark of Romantic poetry.

 

Imagery and Sensory Details

Wordsworth relies heavily on visual imagery to bring the city to life:

He paints a picture of London “wearing the beauty of the morning,” personifying the city.

The “ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples” are depicted as shining and clear under the “smokeless air,” contrasting with the usual smoky, noisy industrial London.

The river is described as gliding “at his own sweet will,” suggesting natural harmony and freedom.

The unusual cleanness of the air (“smokeless”) and the stillness of the city contribute to a nearly spiritual experience, as if London has momentarily become part of the natural world.

 

Themes

The Sublime in the Everyday:

The poem finds extraordinary beauty in an ordinary, often-overlooked setting—a city at dawn. Wordsworth expresses how nature and beauty are not limited to rural settings but can also be found in urban landscapes, particularly in rare moments of silence and stillness.

 

Harmony between Nature and Man-Made Structures:

Normally, Romantic poets contrasted nature with the corrupting force of cities. But here, Wordsworth blends the two: the man-made city becomes a part of the natural world through the beauty of the morning light and the calm river.

 

Stillness and Peace:

The poet is struck by the absence of movement. London, known for its constant activity, is quiet and still. Wordsworth captures a moment when the city appears asleep, resting before the day begins. This peacefulness resonates with the poet's inner calm.

 

Divine Appreciation of Beauty:

The exclamation “Dear God!” near the end suggests a spiritual response. The speaker sees the scene not only as aesthetically pleasing but also as a divine or sacred experience. Beauty, in this context, is tied to a sense of gratitude and wonder.

 

Structure and Form

The poem is a Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet, consisting of:

An octave (first 8 lines): introduces and describes the beauty of the morning scene.

A sestet (final 6 lines): deepens the emotional response, reflecting on calmness, stillness, and spiritual awe.

This traditional sonnet form lends a sense of order and elegance, echoing the still, composed moment the poet describes.

The iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythmic, flowing quality, mirroring the gentle movement of the river and the calm air of dawn.

 

Personification and Poetic Devices

Personification: London is personified as wearing a garment (“like a garment wear”), and even the houses are described as asleep, giving the city human-like qualities.

Metaphor: The city wearing “the beauty of the morning” like clothing turns a visual impression into a poetic metaphor.

Alliteration: Phrases like “silent, bare,” and “his own sweet will” add musical quality and emphasis.

Exclamation: “Dear God!” is not only an emotional outburst but also a spiritual acknowledgment of the grandeur witnessed.

 

Contextual Significance

Wordsworth composed this poem in 1802, while traveling to France with his sister Dorothy. At that time, London was growing as a commercial and imperial power. Despite Wordsworth’s usual preference for natural, rural settings, this poem reveals his ability to find spiritual beauty in unexpected places—even the industrial heart of England.

The quiet moment was not the usual state of the city, but a fleeting one—early morning before the noise and smoke of daily life resumed. This reinforces the Romantic ideal of capturing intense feeling in a single, powerful moment.

 

Conclusion

“Composed upon Westminster Bridge” stands out among Wordsworth’s works for its urban focus and its reverent tone toward a city scene. Through rich imagery, precise structure, and deeply felt emotion, the poem transforms a moment of urban stillness into a profound and spiritual experience. Wordsworth invites the reader to pause and appreciate the hidden beauty in places we often overlook—be it in nature or even in the heart of a busy city.