Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!

 Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802
 The speaker declares that he has found the most beautiful scene on earth. You'd have to be someone with no spiritual sense, no taste for beauty, to pass over the Westminster Bridge that morning without stopping to marvel at the sights. London is wearing the morning's beauty like a fine shirt or cape. London, you're lookin' good.
The time is so early that all is quiet. The various landmarks visible from the bridge, including St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London, stand before him in all their grandeur in the morning light. Fortunately, there happens to be no "London fog" to obscure the view.
The speaker compares the sunlight on the buildings to the light that shines on the countryside, and he seems surprised to feel more at peace in the bustling city than he has anywhere else. The River Thames moves slowly beneath him. In a burst of emotion, he pictures the city as blissfully asleep before another busy day.
Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.
Line 1
Earth has not anything to show more fair:
While crossing over the Westminster Bridge, the speaker makes a bold statement: he has found the most beautiful scene on the planet. All you other artists can call off the search! Wordsworth has located the very heart of beauty, or "fairness."
Of course, though, he's exaggerating. He really means something like, "At this particular moment, I can't imagine anywhere being more beautiful than the place I'm standing." It's almost more a reflection of his mood than of the outside world. He can't compare the scene from the bridge with anything except his own memories, but since that's all anyone can do we'll let him run with this one.
The line ends with a colon, letting us know that he's going to tell us what earth is "showing" after the line break.
Line 2-3
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
Instead of trying to describe the scene, as we might expect by now (hurry up, a sonnet is only 14 lines long!), the speaker tries to express how beautiful it is from another angle as well.
He justifies his decision to stop his coach along the way to look at the view from the bridge.
He says that anyone who didn't stop, who just passed by with a glance, would be "dull...of soul." The opposite of dull is sharp, so we're imagining that the speaker's soul must be like one of those knives they advertise on TV that can cut through coins.
The person who could just pass by has been jaded and worn down by experience to the point of dullness. He's also boring, which is another meaning of the word "dull."
The sight from the bridge is "touching in its majesty," an intriguing phrase that suggests both intimacy and grandeur. "Touching" scenes are often small and intimate, like a kid giving flowers to his sick grandmother. "Majestic" scenes are often large and public, like a snow-covered mountain or a king entering a throne room. The view from Westminster Bridge combines both this elements.
The speaker feels both awed by and close to the landscape.
He uses another colon: maybe now he'll stop keeping us in suspense and describe this amazing view.
Lines 4-5
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning;
We learn what time it is: London "wears" the morning like a nice coat or some other piece of clothing ("garment").
These lines hint that maybe the morning, not London itself, is responsible for the stunning quality of the view. As in, the garment could be so beautiful that it doesn't matter what the person wearing it looks like. Anyone could be wearing it, and you'd be like, "That's one heck of a garment, there."
Similarly, the word "now" shows that the beauty depends on the time of day. It's a fleeting, transient beauty. Maybe when the morning is over, and London is forced to change clothes, as it were, the speaker would think, "Oh. Now it's just London again. Been there, seen that." (There we go with our skepticism again.)
Lines 5-7
silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
In general terms, the speaker describes some of the sights that are visible from Westminster Bridge.
The words "silent" and "bare" are positioned in the poem such that they could describe either the morning or the sights. Because of the semi-colon before them, the sights are the more obvious choice, but the ambiguity is important.
The setting is "silent" because of the early hour which, from Dorothy Wordsworth's journal, we know was around 5 or 6am.
"Bare" is an interesting word that means "naked" or "unadorned." It contrasts with the image of the city wearing clothing from line 4. Here, the ships and buildings are nude.
From Westminster Bridge in 1802, you could have seen a lot of the highlights of London, including the "ships" of the River Thames; the "dome" of the famous St. Paul's Cathedral, designed by the architect Christopher Wren; and the iconic Tower of London.
One thing you could not have seen in 1802, but that you could see today, is the Big Ben clock – it wasn't built yet.
Despite being all crowded together within one city, the speaker gives an impression of spaciousness by noting that the ships and buildings are "open" to the fields of London and to the sky.
One source points out that London had fields that were close to the city in 1802 but that no longer exist (source).
Line 8
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
The speaker sums up the whole scene at the end of the poem's first chunk of eight lines, called an "octet."
He focuses on the early morning summer sunlight, which makes the buildings "bright and glittering." The word "glittering" in particular suggests that the scene is not static but rather constantly changing with the shifting light.
Our favorite word in the poem is "smokeless." What a word. He means that neither the characteristic London Fog nor smoke from chimneys obscures the bright light.
In London, as in San Francisco, it is common for fog to cover the city throughout the morning. The speaker is lucky to catch the city on a morning that is completely free of fog.
Lines 9-10
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
The speaker returns to his bold claim from the beginning of the poem: that earth has never presented a scene quite so beautiful as this one.
Specifically, he compares the morning sunlight falling on the city to the sunlight that might cover more remote parts of the countryside, such as a valley, a boulder or mountainous cliff ("rock"), or a hillside.
These sights would have been more familiar to Wordsworth than the scenery of London, who spent most of his life in rural parts of England, such as the picturesque Lake District in the northwest part of the country.
"First splendour" just means morning.
Basically, he's ragging on his hometown, saying even it can't compare with this view of London.
The word "steep" means to submerge or cover – think of how you let a tea bag "steep" in water.
Lines 11-12
Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
The speaker continues on the topic of the Greatest Scene Ever. He describes how the vision of London makes him feel calm, which is perhaps surprising because London is a huge, bustling city. That's a little like sayi

1. "A sight so touching in its majesty"― What 'sight' is referred to here? How does the poet describe the 'sight'?

Ans.⇒ The sight of London city in the early morning, as seen by William Wordsworth, is referred to here.
         
           The poet is so taken by the early morning-sight of London city that he refers to it as a 'sight in its majesty'. London looks more beautiful than any other thing on the earth. It seems like the whole city of London has worn a dress made of the beauty of the morning. The air is smokeless and soundless because the time is very early in the morning. Ships, towers, domes, theatres are glittering in the smokeless air of the morning. It seems like the river is flowing in his 'own sweet will'. This kind of calmness has never been felt by the poet before. The entire city of London seems asleep.
2. Justify the title of the poem "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge".
Ans.⇒  In the poem "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge", Wordsworth expresses his feelings to the early morning beauty of the city of London. The poet watches the beauty of London city of the early morning standing on the Westminster Bridge on the River Thames. The city looks so beautiful that he cannot but says that only a man of a dull soul can pass it without seeing it. The domes, towers, ships, theatres look as if they are lying under the open sky. As viewed from the Westminster Bridge, everything in the city is glittering in the smokeless sky. From the bridge, the poet can see the river as if it is flowing freely. The poet has never experienced such calmness before. The title clearly indicates the place of such a beautiful experience. So, the title is appropriate.
3. "The city now doth, like a garment, wear . . ."― Explain the line in the context of the poem.
Ans.⇒  In the poem "Composed Upon Westminster Bridge", Wordsworth expresses his feelings to the early morning beauty of the city of London. The poet watches the city from the Westminster Bridge over the Thames River. It is early in the morning and the sun has just come out. When it golden rays fall on the city of London, everything in the city looks glittering and beautiful. The poet is so deeply touched by seeing this beautiful scene of London city that he personifies the city by saying that it wears the beauty of the morning. The poet here uses a fine simile to make others understand his feelings which he gets from this beautiful scenery of early morning London
Q.Write down the substance of the poem Upon the Westminister Bridge.
                          OR
How does William Wordsworth paint the picture of London in the poem Upon the Westminister Bridge?
Ans:-The poet is crossing the Westminster Bridge over the Thames in a coach early in the morning. The sun is just rising up and the great city of London is bathed in its first light. The poet is deeply moved by the beauty of the scene. It appears to him to be the loveliest sight. Nobody can ignore this unparalleled and splendid sight. And if there is any, he is definitely devoid of any sense of natural beauty. The city seems to wear a dress of golden sunbeams.
The city is totally silent and clearly visible. The sky is clear having no dust and no smoke. There is no noise in the atmosphere. All is calm and quiet. Everything of the city such as ships, towers, domes, theaters, temples etc is clearly visible even from the green fields that lie in distance in the unpolluted air of the early morning. All are brilliantly shining in the golden rays of the rising sun.The valley, rock and hill look lovely at sunrise. But the city of London is the loveliest. The river (Thames) flows freely. Its course is not obstructed by the movements of boats or ships. The very houses seem to be sleeping. London, the heart of the country, remains calm and quiet as if a roaring giant is stilled. The poet makes an impassioned address to God, the creator of all beauty upon the earth, to express his sincere gratitude to Him.
Q.Discuss the poem Upon the West Minister Bridge as a sonnet.
Ans:-The poet is crossing the Westminster Bridge over the Thames in a coach early in the morning. The sun is just rising up and the great city of London is bathed in its first light. The poet is deeply moved by the beauty of the scene. It appears to him to be the loveliest sight. Nobody can ignore this unparalleled and splendid sight. And if there is any, he is definitely devoid of any sense of natural beauty.The poem Upon the Westminster Bridge is a perfect sonnet. It has a regular pattern following the Italian model. The simple diction, meter and style of the poem enhance the simplicity, frankness and beauty of the theme. The poem is a pleasant one to read and perceive. It is also a brilliant romantic poem. Wordsworth, a romantic poet, creates a purely romantic expression throughout the poem. Nature is all alive to him. The beautiful objects of nature stir his inner soul and make him fascinated towards them.
Q.Discuss the poem Upon the West Minister Bridge as a romantic poem.
Ans:-The poet is crossing the Westminster Bridge over the Thames in a coach early in the morning. The sun is just rising up and the great city of London is bathed in its first light. The poet is deeply moved by the beauty of the scene. It appears to him to be the loveliest sight. Nobody can ignore this unparalleled and splendid sight. And if there is any, he is definitely devoid of any sense of natural beauty.The simple diction, meter and style of the poem enhance the simplicity, frankness and beauty of the theme. The poem is a pleasant one to read and perceive. Wordsworth, a romantic poet, creates a purely romantic expression throughout the poem. Nature is all alive to him. The beautiful objects of nature stir his inner soul and make him fascinated towards them. It is a brilliant romantic poem.
Summary
While crossing over the Westminster Bridge in an early morning the poet discovers the majestic beauty of the city of London. It seems to him to be the most beautiful scene of the planet. He declares that you’d have to be someone with no spiritual sense and no taste for beauty to pass over the bridge without stopping to marvel the sight that is so touching in its majesty. The city is wearing the beauty of the morning like a garment. It is so early in the morning that everything around is very quiet and bare. Towers, domes, theatres, temples and ships that form the vast open landscape visible from the bridge, stand before him in all their grandeur in the soft morning light. There is no fog in the air to obscure the view. The valley, rock and hill shine brightly. The river is flowing undisturbed. The poet expresses his gratitude to god for his benign gift. The city is still blissfully asleep and soon it will wake up to another busy day with hustles and bustles around.
Model answers to S.A.Q.s
1.       While crossing over the Westminster Bridge in an early morning the poet discovers the majestic beauty of the city of London.
2.       It seems to the poet to be the most beautiful scene of the planet.
3.       He declares that you’d have to be someone with no spiritual sense and no taste for beauty to pass over the bridge without stopping to marvel the sight that is so touching in its majesty.
4.       The city is wearing the beauty of the morning like a garment.
5.       It is so early in the morning that everything around is very quiet and bare.
6.       Towers, domes, theatres, temples and ships that form the vast open landscape visible from the bridge, stand before him in all their grandeur in the soft morning light.
7.       There is no fog in the air to obscure the view.
8.       The valley, rock and hill shine brightly.
9.       The river is flowing undisturbed.
10.   The poet expresses his gratitude to god for his benign gift.
11.   The city is still blissfully asleep and soon it will wake up to another busy day with hustles and bustles around.
Model answers to M.C.Q.s and S.A.Q.s
1.       Name of the bridge

Westminster Bridge

2.       Written by

William Wordsworth

3.       Upon Westminster Bridge

A sonnet/ a regular sonnet

4.       The poem describes

The city of London

5.       The river under the bridge

The Thames

6.       Time

In the early morning

7.          Earth has not anything to show more fair than …

The city of London

8.          A sight so touching

London in early morning

9.          The city wears a garment of

The beauty of the morning

10.      The air is smokeless because

Air is fogless/ vehicles and factories have not yet stared

11.      Valley, rock and hill are steeped in

The first splendour of the sun

12.      Here “splendour” means

Bright golden rays of the rising sun

13.      “The river glideth at his own sweet will” because

The ships and boats are not plying

14.      “The very houses seem asleep” means…

The occupants of the houses are asleep

15.      “Mighty heart” refers to …

The heart of all the citizens/people of the city i.e. the heart of the city of London

16.      The mood of the poem

Tranquil

17.      The poet sees London as

A part of nature

18.      The poet enhances London by using

Highlights of the city

19.      London is seen by the poet

In  the morning light

20.      One example of simile

The city wears the beauty of the morning like a garment

21.      Two examples of personification

  I.         The city wearsthe beauty of the morning

II.         The river glideth at his own sweet will
SHORT QUESTION OF "UPON WESTMINSTER BRIDGE"
1. What is sonnet? What is personification?
*   The term sonnet has come from the Italian word ‘sonetto’, which means "little song". Sonnet is a type of poem that basically contains fourteen lines and follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure.
*   Personification is a figure of speech in which an inanimate object or abstraction is given human qualities or abilities.
2. Who wrote this poem and when? ⇰ William Wordsworth wrote this poet in 31 July, 1802.
2. Where was this poem published and when? ⇰ This poem was published in “Poems in two Volumes” in 1807.
3. What kind of poem is it? ⇰ It is a sonnet.
4. From where did the poet observe the scene? ⇰ From the Westminster Bridge.
5. Which river is mentioned here? Themes River.
6. 6. What was the time? ⇰ The time was early morning.
7. With whom did the poet cross the bridge? ⇰ With his sister Dorothy.
8. Which scene is referred to here? ⇰ The early morning scene of London is referred to here.
9. Where was the poet going? ⇰ The port of Dover
10. What does the phrase ‘mighty heart’ refer? ⇰ The phrase ‘mighty heart’ refers to the city of London.
11. Who glides at his own will? ⇰ River Themes.
12. How is the river described here? ⇰ The River Themes is flowing slowly at his own will.
13. How was the air of London at that time? ⇰ The air was smokeless and clear.
14. Which objects could the poet see from the bridge? ⇰ Ships, domes, temples, theaters, towers.
15. How was the beauty of the morning? ⇰ Silent and bare.
16. How do the houses seem? ⇰ The houses seem asleep.
17. Why was the air smokeless? ⇰ Because the morning was very early.
18. Who would be dull here? ⇰ The man who would pass by without enjoying the beauty of nature, would be dull.
19. Who is Wearing morning’s beauty? ⇰ The London city.