GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS

1844 - 1889

THE WINDHOVER

This poem provides examples of broken rhyme and sprung rhythm.

( To Christ our Lord )

I caught this morning morning's minion, king-
    dom of daylight's dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
    Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding

Windhover is another name for a kestrel, a small hawk that hovers facing the wind while searching for prey.

High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
    As a skate's heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
    Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, -- the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!

Hopkins' poetry was first published in 1918, twenty-nine years after his death. His innovative rhythmic technique, condensed thought, and brilliant images have profoundly influenced twentieth-century poetry.

Brute beauty and valour and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here
    Buckle! AND the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion
Times told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier!

    No wonder of it: shéer plód makes plough down sillion
Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
    Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermillion.