C.A. Bowles's The River

C.A. Bowles's The River

River, river, little river! 
Bright you sparkle on your way; 
O’er the yellow pebbles dancing, 
Through the flowers and foliage glancing, 
Like a child at play. 

River, river! swelling river! 
On you rush through rough and smooth; 
Louder, faster, brawling, leaping, 
Over rocks, by rose-banks, sweeping
Like impetuous youth. 

River, river! brimming river! 
Broad and deep, and still as time; 
Seeming still, yet still in motion, 
Tending onward to the ocean, 
Just like mortal prime. 

River, river! headlong river! 
Down you dash into the sea, _
Sea that line hath never sounded, 
Sea that sail hath never rounded, 
Like eternity.

C.A. Bowles

Caroline Ann Bowles (1786-1854) was married to Robert Southey who was the poet laureate of Britain. She wrote various other works including CHAPTER ON CHURCHYARD and TALES OF THE FACTORIES. THE RIVER is a poem which describes a river in all its vitality and splendor. 

1st stanza:  River, river, little river! Bright you sparkle on your way; O’er the yellow pebbles dancing, Through the flowers and foliage glancing, Like a child at play.

EXPLANATION Oh! Little river, you sparkle brightly on your way. You go dancing over the yellow pebbles. You glance through the flowers and leaves of trees, dancing all the while like a child at play (like a child who plays hide and seek.)

2nd stanza: River, river! Swelling river! On you rush through rough and smooth; Louder, faster, brawling leaping, Over rocks, by rose-blanks, sweeping Like impetuous youth.

EXPLANATION Oh you rising river, you rush through rough places and smooth places. You are brawling and leaping. You go by rough rocks and banks where roses grow. Now you are like a reckless youth.

 3rd stanza: River, river! Brimming river! Broad and deep, and still as time; Seeming still, yet still in motion, Tending onward to the ocean Just like mortal prime..

EXPLANATION Oh! River, which is full, now you are broad and deep and motionless as time. Though you seem motionless, you are moving towards the ocean. Now you are like a man in his prime.

4th stanza: River, river! Headlong river! Down you dash into the sea,- Sea that line hath never sounded, Sea that sail hath never rounded, Like eternity.

EXPLANATION Oh! River, you move quickly down into the sea. That sea’s depth has never been measured by a weighted line. None has gone by ship completely around the sea which can be compared to eternity. 

LAST STAGE OF THE POEM- Four stages of life are compared with the four stages in the course of the river

MICROPROCESSING OF THE INPUT THEME-It is a poem which describes a river in all its vitality and splendour FLOW OF THE RIVER -It shows the journey of life to eternity THE SEA -The sea reminds the pool of eternity TONE- The poem is highly philosophical

RHYMING WORD The Word which has the same last sound as another word. Motion – Ocean Dancing – Glancing Leaping – Sweeping

MEANING OF THE DIFFICULT WORDS PEBBLES: Small smooth and round stone especially found on a beach or river bank FOLIAGE: The leaves of plants or trees IMPETUOUS: Acting without thinking MORTAL PRIME: A man in the best age of his life ETERNITY: Endless time

C.A. Bowles's The River