When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer. - A poem by Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman - When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer.

WHEN I heard the learn’d astronomer; 
When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me; 
When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them; 
When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much applause in the
	lecture-room, 
How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick;
Till rising and gliding out, I wander’d off by myself, 
In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, 
Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.

Added: on May 28th, 2007 at 12:26 AM | Viewed: 14003 times | Comments and analysis of When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer. by Walt Whitman Comments (27)

When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer. - Comments and Information
Poet: Walt Whitman Poem: 5. When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer. Volume: Leaves of Grass - 15. Songs of Parting Year: Published/Written in 1900 Comment 27 of 27, added on October 23rd, 2007 at 1:00 PM. I really enjoyed this poem. It really made me think!! Lola from Belize Comment 26 of 27, added on June 2nd, 2007 at 8:37 PM. It is said that science murders of the beautyof art. By science discovery, fantastic fairies are broke. But does science bring material wealthy? yeats from China Comment 25 of 27, added on May 28th, 2007 at 12:26 AM. Like many have said before me, I believe that Whitman is trying to communicate the fact that the scientific process is inferior to a natural, romantic, and personal interaction with the subject beings studied. (This is pretty evident in the diction of the poem--how it changes...) DaHaz (MY) from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer., has received 27 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Walt Whitman with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Walt Whitman Poem: 5. When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer. Volume: Leaves of Grass - 15. Songs of Parting Year: Published/Written in 1900 Last read: May 14 2008, 10:35PM Viewed 14003 times. Added on May 28th, 2007 at 12:26 AM.

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