She Was a Phantom of Delight

-          William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

(This poem, composed in 1804, is a portrait of his wife, Mary Hutchinson. He describes her first as an ideally beautiful woman, then a pleasant companion and a housewife and, finally, as an intellectual and moral being who is capable of guiding him. Beginning with a distant view that offers an illusion, he closes up to a more realistic and spiritual view of his wife.)

When the poet saw her for the first time, he felt that she was a beautiful soul sent to make his moments pleasing. Her sparkling eyes like the twinkling stars of twilight, her dusky hair and other fair body parts often used to haunt him. Her beautiful body and happy face often used to come into his mind and disturb him. She was like a fairy to him.

After she became his wife, he found her to be a simple woman with ordinary features. She could do all household chores fast and freely. Her face was full of sweet promises. But she was not an extraordinary being who would not be affected by the everyday human emotions like sorrow, happiness, blame, love, etc.

Now, when the poet seriously thinks about his wife he finds her to be a perfect woman though she is a normal living being who has to die one day. She is a noble woman with so many good qualities like logic, self control, endurance, foresight, strength and skill. As his wife, she warns him against the dangers, provides him all wifely comforts, and even guides him in household matters. But she is like an angel to him, good, beautiful and very kind.