quotes

• “I heard a thousand blended notes,

  While in a grove I sate reclined,

  In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

  Bring sad thoughts to the mind.” 

  • The poem begins by describing the speaker’s experience as he sits in a grove
  • Although the mood is positive and “sweet”, the speaker hears a variety of sounds 
  • The speaker refers to pleasant thoughts that then bring sad thoughts to mind
• “To her fair works did Nature link

  The human soul that through me ran;

  And much it grieved my heart to think

  What man has made of man.”

  • The speaker considers how the beauty of nature connects the soul with the universe
  • However, they are saddened to reflect on what humankind has done to itself
• “Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,

  The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;

  And ’tis my faith that every flower

  Enjoys the air it breathes.”

  • The speaker describes what they see in the grove
  • They describe the flowers (primroses and periwinkle) and the green tree branches
  • The speaker believes every flower enjoys being part of nature 
• “The birds around me hopped and played,

  Their thoughts I cannot measure:—

  But the least motion which they made

  It seemed a thrill of pleasure.”

  • The speaker describes the birds as cheerful and playful
  • The speaker says they cannot guess the thoughts of animals, but they seem happy in simple activities
• “The budding twigs spread out their fan,

  To catch the breezy air;

  And I must think, do all I can,

  That there was pleasure there.” 

  • The speaker observes how the buds on a tree’s branches appear to surrender themselves to the elements
  • The speaker believes that this action brings pleasure 
• “If this belief from heaven be sent,

  If such be Nature’s holy plan,

  Have I not reason to lament

  What man has made of man?”

  • The speaker summarises their observations with religious imagery
  • They wonder if God has provided this experience to make humans question their role in the universe  
  • The speaker says this brings reason to “lament” (to complain about man’s actions)