Analysis of The Sovereign Poet

William Watson 1858 (Burley in Wharfedale) – 1935 (Rottingdean)



HE sits above the clang and dust of Time,
With the world's secret trembling on his lip.
He asks not converse or companionship
In the cold starlight where thou canst not climb.

The undelivered tidings in his breast
Suffer him not to rest.
He sees afar the immemorable throng,
And binds the scattered ages with a song.

The glorious riddle of his rhythmic breath,
His might, his spell, we know not what they be;
We only feel, whate'er he uttereth,
This savors not of death,
This hath a relish of eternity.


Scheme ABBA CCDD EFEEF
Poetic Form
Metre 1101010111 10110100111 111101010 001111111 001010011 101111 1101011 0101010101 01001011101 1111111111 11011011 110111 1101010100
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 498
Words 93
Sentences 6
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 5
Lines Amount 13
Letters per line (avg) 30
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 132
Words per stanza (avg) 30
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

28 sec read
122

William Watson

William Watson, was a surgeon in the 105th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers during the American Civil War. more…

All William Watson poems | William Watson Books

0 fans

Discuss this William Watson poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "The Sovereign Poet" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/42056/the-sovereign-poet>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    0
    days
    9
    hours
    59
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    Published in 1954, "Fighting Terms" was the first collection of poems by which poet?
    A Philip Larkin
    B Sylvia Plath
    C Thom Gunn
    D Ted Hughes