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The Windhover(1877)

Gerard Manley Hopkins

I caught this morning morning’s minion, king-
MeterI caught this morning morning’s minion, king-
dom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Meterdom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
MeterOf the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
MeterHigh there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
MeterIn his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
MeterAs a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart inhiding
MeterRebuffed the big wind. My heart inhiding
Stirred for a bird,– the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!
MeterStirred for a bird,– the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!
Brute beauty and valour and act,oh, air, pride,plume, here
MeterBrute beauty and valour and act,oh, air, pride,plume, here
Buckle! AND the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion
MeterBuckle! AND the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion
Times told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier!
MeterTimes told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier!
No wonder of it: sheer plod makes plough down sillion
MeterNo wonder of it: sheer plod makes plough down sillion
Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
MeterShine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
Fall, gall themselves and gash gold-vermilion.
MeterFall, gall themselves and gash gold-vermilion.

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