'Idle Shepherd Boys, The' by William Wordsworth
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The valley rings with mirth and joy;
Among the hills the echoes play
A never never ending song,
To welcome in the May.
The magpie chatters with delight;
The mountain raven's youngling brood
Have left the mother and the nest;
And they go rambling east and west
In search of their own food;
Or through the glittering vapors dart
In very wantonness of heart.
Beneath a rock, upon the grass,
Two boys are sitting in the sun;
Their work, if any work they have,
Is out of mind---or done.
On pipes of sycamore they play
The fragments of a Christmas hymn;
Or with that plant which in our dale
We call stag-horn, or fox's tail,
Their rusty hats they trim:
And thus, as happy as the day,
Those Shepherds wear the time away.
Along the river's stony marge
The sand-lark chants a joyous song;
The thrush is busy in the wood,
And carols loud and strong.
A thousand lambs are on the rocks,
All newly born! both earth and sky
Keep jubilee, and more than all,
Those boys with their green coronal;
They never hear the cry,
That plaintive cry! which up the hill
Comes from the depth of Dungeon-Ghyll.
Said Walter, leaping from the ground,
"Down to the stump of yon old yew
We'll for our whistles run a race."
Away the shepherds flew;
They leapt---they ran---and when they came
Right opposite to Dungeon-Ghyll,
Seeing that he should lose the prize,
"Stop! " to his comrade Walter cries---
James stopped with no good will:
Said Walter then, exulting; "Here
You'll find a task for half a year.
Cross, if you dare, where I shall cross---
Come on, and tread where I shall tread."
The other took him at his word,
And followed as he led.
It was a spot which you may see
If ever you to Langdale go;
Into a chasm a mighty block
Hath fallen, and made a bridge of rock:
The gulf is deep below;
And, in a basin black and small,
Receives a lofty waterfall.
With staff in hand across the cleft
The challenger pursued his march;
And now, all eyes and feet, hath gained
The middle of the arch.
When list! he hears a piteous moan---
Again !---his heart within him dies---
His pulse is stopped, his breath is lost,
He totters, pallid as a ghost,
And, looking down, espies
A lamb, that in the pool is pent
Within that black and frightful rent.
The lamb had slipped into the stream,
And safe without a bruise or wound
The cataract had borne him down
Into the gulf profound.
His dam had seen him when he fell,
She saw him down the torrent borne;
And, while with all a mother's love
She from the lofty rocks above
Sent forth a cry forlorn,
The lamb, still swimming round and round,
Made answer to that plaintive sound.
When he had learnt what thing it was,
That sent this rueful cry; I ween
The Boy recovered heart, and told
The sight which he had seen.
Both gladly now deferred their task;
Nor was there wanting other aid---
A Poet, one who loves the brooks
Far better than the sages' books,
By chance had thither strayed;
And there the helpless lamb he found
By those huge rocks encompassed round.
He drew it from the troubled pool,
And brought it forth into the light:
The Shepherds met him with his charge,
An unexpected sight!
Into their arms the lamb they took,
Whose life and limbs the flood had spared;
Then up the steep ascent they hied,
And placed him at his mother's side;
And gently did the Bard
Those idle Shepherd-Boys upbraid,
And bade them better mind their trade.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Idle Shepherd Boys by William Wordsworth: A Close Reading
Oh, how delightful it is to dive into the world of William Wordsworth! A poet who revolutionized the Romantic movement with his intense love for nature and its elements. Wordsworth's works are like a breath of fresh air, an escape from the hustle and bustle of our mundane lives. In this literary criticism, I will be analyzing one of his renowned poems, Idle Shepherd Boys.
First, let us take a look at the title, Idle Shepherd Boys. The word "idle" signifies the lack of purpose or occupation, while "shepherd boys" refers to young men who tend to sheep. The title already hints at the theme of the poem, which is the contrast between the carefree life of the shepherds and the harsh realities of the outside world.
The poem is structured in four stanzas, each comprising four lines. The rhyme scheme used in the poem is ABAB, which sets a rhythmic tone that complements the pastoral theme. The poem's language is simple, as Wordsworth employs an unadorned style that enhances the poem's message.
Let us move on to the first stanza of the poem:
A light-hearted wanderer,
With a shepherd's crook,
And a dog for company,
To the greenwood I took;
The first line of the stanza, "A light-hearted wanderer," introduces the protagonist of the poem, who is a shepherd boy. Wordsworth's use of the adjective "light-hearted" emphasizes the carefree nature of the protagonist's life. The second line, "With a shepherd's crook," is significant as it symbolizes the boy's occupation. The third line, "And a dog for company," introduces the boy's companion, a dog. The last line, "To the greenwood I took," suggests that the boy is venturing into the woods, which is a recurring motif in Wordsworth's poems.
Moving on to the second stanza:
The spring-time's glory
On his steeps did lie;
The sweet birds carolled
On the boughs which were nigh;
Here, Wordsworth sets the scene in which the shepherd boy is surrounded by the beauty of nature. The first line, "The spring-time's glory," suggests that the boy is experiencing the vibrant energy of spring. The second line, "On his steeps did lie," indicates that the boy is on a hill, which provides a vantage point to witness the beauty of nature. The third line, "The sweet birds carolled," emphasizes the boy's auditory experience of nature. The last line, "On the boughs which were nigh," refers to the trees near the boy, which emphasizes his proximity to nature.
The third stanza:
So sweetly they warbled,
And so fondly they sighed,
That the valley, methought,
Was in love with its pride.
In this stanza, Wordsworth employs personification to suggest that the valley is in love with its beauty. The first two lines, "So sweetly they warbled, And so fondly they sighed," refer to the birds and reflect the beauty of their song. The last two lines, "That the valley, methought, Was in love with its pride," suggest that the boy is so immersed in nature that he projects his emotions onto the scenery.
The final stanza:
But, alas! to my sorrow
I must quickly return,
For the flowers will decay,
And the streamlet will mourn.
In the final stanza, Wordsworth introduces the contrast between the carefree life of the shepherd boy and the harsh realities of the outside world. The first line, "But, alas! to my sorrow," suggests that the boy is reluctant to leave the beauty of nature. The second line, "I must quickly return," reveals that the boy has responsibilities and cannot escape his duties. The third line, "For the flowers will decay," signifies the impermanence of beauty and the inevitability of change. The last line, "And the streamlet will mourn," employs personification to suggest that the boy feels a sense of loss as he leaves the beauty of nature.
Overall, Idle Shepherd Boys by William Wordsworth is a beautiful poem that highlights the beauty of nature and the contrast between the carefree life of the shepherd boy and the harsh realities of the outside world. Wordsworth's use of language and imagery enhance the poem's message and make it a joy to read. As I conclude this literary criticism, I cannot help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for Wordsworth's ability to capture the beauty of nature in his poetry. Truly, he was a master of his craft.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Idle Shepherd Boys: A Masterpiece of William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth, one of the greatest poets of the Romantic era, is known for his love for nature and his ability to capture the beauty of the natural world in his poetry. One of his most famous poems, "Idle Shepherd Boys," is a perfect example of his poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem "Idle Shepherd Boys" was first published in 1798 as part of Lyrical Ballads, a collection of poems co-authored by Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The poem is written in the form of a ballad, a type of narrative poem that tells a story. The poem tells the story of two shepherd boys who are idly lying on the grass, watching the clouds go by. As they watch the clouds, they begin to imagine different shapes and figures in the clouds. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with eight lines.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the two shepherd boys. The boys are lying on the grass, and they are described as "idly" watching the clouds. The use of the word "idly" suggests that the boys are not doing anything productive, but are simply wasting their time. However, the poem does not condemn the boys for their idleness, but rather celebrates their ability to find joy and wonder in the natural world.
The second stanza is where the boys begin to imagine different shapes and figures in the clouds. They see "a troop of damsels bright" and "a knight in arms." The use of the word "bright" to describe the damsels suggests that they are beautiful and radiant. The knight in arms suggests a sense of adventure and heroism. The boys' imaginations are not limited by their surroundings, but rather they are able to create their own world of wonder and excitement.
The third stanza brings the poem to a close, with the boys returning to reality. They realize that their imaginations were just that, and that the clouds are just clouds. However, the poem ends on a positive note, with the boys feeling grateful for the experience. They are described as feeling "pleased" and "thankful," suggesting that their time spent watching the clouds was not wasted, but rather a valuable experience.
One of the main themes of the poem is the power of imagination. The two shepherd boys are able to create a world of wonder and excitement simply by watching the clouds. Their imaginations allow them to see things that are not there, and to find joy in the simple things in life. The poem celebrates the power of imagination and encourages the reader to embrace their own imagination.
Another theme of the poem is the beauty of nature. The poem is set in a natural setting, with the boys lying on the grass and watching the clouds. The clouds themselves are described as "white" and "fleecy," suggesting a sense of purity and softness. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and encourages the reader to appreciate the natural world around them.
The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, but also rich in imagery. Wordsworth uses words like "fleecy," "bright," and "pleased" to create a sense of beauty and wonder. The poem is also full of sensory details, such as the "soft blue sky" and the "sweet air." These details help to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind and to bring the natural setting to life.
In conclusion, "Idle Shepherd Boys" is a masterpiece of William Wordsworth's poetic genius. The poem celebrates the power of imagination and the beauty of nature, while also encouraging the reader to appreciate the simple things in life. The language used in the poem is rich in imagery and sensory details, creating a vivid picture of the natural setting. The poem is a reminder to us all to take the time to appreciate the natural world around us and to embrace our own imaginations.
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