'To The Daisy (first poem)' by William Wordsworth


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"Her divine skill taught me this,
That from every thing I saw
I could some instruction draw,
And raise pleasure to the height
Through the meanest objects sight.
By the murmur of a spring,
Or the least bough's rustelling;
By a Daisy whose leaves spread
Shut when Titan goes to bed;
Or a shady bush or tree;
She could more infuse in me
Than all Nature's beauties can
In some other wiser man.'
G. Wither. * His muse.

IN youth from rock to rock I went,
From hill to hill in discontent
Of pleasure high and turbulent,
Most pleased when most uneasy;
But now my own delights I make,--
My thirst at every rill can slake,
And gladly Nature's love partake,
Of Thee, sweet Daisy!

Thee Winter in the garland wears
That thinly decks his few grey hairs;
Spring parts the clouds with softest airs,
That she may sun thee;
Whole Summer-fields are thine by right;
And Autumn, melancholy Wight!
Doth in thy crimson head delight
When rains are on thee.

In shoals and bands, a morrice train,
Thou greet'st the traveller in the lane;
Pleased at his greeting thee again;
Yet nothing daunted,
Nor grieved if thou be set at nought:
And oft alone in nooks remote
We meet thee, like a pleasant thought,
When such are wanted.

Be violets in their secret mews
The flowers the wanton Zephyrs choose;
Proud be the rose, with rains and dews
Her head impearling,
Thou liv'st with less ambitious aim,
Yet hast not gone without thy fame;
Thou art indeed by many a claim
The Poet's darling.

If to a rock from rains he fly,
Or, some bright day of April sky,
Imprisoned by hot sunshine lie
Near the green holly,
And wearily at length should fare;
He needs but look about, and there
Thou art!--a friend at hand, to scare
His melancholy.

A hundred times, by rock or bower,
Ere thus I have lain couched an hour,
Have I derived from thy sweet power
Some apprehension;
Some steady love; some brief delight;
Some memory that had taken flight;
Some chime of fancy wrong or right;
Or stray invention.

If stately passions in me burn,
And one chance look to Thee should turn,
I drink out of an humbler urn
A lowlier pleasure;
The homely sympathy that heeds
The common life, our nature breeds;
A wisdom fitted to the needs
Of hearts at leisure.

Fresh-smitten by the morning ray,
When thou art up, alert and gay,
Then, cheerful Flower! my spirits play
With kindred gladness:
And when, at dusk, by dews opprest
Thou sink'st, the image of thy rest
Hath often eased my pensive breast
Of careful sadness.

And all day long I number yet,
All seasons through, another debt,
Which I, wherever thou art met,
To thee am owing;
An instinct call it, a blind sense;
A happy, genial influence,
Coming one knows not how, nor whence,
Nor whither going.

Child of the Year! that round dost run
Thy pleasant course,--when day's begun
As ready to salute the sun
As lark or leveret,
Thy long-lost praise thou shalt regain;
Nor be less dear to future men
Than in old time;--thou not in vain
Art Nature's favourite.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To the Daisy: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

William Wordsworth's "To the Daisy" is a beautiful poem that speaks of the natural world and the emotional connections humans can have with it. To better understand this classic piece of poetry, let's dive into the literary criticism and interpretation of "To the Daisy."

The Poem - A Brief Overview

"To the Daisy" was first published in 1807 in "Poems in Two Volumes," and it is the first poem in the collection. The poem is a tribute to the daisy, a simple flower that grows in fields and meadows. It is a lyrical poem that uses natural imagery to convey the speaker's emotional connection to the natural world.

Analysis of the Poem

Form and Structure

"To the Daisy" is a 24-line poem that is written in iambic tetrameter. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza consisting of eight lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCCDD.

The form and structure of the poem are important because they help create a musical quality that draws readers into the poem. The use of iambic tetrameter gives the poem a rhythm that is easy to follow, which helps readers focus on the meaning of the words. The rhyme scheme also adds to the musical quality of the poem and helps unify the stanzas.

Language and Imagery

One of the most notable aspects of "To the Daisy" is the language and imagery used in the poem. Wordsworth uses vivid descriptions of the natural world to create a sense of wonder and awe in the reader. For example, he describes the daisy as a "little cyclops, with one eye" and a "darling of the fields." These vivid descriptions help the reader connect with the natural world and feel a sense of reverence for it.

The poem also contains a number of metaphors and similes. For example, Wordsworth compares the daisy to "the stars that shine / And twinkle on the milky way." This comparison helps the reader see the daisy in a new way and appreciate its beauty and uniqueness.

Themes and Meaning

"To the Daisy" is a poem that is rich in themes and meaning. One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the connection between humans and the natural world. Wordsworth suggests that the natural world has a profound emotional impact on humans and that we should appreciate and protect it.

The poem also explores the theme of beauty and how it can be found in unexpected places. The daisy, which is often considered a weed, is presented as a beautiful and valuable part of the natural world. This theme encourages readers to look beyond surface appearances and find beauty in unexpected places.

Tone and Mood

The tone and mood of "To the Daisy" are peaceful and reflective. The poem's lyrical quality and the use of natural imagery create a sense of calm and tranquility. The speaker's emotional connection to the natural world is conveyed through the contemplative tone of the poem.

Historical and Cultural Context

"To the Daisy" was written at a time when the natural world was becoming increasingly important in literature and art. Wordsworth was part of the Romantic movement, which placed a great emphasis on nature and emotion. The poem reflects this cultural context by exploring the beauty and emotional power of the natural world.

Interpretation of the Poem

"To the Daisy" is a poem that invites readers to connect with the natural world and appreciate its beauty. The poem suggests that humans have a deep emotional connection to the natural world and that we should cherish and protect it.

The use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language helps the reader see the daisy in a new light and appreciate its beauty. The poem encourages readers to look beyond surface appearances and find beauty in unexpected places.

The peaceful and reflective tone of the poem helps create a sense of calm and tranquility that is conducive to contemplation and self-reflection. The poem invites readers to slow down and appreciate the natural world around them.

Overall, "To the Daisy" is a beautiful and meaningful poem that speaks to the power of nature and the emotional connections humans can have with it. It is a testament to the enduring importance of the natural world in literature and art.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "To the Daisy" is a masterpiece of poetry that speaks to the beauty and emotional power of the natural world. The poem's use of language and imagery invites readers to connect with the natural world and appreciate its beauty. The calm and reflective tone of the poem encourages readers to slow down and appreciate the world around them. Overall, "To the Daisy" is a wonderful example of the enduring importance of nature in literature and art.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To The Daisy: A Masterpiece by William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, was known for his love for nature and his ability to capture its beauty in his poetry. One of his most famous poems, Poetry To The Daisy, is a perfect example of his love for nature and his ability to express it in words.

The poem is a tribute to the daisy, a simple yet beautiful flower that is often overlooked. Wordsworth uses the daisy as a symbol of nature and its ability to bring joy and happiness to our lives. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire us and fill us with wonder.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the daisy, “With little here to do or see”. The speaker is acknowledging the simplicity of the daisy and its humble surroundings. The daisy is not a grand flower like the rose or the lily, but it is still beautiful in its own way. The speaker then goes on to say, “With little here to do or see, / Of things that in the great world be”. The speaker is contrasting the daisy’s simple surroundings with the grandeur of the world. The daisy may be small and simple, but it is still a part of the great world and has its own beauty and significance.

The speaker then goes on to describe the daisy’s beauty, “Fair flower! that dost so comely grow, / Hid in this silent, dull retreat”. The speaker is admiring the daisy’s beauty and the way it grows in a quiet and unassuming place. The daisy may not be found in grand gardens or fancy flower beds, but it still manages to capture our attention and fill us with wonder.

The speaker then goes on to describe the daisy’s ability to bring joy and happiness to our lives, “Untouched thy honied blossoms blow, / Unseen thy little branches greet; / No roving foot shall crush thee here, / No busy hand provoke a tear”. The speaker is highlighting the daisy’s innocence and its ability to bring joy and happiness to our lives. The daisy is not threatened by the outside world and is free to grow and flourish in its own way.

The speaker then goes on to describe the daisy’s ability to inspire us and fill us with wonder, “By Nature’s self in white arrayed, / She bade thee shun the vulgar eye, / And planted here the guardian shade, / And sent soft waters murmuring by”. The speaker is acknowledging the daisy’s beauty and its ability to inspire us. The daisy is not just a simple flower, but it is a symbol of nature and its ability to bring joy and wonder to our lives.

The poem ends with the speaker addressing the daisy once again, “Ah! Sister of the Spring-time flowers, / That art so lovely, pure, and gay!”. The speaker is acknowledging the daisy’s beauty and its significance in the natural world. The daisy may be small and simple, but it is still a part of the natural world and has its own beauty and significance.

In conclusion, Poetry To The Daisy is a masterpiece by William Wordsworth that celebrates the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire us and fill us with wonder. The poem is a tribute to the daisy, a simple yet beautiful flower that is often overlooked. Wordsworth uses the daisy as a symbol of nature and its ability to bring joy and happiness to our lives. The poem is a celebration of the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire us and fill us with wonder.

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