Air Quote by William Wordsworth
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The City” from *The Prelude* (1805)
The city is described as a beautiful, open garment against the sky, highlighted by its bright, smokeless atmosphere.
In simple terms: The city looks like a bright, open garment in a clear sky.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate the beauty of urban openness.
Themes
beauty
urban
nature
light
Mood
reflective
optimistic
Type
descriptive
poetic
When to use this quote
- city tours
- architecture studies
- photography
- environmental design
Key Concepts
aesthetic appreciation
urbanism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view of the city affect your perception of urban life?
- What aspects of city life are missing?
A Different Perspective
The description may idealize and ignore pollution or social issues.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)