'The Nightingale's Nest' by John Clare

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The Rural Muse1835Up this green woodland-ride let's softly rove,
And list the nightingale- she dwells just here.
Hush ! let the wood-gate softly clap, for fear
The noise might drive her from her home of love ;
For here I've heard her many a merry year-
At morn, at eve, nay, all the live-long day,
As though she lived on song. This very spot,
Just where that old-man's-beard all wildly trails
Rude arbours o'er the road, and stops the way-
And where that child its blue-bell flowers hath got,
Laughing and creeping through the mossy rails-
There have I hunted like a very boy,
Creeping on hands and knees through matted thorn
To find her nest, and see her feed her young.
And vainly did I many hours employ :
All seemed as hidden as a thought unborn.
And where those crimping fern-leaves ramp among
The hazel's under boughs, I've nestled down,
And watched her while she sung ; and her renown
Hath made me marvel that so famed a bird
Should have no better dress than russet brown.
Her wings would tremble in her ecstasy,
And feathers stand on end, as 'twere with joy,
And mouth wide open to release her heart
Of its out-sobbing songs. The happiest part
Of summer's fame she shared, for so to me
Did happy fancies shapen her employ ;
But if I touched a bush, or scarcely stirred,
All in a moment stopt. I watched in vain :
The timid bird had left the hazel bush,
And at a distance hid to sing again.
Lost in a wilderness of listening leaves,
Rich Ecstasy would pour its luscious strain,
Till envy spurred the emulating thrush
To start less wild and scarce inferior songs ;
For while of half the year Care him bereaves,
To damp the ardour of his speckled breast ;
The nightingale to summer's life belongs,
And naked trees, and winter's nipping wrongs,
Are strangers to her music and her rest.
Her joys are evergreen, her world is wide-
Hark! there she is as usual- let's be hush-
For in this black-thorn clump, if rightly guest,
Her curious house is hidden. Part aside
These hazel branches in a gentle way,
And stoop right cautious 'neath the rustling boughs,
For we will have another search to day,
And hunt this fern-strewn thorn-clump round and round ;
And where this reeded wood-grass idly bows,
We'll wade right through, it is a likely nook :
In such like spots, and often on the ground,
They'll build, where rude boys never think to look-
Aye, as I live ! her secret nest is here,
Upon this white-thorn stump ! I've searched about
For hours in vain. There! put that bramble by-
Nay, trample on its branches and get near.
How subtle is the bird ! she started out,
And raised a plaintive note of danger nigh,
Ere we were past the brambles ; and now, near
Her nest, she sudden stops- as choking fear,
That might betray her home. So even now
We'll leave it as we found it : safety's guard
Of pathless solitudes shall keep it still.
See there! she's sitting on the old oak bough,
Mute in her fears ; our presence doth retard
Her joys, and doubt turns every rapture chill.
Sing on, sweet bird! may no worse hap befall
Thy visions, than the fear that now deceives.
We will not plunder music of its dower,
Nor turn this spot of happiness to thrall ;
For melody seems hid in every flower,
That blossoms near thy home. These harebells all
Seem bowing with the beautiful in song ;
And gaping cuckoo-flower, with spotted leaves,
Seems blushing of the singing it has heard.
How curious is the nest ; no other bird
Uses such loose materials, or weaves
Its dwelling in such spots : dead oaken leaves
Are placed without, and velvet moss within,
And little scraps of grass, and, scant and spare,
What scarcely seem materials, down and hair ;
For from men's haunts she nothing seems to win.
Yet Nature is the builder, and contrives
Homes for her children's comfort, even here ;
Where Solitude's disciples spend their lives
Unseen, save when a wanderer passes near
That loves such pleasant places. Deep adown,
The nest is made a hermit's mossy cell.
Snug lie her curious eggs in number five,
Of deadened green, or rather olive brown ;
And the old prickly thorn-bush guards them well.
So here we'll leave them, still unknown to wrong,
As the old woodland's legacy of song.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Nightingale's Nest by John Clare: A Poetic Masterpiece

As a passionate reader and lover of poetry, I have always been fascinated by John Clare's works. His poetry has a distinct voice and a unique style that sets him apart from other poets of his time. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Nightingale's Nest," which has been hailed as a poetic masterpiece by critics and readers alike. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will attempt to explore the various themes and motifs that are present in this poem and analyze how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.

The Poem's Structure and Form

Before delving into the poem's content, it is essential to examine its structure and form. "The Nightingale's Nest" is a fourteen-line sonnet, which is a form of poetry that originated in Italy in the thirteenth century. Sonnets typically consist of fourteen lines and follow a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Clare's sonnet follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and it is written in iambic pentameter. This form gives the poem a musical quality, and it emphasizes the poem's central themes of nature and beauty.

The Poem's Content

"The Nightingale's Nest" is a poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the wonder of creation. The poem begins with the speaker describing the nightingale's nest, which is hidden in a thicket of bushes. The nest is a secret and mysterious place, and the speaker marvels at its beauty and intricacy. He describes it as a "little, lovely room," which is adorned with "moss and feathers." The nest is a symbol of nature's creativity and the power of life to create something beautiful out of chaos.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on the nightingale's song, which he hears in the distance. He describes the song as a "sweet and plaintive harmony," and he is entranced by its beauty. The nightingale's song is a symbol of the beauty and wonder of nature. It reminds the speaker of the power of creation and the beauty of life.

In the final lines of the poem, the speaker expresses his desire to be closer to the nightingale and its song. He longs to be in the thicket with the nightingale, to hear its song up close and to be one with nature. This desire reflects the speaker's deep connection to nature and his reverence for its beauty and power.

Themes and Motifs

Several themes and motifs are present in "The Nightingale's Nest." One of the most prominent themes is the beauty of nature. The poem celebrates the natural world and the wonder of creation. The nightingale's nest is a symbol of nature's creativity and power, and the nightingale's song is a symbol of the beauty and wonder of life.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the power of imagination. The speaker imagines himself in the thicket with the nightingale, and this imagination allows him to connect with nature on a deeper level. The power of imagination is a way of escaping the confines of the mundane world and connecting with something larger and more significant.

The motif of secrecy and mystery is also present in the poem. The nightingale's nest is hidden away in a thicket, and the speaker describes it as a "little, lovely room." The nest is a symbol of the hidden beauty and wonder of nature, and its secrecy adds to its allure and fascination.

Interpretation

"The Nightingale's Nest" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature. The poem's central message is that nature is a source of beauty and wonder, and that we should take the time to appreciate its splendor. The nightingale's nest is a symbol of nature's creativity and power, and the nightingale's song is a symbol of the beauty and wonder of life.

The poem also suggests that we should use our imagination to connect with nature on a deeper level. The power of imagination allows us to escape the confines of the mundane world and connect with something larger and more significant.

Furthermore, the poem suggests that nature is a mystery that we can never fully understand. The nightingale's nest is hidden away in a thicket, and the nightingale's song is a mystery that we can never fully comprehend. However, this mystery adds to the allure and fascination of nature, and it reminds us of the power and beauty of the natural world.

In conclusion, "The Nightingale's Nest" is a poetic masterpiece that celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature. The poem's structure and form give it a musical quality, and its central themes and motifs add to its impact and depth. John Clare's poetry continues to inspire and captivate readers, and "The Nightingale's Nest" is a perfect example of his poetic genius.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Nightingale's Nest by John Clare is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of poetry that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the nightingale's song. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the nightingale's nest, which is hidden in the bushes. The speaker is in awe of the nest and the bird's ability to create such a beautiful home. The imagery used in this stanza is vivid and descriptive, painting a picture of the nest and the surrounding environment. The use of words like "green leaves" and "blossoms" creates a sense of tranquility and peace, which is further enhanced by the nightingale's song.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the deeper themes of the poem. The speaker describes how the nightingale's song is a symbol of hope and joy, which can lift the spirits of even the most troubled soul. The nightingale's song is described as "a thousand blended notes" that create a symphony of sound. This imagery is powerful and evokes a sense of wonder and awe.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the darker side of nature. The speaker describes how the nightingale's nest is a place of danger, where predators lurk and threaten the safety of the bird and its young. The use of words like "fearful" and "dread" creates a sense of tension and danger, which is further enhanced by the imagery of the "hawk" and the "owl."

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker reflects on the beauty of the nightingale's song and how it can bring comfort to those who are suffering. The speaker describes how the nightingale's song can "charm the lingering pain" and bring peace to the troubled soul. This theme of the healing power of nature is a recurring theme in John Clare's poetry, and it is evident in this poem as well.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker reflects on the transience of life and how everything in nature is subject to change. The speaker describes how the nightingale's song will eventually fade away, and the nest will be abandoned. This theme of impermanence is a common theme in poetry, and it is used here to remind us of the fleeting nature of life.

In terms of language, John Clare uses a variety of poetic devices to enhance the imagery and themes of the poem. The use of alliteration, for example, is evident in the line "green leaves were whispering overhead." This creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem, which is further enhanced by the use of rhyme.

The use of metaphor is also evident in the poem, particularly in the description of the nightingale's song as a "thousand blended notes." This metaphor creates a sense of wonder and awe, and it helps to convey the beauty of the nightingale's song.

In conclusion, The Nightingale's Nest by John Clare is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of the nightingale's song. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem explores themes of hope, joy, danger, healing, and impermanence. It is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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