Published on Academy of American Poets (https://poets.org)


XXIX [Surprised by joy—impatient as the Wind]

Surprised by joy—impatient as the Wind
I turned to share the transport—Oh! with whom
But Thee, deep buried in the silent Tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind—
But how could I forget thee? Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss?—That thought's return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart's best treasure was no more;
That neither present time, nor years unborn
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore.

Credit


This poem is in the public domain.

About this Poem


“XXIX [Surprised by joy—impatient as the Wind]” appears in The Complete Poetical Works of William Wordsworth (James Munroe and Company, 1839).

Author


William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth, who rallied for "common speech" within poems and argued against the poetic biases of the period, wrote some of the most influential poetry in Western literature, including his most famous work, The Prelude, which is often considered to be the crowning achievement of English romanticism.

Date Published: 1815-01-01

Source URL: https://poets.org/poem/xxix-surprised-joy-impatient-wind