'The Nightingale's Nest' by John Clare
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Up 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: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
I am thrilled to delve into the beauty and intricacies of John Clare's poem, The Nightingale's Nest. This classic piece of literature has captured the hearts and minds of readers for over a century, and it's not hard to see why.
Background Information
John Clare was a British poet and writer who lived from 1793 to 1864. He was born into a poor family and had a deep connection to nature, which is evident in much of his work. The Nightingale's Nest was first published in 1832 in The Shepherd's Calendar.
The poem tells the story of a nightingale and her nest, which is hidden away in a thicket. The narrator comes across the nest and is awed by its beauty and the songs of the nightingale. However, he realizes that he must leave the nest alone and not disturb the bird's peaceful existence.
Analysis
The Nightingale's Nest is a beautiful and intricate poem that is full of rich imagery and metaphorical language. From the very beginning, the narrator sets a lyrical tone that draws the reader in and immerses them in the natural world around him.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has its own distinct mood and message. The first stanza is full of wonder and amazement as the narrator discovers the nightingale's nest. He describes the beauty of the thicket and the songs of the bird, which are like "an overcharged sweet nightingale / That shakes her head with melody." This imagery is powerful and evocative, and it transports the reader into the world of the poem.
In the second stanza, the mood shifts from wonder to contemplation. The narrator realizes that he must leave the nest alone and not disturb the nightingale's peaceful existence. He acknowledges that the bird has made the thicket her home and that he cannot intrude on this sacred space. He says, "I dare not go and ask a bird / To say why winters sad, / Or ask a whyfore from the sun / Or beg the secrets of the wood."
This stanza is particularly powerful because it shows the narrator's respect for nature and his understanding that sometimes it is better to observe and appreciate from a distance rather than to interfere.
The final stanza shifts the mood again, this time to one of sadness and longing. The narrator realizes that he must leave the nest and return to his own world, but he is reluctant to do so. He says, "I feel a presence that disturbs me with the joy / Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime / Of something far more deeply interfused." Here, the narrator is expressing his deep connection to nature and the profound emotional impact it has on him.
Overall, The Nightingale's Nest is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the majesty and wonder of the natural world. It is a testament to John Clare's talent as a poet and his deep understanding of the complexities of human emotion and the natural world.
Interpretation
The Nightingale's Nest can be interpreted in a number of different ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experience. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature.
The narrator's respect for the nightingale's nest and his reluctance to disturb it can be seen as a metaphor for the need to preserve and protect the natural world. In a world where human activity has caused widespread destruction and pollution, it is more important than ever to appreciate and respect the beauty and wonder of nature.
Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the human experience of longing and desire. The narrator's longing to stay in the thicket and his reluctance to leave can be seen as a metaphor for the human desire for connection and belonging.
In this interpretation, the nightingale's nest represents a sense of home and belonging, which the narrator longs for but cannot fully attain. This interpretation speaks to the universal human experience of longing for connection and a sense of belonging, which is often elusive and hard to find.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Nightingale's Nest is a beautiful and moving poem that celebrates the majesty and wonder of the natural world. It is a testament to John Clare's talent as a poet and his deep understanding of the complexities of human emotion and the natural world.
The poem can be interpreted in a number of different ways, but all of them speak to the human experience of longing and connection, as well as our need to preserve and protect the natural world. The Nightingale's Nest is a classic piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers to this day, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to touch the human heart and soul.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Nightingale's Nest: A Masterpiece of Nature Poetry
John Clare's "The Nightingale's Nest" is a classic poem that captures the beauty and mystery of nature. Written in 1841, the poem is a celebration of the nightingale and its habitat. Clare's vivid descriptions of the bird's nest and its surroundings create a powerful image of the natural world. In this article, we will explore the poem in detail and analyze its themes and literary devices.
The poem begins with a description of the nightingale's nest. Clare paints a picture of the nest as a hidden treasure, "hidden deep in green leaves." The nest is described as a "little lowly hermitage," which suggests that it is a place of solitude and retreat. The use of the word "hermitage" also implies that the nest is a sacred place, a sanctuary for the nightingale.
Clare's description of the nest is full of sensory details. He describes the "soft hair-lined" nest, which suggests comfort and warmth. The use of the word "hair" also creates a sense of intimacy and tenderness. The nest is also described as "woven with leaves and feathers," which creates a sense of natural beauty and harmony.
The poem then shifts to a description of the nightingale itself. Clare describes the bird's song as "sweet and strong," and compares it to the sound of a "silver trumpet." The use of the word "silver" creates a sense of purity and clarity, while the comparison to a trumpet suggests power and majesty. The nightingale's song is also described as "full of all sweet sounds," which suggests that it is a complex and multi-layered melody.
Clare's description of the nightingale's song is full of literary devices. He uses alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia to create a sense of musicality and rhythm. For example, he writes, "And all the air is filled with pleasant noise of waters." The repetition of the "s" sound creates a sense of flowing water, while the use of the word "pleasant" suggests that the sound is soothing and calming.
The poem then shifts to a description of the nightingale's habitat. Clare describes the "thick green rushy" woods, which creates a sense of lushness and abundance. The use of the word "rushy" also suggests that the woods are a place of growth and vitality. The woods are also described as a place of mystery and enchantment, where "fairies dance their moonlight round."
Clare's description of the woods is full of imagery and symbolism. The woods are a symbol of nature's power and beauty, while the fairies are a symbol of magic and wonder. The use of the word "moonlight" also creates a sense of mystery and romance.
The poem ends with a reflection on the nightingale's nest. Clare writes, "Oh, happy bird! The world is still / The world is still, though thou art far." This suggests that the nightingale's nest is a place of peace and tranquility, a place where the world can be forgotten. The use of the word "happy" also suggests that the nightingale is content and fulfilled in its habitat.
Overall, "The Nightingale's Nest" is a masterpiece of nature poetry. Clare's vivid descriptions of the nightingale's nest and its surroundings create a powerful image of the natural world. The poem is full of literary devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia, which create a sense of musicality and rhythm. The poem is also full of imagery and symbolism, which create a sense of mystery and enchantment. "The Nightingale's Nest" is a celebration of nature's beauty and power, and a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural world.
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