Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802 Awe and Amazement Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (line)

Quote #4

Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! (line 11)

It's rare to feel completely at ease in a large city, so the speaker's statement is unexpected. The unusual silence of the city in the morning contributes to this feeling.

Quote #5

Dear God! the very houses seem asleep; (line 13)

The phrase "the very houses" means something like, "even the houses." The way in which the vision plays against his expectations is important in this poem. The exclamation to God brings the tone to a higher emotional register.