Composed on Easter Sunday

by William Wordsworth — a poem card from Justes Mots

A contemplative Easter sonnet invoking the Resurrection while lamenting the loss of humble piety in modern Britain. Wordsworth contrasts past reverence—where people dressed in homespun cloth to honor Christ—with present-day corruption by invention and materialism. A nostalgic meditation on spiritual decline and vanished virtue.

Erewhile to celebrate this glorious morn
That saw the unvanquished Saviour of mankind
Rise from the grave, the Ruler and the Hind
Put on fresh raiment, till that hour unworn,
Fair cloth of home-bred wool which he had shorn,
Her hands had spun, culling her daintiest fleece,
Such reverence paid they to the Prince of Peace.
O blest estate, when Piety sublime…

Themes: love · new-baby · wedding · friendship