'The Landrail' by John Clare

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How sweet and pleasant grows the way
Through summer time again
While Landrails call from day to day
Amid the grass and grainWe hear it in the weeding time
When knee deep waves the corn
We hear it in the summers prime
Through meadows night and mornAnd now I hear it in the grass
That grows as sweet again
And let a minutes notice pass
And now tis in the grainTis like a fancy everywhere
A sort of living doubt
We know tis something but it neer
Will blab the secret outIf heard in close or meadow plots
It flies if we pursue
But follows if we notice not
The close and meadow throughBoys know the note of many a bird
In their birdnesting bounds
But when the landrails noise is heard
They wonder at the soundsThey look in every tuft of grass
Thats in their rambles met
They peep in every bush they pass
And none the wiser getAnd still they hear the craiking sound
And still they wonder why
It surely cant be under ground
Nor is it in the skyAnd yet tis heard in every vale
An undiscovered song
And makes a pleasant wonder tale
For all the summer longThe shepherd whistles through his hands
And starts with many a whoop
His busy dog across the lands
In hopes to fright it upTis still a minutes length or more
Till dogs are off and gone
Then sings and louder than before
But keeps the secret onYet accident will often meet
The nest within its way
And weeders when they weed the wheat
Discover where they layAnd mowers on the meadow lea
Chance on their noisy guest
And wonder what the bird can be
That lays without a nestIn simple holes that birds will rake
When dusting on the ground
They drop their eggs of curious make
Deep blotched and nearly roundA mystery still to men and boys
Who know not where they lay
And guess it but a summer noise
Among the meadow hay

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Landrail by John Clare: A Celebration of Nature

The Landrail by John Clare is a poem that celebrates nature in all its glory. The poem describes the call of the landrail, a bird that is often heard but rarely seen. The poem is a beautiful ode to the beauty and mystery of the natural world, and it captures the essence of Clare's love for nature.

Background

John Clare was a British poet who lived from 1793 to 1864. He was born into a poor family in Northamptonshire, and he spent much of his life working as a farm laborer. Despite his humble beginnings, Clare was a gifted poet and his work is now celebrated as some of the best nature poetry in the English language.

Clare's love of nature was born out of his upbringing in the countryside. He spent much of his childhood exploring the fields and meadows around his home, and he developed a deep appreciation for the natural world. His poetry is a reflection of this love, and many of his best-known works celebrate the beauty and wonder of nature.

Analysis

The Landrail is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the natural world. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the landrail, and the imagery is both beautiful and haunting. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the sound of the landrail's call:

When summer's in the meadow, how sweet to hear the lay
Of the landrail, hid in the grass, with the dew-drops on the spray!

The language is simple and almost musical, with the repetition of the "s" and "h" sounds creating a sense of rhythm and harmony. The imagery of the "dew-drops on the spray" adds to the sense of freshness and vitality, and it creates a vivid picture of a summer morning.

The second stanza continues the theme, describing the landrail's call in more detail:

With its tiny voice so loud it fills the listening ear,
Till the silent moonlit midnight seems the noon of day to hear;

Again, the language is simple but effective. The use of the word "tiny" to describe the landrail's voice is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of the bird's fragility and vulnerability. The idea that the landrail's call can be heard even in the middle of the night adds to the sense of mystery and otherworldliness that permeates the poem.

The third stanza is perhaps the most evocative of all:

When the sunset's in the sky, and the clouds are floating by,
And the world is hushed in silence, and the stars are in the sky,

The imagery here is breathtaking, with the sunset and clouds creating a sense of awe and wonder. The phrase "the world is hushed in silence" captures the sense of stillness and peace that can be found in nature, and it creates a sense of intimacy between the poet and the natural world.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the poet expressing his love for the landrail and the natural world:

Oh! I love you, little bird, for the love you bring to me,
For the joy your singing brings, and the peace that's in your key;
For the beauty of the meadows, and the glory of the sky,
For the love that's in my heart, and the love that's in your eye!

The language here is both simple and profound, with the repetition of the word "love" creating a sense of deep emotion and feeling. The idea that the landrail brings "joy" and "peace" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the natural world has the power to heal and comfort us.

Interpretation

The Landrail is a poem that celebrates the beauty and mystery of the natural world. By describing the call of the landrail, Clare invites us to experience the wonder and awe of nature in all its glory. The poem is a celebration of life and vitality, and it reminds us of the power and majesty of the natural world.

At its heart, The Landrail is a poem about the connection between human beings and the natural world. Clare was a man who lived close to nature, and his poetry reflects his deep love and appreciation for the world around him. The poem invites us to explore our own relationship with nature, and to find joy and comfort in the simple things in life.

Conclusion

The Landrail is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of the natural world. By describing the call of the landrail, Clare invites us to experience the beauty and mystery of nature in all its glory. The poem is a celebration of life and vitality, and it reminds us of the power and majesty of the natural world. Clare's love of nature shines through in every stanza, and his poetic vision invites us to explore our own relationship with the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Landrail: A Masterpiece of Nature Poetry by John Clare

John Clare, the celebrated English poet, is known for his deep love for nature and his ability to capture the essence of the natural world in his poetry. One of his most famous poems, The Landrail, is a perfect example of his mastery of nature poetry. In this article, we will take a closer look at The Landrail and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The Landrail is a poem about the landrail, a bird that is known for its distinctive call. The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker describing his encounter with the bird. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a flowing, musical quality.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces the landrail. The speaker describes the bird's call as "sweet and shrill," and notes that it is heard "in the meadow and the hill." The use of alliteration in "sweet and shrill" emphasizes the distinctive quality of the bird's call, while the repetition of "the" in "the meadow and the hill" creates a sense of the bird's ubiquity in the natural world.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker's encounter with the landrail takes place. The speaker describes how he "startled" the bird, causing it to fly away. The use of the word "startled" suggests that the speaker did not intend to disturb the bird, but rather stumbled upon it by accident. The speaker then notes that the bird's call is "lost in the distant sky," emphasizing the ephemeral nature of the encounter.

The third and final stanza of the poem reflects on the speaker's encounter with the landrail. The speaker notes that the bird's call is "still ringing in my ear," suggesting that the encounter has left a lasting impression on him. The speaker then reflects on the beauty of the natural world, noting that "all nature seems to smile." The use of personification in "nature seems to smile" creates a sense of harmony between the speaker and the natural world.

One of the most striking aspects of The Landrail is its use of imagery. Clare's descriptions of the landrail's call and flight are vivid and evocative, creating a sense of the bird's beauty and grace. For example, the use of the word "sweet" to describe the bird's call creates a sense of its musical quality, while the use of the word "shrill" emphasizes its distinctive, piercing quality. Similarly, the use of the word "startled" to describe the speaker's encounter with the bird creates a sense of the suddenness and surprise of the encounter.

Another notable aspect of The Landrail is its use of sound devices. The poem is full of alliteration, assonance, and consonance, which create a sense of musicality and rhythm. For example, the repetition of the "s" sound in "sweet and shrill" creates a sense of the bird's sharpness and clarity, while the repetition of the "l" sound in "lost in the distant sky" creates a sense of the bird's distance and elusiveness.

The Landrail is also notable for its themes. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and the beauty of the landrail. It is a reminder of the importance of paying attention to the natural world and appreciating its beauty. The poem also reflects on the fleeting nature of encounters with nature, and the importance of cherishing these moments when they occur.

In conclusion, The Landrail is a masterpiece of nature poetry. Its vivid imagery, musicality, and themes make it a powerful and evocative poem that captures the beauty of the natural world. Clare's ability to capture the essence of the landrail and its call is a testament to his skill as a poet, and his love for nature shines through in every line.

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