Re:My heart leaps up when I behold

[florazheng1015]

My heart leaps up when I behold

by William Wordsworth

My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!

The Child is father of the Man;
I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety

Dear Teacher,

Could you help me to understand the poem-My Heart Leaps up When I Behold? I promise this is not my assignment. The below are some of my thoughts and questions. If any wrong intrerprations, please kindly point out.
And I'll more appreciate if you'd like to analyze it in details.


I think " a rainbow" is a metaphor for a link between God and the poet. So, the poet would die,without religion-Christianity.

In the second stanza, the Child, of course, is referred to Jesus, who is father of mankind.

But I can not understand the last verse, especially--" nature piety". Would anyone like to interpret it? What's the relation between " Jesus" and " natural piety".

And it is an iambic poem, isn't it? I wonder why the second stanza lost end rhythm.


Thanks in advance!

[susiedqq]

You have over-analyze the meaning of this poem.

The famous line of this poem is: The Child is father of the Man.

It is NOT a religious poem.

[florazheng1015]

Susieqq, thank you for your reply.