...but when The Spirit speaks,—or beauty from the sky…
“...but when The Spirit speaks,—or beauty from the sky Descends into my being,—when I hear The storm-hymns of the mighty ocean roll, Or thunder sound,—the champion of the storm!— Then I feel envy for immortal words, The rush of living thought; oh! then I long To dash my feelings into deathless verse, That may administer to unborn time, And tell some lofty soul how I have lived A worshipper of Nature and of Thee!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poet longs to capture nature’s power and fleeting emotions in eternal poetry, feeling envy for immortal words and seeking to transcend mortality through art.
In simple terms: Desire to turn fleeting feelings into lasting verse.
Key Takeaway
Write with urgency to immortalize experience.
Themes
nature
art
immortality
envy
creativity
Mood
awe
inspired
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing poetry
- reflecting on nature
- expressing deep emotions
Key Concepts
Romanticism
transcendence
poetic ambition
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn a fleeting feeling into lasting art?
- What does “immortal words” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor of “storm‑hymns” may be obscure to modern readers.