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


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Sweet Flower! belike one day to have
A place upon thy Poet's grave,
I welcome thee once more:
But He, who was on land, at sea,
My Brother, too, in loving thee,
Although he loved more silently,
Sleeps by his native shore.

Ah! hopeful, hopeful was the day
When to that Ship he bent his way,
To govern and to guide:
His wish was gained: a little time
Would bring him back in manhood's prime
And free for life, these hills to climb;
With all his wants supplied.

And full of hope day followed day
While that stout Ship at anchor lay
Beside the shores of Wight;
The May had then made all things green;
And, floating there, in pomp serene,
That Ship was goodly to be seen,
His pride and his delight!

Yet then, when called ashore, he sought
The tender peace of rural thought:
In more than happy mood
To your abodes, bright daisy Flowers!
He then would steal at leisure hours,
And loved you glittering in your bowers
A starry multitude.

But hark the word!--the ship is gone;--
Returns from her long course:--anon
Sets sail:--in season due,
Once more on English earth they stand:
But, when a third time from the land
They parted, sorrow was at hand
For Him and for his crew.

Ill-fated Vessel!--ghastly shock!
--At length delivered from the rock,
The deep she hath regained;
And through the stormy night they steer;
Labouring for life, in hope and fear,
To reach a safer shore--how near,
Yet not to be attained!

"Silence!" the brave Commander cried:
To that calm word a shriek replied,
It was the last death-shriek.
--A few (my soul oft sees that sight)
Survive upon the tall mast's height;
But one dear remnant of the night--
For Him in vain I seek.

Six weeks beneath the moving sea
He lay in slumber quietly;
Unforced by wind or wave
To quit the Ship for which he died,
(All claims of duty satisfied;)
And there they found him at her side;
And bore him to the grave.

Vain service! yet not vainly done
For this, if other end were none,
That He, who had been cast
Upon a way of life unmeet
For such a gentle Soul and sweet,
Should find an undisturbed retreat
Near what he loved, at last--

That neighbourhood of grove and field
To Him a resting-place should yield,
A meek man and a brave!
The birds shall sing and ocean make
A mournful murmur for 'his' sake;
And Thou, sweet Flower, shalt sleep and wake
Upon his senseless grave.

Editor 1 Interpretation

To the Daisy by William Wordsworth

Oh daisy, beloved flower of the meadow, what secrets do you hold? What message do you carry on your petal wings? William Wordsworth, a renowned poet of the Romantic era, wrote a beautiful poem titled "To the Daisy" that captures the essence of this humble yet remarkable flower. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deeper into the themes, literary devices, and poetic techniques used in this piece.

Literary Context

Before we analyze the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the literary context of the Romantic era. The Romantic poets were known for their emphasis on nature, individualism, and emotion. They rejected the Enlightenment's focus on reason and rationalism and sought to reconnect with the natural world. Wordsworth was a prominent figure in this movement and was known for his love of nature and his ability to find beauty in the simplest things.

Themes

One of the main themes of "To the Daisy" is the idea of innocence and purity. Wordsworth writes, "Thee, Queen of Flowers!--so mild, so beautiful, / So pure of thought." The daisy, with its simple yet elegant beauty, represents an innocent and uncorrupted form of nature. Wordsworth also uses the daisy as a symbol of childhood and the loss of innocence that comes with growing up. He writes, "Innocent offspring of the fearless spring, / And ever faithful comrade of the green." The daisy is a reminder of a time when we were all innocent and unburdened by the complexities of adulthood.

Another theme in the poem is the idea of interconnectedness. Wordsworth writes, "Thou unassuming Commonplace / Of Nature." The daisy, though unassuming, is a vital part of the natural world. It is connected to everything around it, from the birds that perch on its stem to the soil it grows in. Wordsworth also hints at the idea that everything in nature is connected to something greater, perhaps a divine force. He writes, "And think that there / A Master Spirit dwells."

Literary Devices

Wordsworth uses several literary devices in "To the Daisy" to enhance the poem's meaning and beauty. One of the most prominent devices is personification, where he attributes human qualities to the daisy. He writes, "Serene, and fitted to embrace / Meekly thy lucid space." By personifying the daisy in this way, Wordsworth creates a sense of intimacy and connection with the flower.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Wordsworth uses vivid descriptions of the daisy and its surroundings to create a picture in the reader's mind. He writes, "Thy hues were ranging, and thy sunny face / Bright as the heavens, that lit thy dwelling-place." Through these descriptions, Wordsworth invites the reader to immerse themselves in the natural world and experience its beauty.

Poetic Techniques

Wordsworth uses several poetic techniques in "To the Daisy" to enhance its rhythm and flow. One of these techniques is alliteration, where he repeats the same sound at the beginning of multiple words. He writes, "And ever, with a thankful heart, / For beauty that is free." The repeated "t" sound in "thankful heart" and "beauty that is free" creates a musical quality to the poem.

Another poetic technique used in the poem is rhyme. Wordsworth employs a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB throughout the poem, which adds to its musicality. He writes, "Bright Flower! for by that name at last, / When all my reveries are past." The rhyme scheme helps to unify the poem and bring a sense of closure to each stanza.

Interpretation

"To the Daisy" is a beautiful and thoughtful poem that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. Wordsworth uses the daisy as a symbol of innocence, purity, and interconnectedness, inviting the reader to reflect on their own relationship with the natural world. Through his vivid descriptions and poetic techniques, Wordsworth creates a sense of intimacy and connection with the reader, drawing them into his world of wonder and beauty.

In conclusion, "To the Daisy" is a masterpiece of Romantic literature that celebrates the beauty and simplicity of the natural world. Its timeless themes and literary devices make it a must-read for anyone who loves poetry or wants to reconnect with nature. So go out there, find a daisy, and let its beauty inspire you to new heights of creativity and wonder.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To The Daisy: A Celebration of Nature's Beauty

William Wordsworth, one of the most renowned poets of the Romantic era, was known for his love for nature and his ability to capture its essence in his poetry. One of his most famous poems, "Poetry To The Daisy," is a beautiful tribute to the simple yet profound beauty of nature.

The poem, which is the fourth in a series of five poems called "The Daisy," was written in 1802 and published in 1807. It is a short, eight-line poem that celebrates the beauty of the daisy, a small and unassuming flower that is often overlooked.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the daisy, saying, "With little here to do or see / Of things that in the great world be." The speaker is acknowledging that the daisy is a small and insignificant part of the world, but goes on to say that it is still important and beautiful in its own right.

The second stanza of the poem is where Wordsworth really shines as a poet. He describes the daisy as "a simple flower / That grows upon our human hearth." This line is significant because it shows that the daisy is not just a part of nature, but also a part of human life. It grows in our gardens and on our lawns, and is a part of our daily lives.

Wordsworth then goes on to describe the daisy as "a household thing in truth," further emphasizing its connection to human life. He then says that the daisy is "a flower of love," which is a beautiful sentiment. The daisy, with its simple beauty, represents the love that exists in the world.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Wordsworth writes, "And therefore, Mary, this bouquet / Of simple truth I offer you." The speaker is addressing Mary, who is likely a loved one or a friend. By offering her a bouquet of daisies, the speaker is not only celebrating the beauty of nature, but also expressing his love for Mary.

Overall, "Poetry To The Daisy" is a beautiful tribute to the simple yet profound beauty of nature. Wordsworth's ability to capture the essence of the daisy and its connection to human life is truly remarkable. The poem is a reminder that even the smallest and most insignificant things in life can be beautiful and meaningful.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its simplicity. The poem is only eight lines long, and the language is straightforward and easy to understand. However, this simplicity is what makes the poem so powerful. Wordsworth is able to convey his message without using flowery language or complex metaphors.

Another important aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. Wordsworth's descriptions of the daisy are vivid and evocative. For example, when he describes the daisy as "a simple flower / That grows upon our human hearth," we can picture the daisy growing in a garden or on a lawn. This imagery helps to bring the poem to life and make it more relatable.

The poem also has a strong emotional impact. Wordsworth's use of the daisy as a symbol of love and beauty is deeply moving. The final stanza, in which the speaker offers a bouquet of daisies to Mary, is particularly touching. The poem reminds us of the importance of love and the beauty that exists in the world.

In conclusion, "Poetry To The Daisy" is a beautiful and powerful poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the importance of love. Wordsworth's ability to capture the essence of the daisy and its connection to human life is truly remarkable. The poem is a reminder that even the smallest and most insignificant things in life can be beautiful and meaningful.

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