trailing clouds of glory
Can anyone please explain a bit about the meaning of the phrase "trailing clouds of glory"?

Context:

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home

(William Wordsworth)

Question

trailing clouds of glory
Can anyone please explain a bit about the meaning of the phrase "trailing clouds of glory"?

Context:

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home

(William Wordsworth)

Answer

1. This is well known poetry.

2.  The poet describes the concept that our Soul already existed before we were born.  It comes down from heaven to join the physical body of a baby, with magnificent clouds (filled with the glory of God) following in its wake.

3.  What is "trailing"?  Following behind, as in "the train of the evening dress trailing behind", or "fighter jets leaving a white trail behind".

Ne manquez pas cette occasion d'apprendre une langue depuis chez vous. Découvrez notre sélection de professeurs de langues expérimentés et inscrivez-vous dès maintenant à votre premier cours !