A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal Poem Summary and Notes | CBSE Class 9 English Beehive

According to the CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, this chapter has been renumbered as Chapter 8.

Summary of A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal

CBSE Class 9 English ‘Beehive’ book contains a poem titled A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal. It is written by William Wordsworth. For students who find it difficult to understand the poem; for them, we have provided a detailed explanation along with the summary. By going through these CBSE Class 9 English Notes, students can prepare for their exams in an effective way. Also, they can use the summary of the poem for quick reference during revision. These English notes are prepared by subject experts and are written in simple language for students’ easy understanding. Studying it will help in scoring high marks on the English paper.

CBSE Class 9 English Beehive A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal Poem Summary

The poem is about the death of a loved one. The poet gives an internal message about life. He says that he did not realise the importance of life when she was alive. He has taken life for granted, but after her death, he has understood the real essence of life.

CBSE Class 9 English Beehive A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal Poem Explanation Notes

Students can have a look at the poem and its explanation below.

A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal Poem and Explanation

A slumber did my spirit seal—

I had no human fears. She seemed a thing that could not feel

The touch of earthly years.

No motion has she now, no force—

She neither hears nor sees,

Rolled round in earth’s diurnal course

With rocks and stones and trees.

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

In the first stanza, the poet describes his feelings when he thinks about the death of a loved one. He says that his soul has drifted into a deep sleep. He does not have any human fear. But, one day, when she passed away, he was not able to accept the truth. He had never thought that one day death would take her away. He has always taken life for granted.

In the second stanza, the poet is describing her dead body. He says that now, she is not able to make any physical motion or apply any force. She can neither hear his words nor can see him. She is now under the surface of the earth. She revolves around the earth, and one day she will become similar to rocks, stones and trees.