Through torrid tracts with fainting steps they go, Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe

Through torrid tracts with fainting steps they go, Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe

The lines "Through torrid tracts with fainting steps they go, Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe" evoke a sense of struggle and hardship faced by individuals as they navigate through difficult terrain. These lines are from the poem "The Traveller" by Oliver Goldsmith, a renowned Irish poet and playwright known for his poignant and reflective works.

In this particular excerpt, Goldsmith paints a vivid picture of travelers making their way through oppressive heat and challenging landscapes, with the river Altama serving as a constant reminder of their suffering. The use of the word "torrid" conveys a sense of intense heat and discomfort, while "fainting steps" suggests exhaustion and weariness. The mention of Altama murmuring to their woe adds a haunting quality to the scene, as if the river itself is lamenting the hardships endured by the travelers.

Goldsmith's choice of language and imagery in these lines reflects his keen observation of human experience and his ability to capture the emotional and physical toll of difficult journeys. Throughout his works, Goldsmith often explored themes of poverty, displacement, and the struggles of everyday people, drawing on his own experiences and observations of society.