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Thursday 23 March 2017

Upon Westminster Bridge

There was once a revolutionary who, crossing Westminster Bridge, found that he wanted to give the world a message. 

The man's name was William Wordsworth, and, although his journey took place over two hundred years ago, today he is revered and his words seem clearer and more precious than ever. 

I've written about his poem BEFORE, but here are his words in full.

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.
Ne'er 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!

                           ***

Sometimes a quiet voice can enter the hearts of millions when a noisy one is obscured by ugliness and echoes.

Word To Use Today: Westminster. Mynster is an Old English word that probably comes from the Latin monastērium, monastery. West is related to the Latin vesper, evening.




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