At its core, “Behold” is a poem that invites the reader to observe and contemplate the world with a sense of reverence and humility. The title itself, Behold, functions as a call to attention—urging us to pause and truly see the natural beauty and deeper truths surrounding us.
Barbauld’s poem encapsulates the Romantic-era fascination with nature as a source of wisdom and spiritual nourishment. Through vivid imagery and measured tone, she explores themes such as:
The Majesty of Nature: Barbauld encourages readers to appreciate the grandeur and delicacy of the natural world, portraying it as both a refuge and a revelation.
Human Mortality and Transience: The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of human life in contrast to the enduring cycles of nature.
Divine Presence: There is an underlying spiritual dimension, where nature serves as a testament to a higher order or divine power, aligning with Barbauld’s Christian beliefs.
Unlike the more exuberant Romantic poets who would follow later, Barbauld’s voice is sober and didactic, offering gentle wisdom rather than passionate outbursts. Her poetry serves both to instruct and to inspire thoughtful contemplation.
Behold by Anna Laetitia Barbauld
Behold, where breathing love divine,
Our dying Master stands!
His weeping followers gathering round
Receive his last commands.
From that mild teacher’s parting lips
What tender accents fell!
The gentle precept which he gave
Became its author well.
“Blest is the man whose softening heart
Feels all another’s pain;
To whom the supplicating eye
Was never raised in vain.“Whose breast expands with generous warmth
A stranger’s woes to feel;
And bleeds in pity o’er the wound
He wants the power to heal.
“He spreads his kind supporting arms
To every child of grief;
His secret bounty largely flows,
And brings unasked relief.
“To gentle offices of love
His feet are never slow;
He views through mercy’s melting eye
A brother in a foe.
“Peace from the bosom of his God,
My peace to him I give;
And when he kneels before the throne,
His trembling soul shall live.“To him protection shall be shown,
And mercy from above
Descend on those who thus fulfill
The perfect law of love.”
Literary Style and Structure
“Behold” is characteristic of Barbauld’s elegant and clear poetic style. She favours precise diction, balanced rhythms, and lucid imagery that guide the reader steadily through her meditation.
The poem is typically composed in regular stanzas with a consistent rhyme scheme, reflecting Barbauld’s adherence to classical poetic forms while also embracing the emerging Romantic sensibility. This formal structure lends a sense of order and harmony that reinforces the poem’s themes of natural and moral balance.
Her use of enjambment—where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next—creates a flowing, continuous motion, mirroring the seamless rhythms of nature itself. Meanwhile, her imagery is carefully chosen to evoke both the tangible beauty of the physical world and the intangible mysteries it suggests.
Historical and Cultural Context
Barbauld’s work, including “Behold”, should be understood within the context of the late eighteenth century, a period of great intellectual ferment. The Enlightenment emphasis on reason, empirical observation, and moral improvement deeply influenced her writing. Yet, she also anticipated Romantic preoccupations with emotion, nature, and the individual spirit.
As a female poet in a predominantly male literary culture, Barbauld broke new ground. Her poems addressed both adult and young audiences, blending education with poetic elegance. “Behold” exemplifies her ability to engage the reader’s intellect and imagination, promoting a respectful relationship with the natural world and with one’s own moral consciousness.
Legacy
Though not as widely known today as Wordsworth or Coleridge, Anna Laetitia Barbauld was instrumental in shaping early Romantic poetry and children’s literature. “Behold” stands as a testament to her contemplative voice—one that bridges the Age of Reason and the Romantic era.
Her poetry continues to be studied for its moral earnestness, stylistic grace, and pioneering role in expanding the scope of poetic expression. “Behold” invites modern readers to slow down, observe the world with care, and consider their place within it—an invitation that remains timeless.