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Short Classics Anthology: Lines Written in Early Spring

In “Lines Written in Early Spring”, the poet uses the imagery of “nature’s holy plan” to capture the perfect blend of natural phenomenon that harmoniously co-operate in pleasurable ways.  In this “plan”, the birds “hopped and played”, their motion revealing a spontaneous “thrill of pleasure”. The poet uses personification to capture a sense that the flower(s) “enjoy the air it breathes”.  The repetition of the end-focused adverb “there” – “that there was pleasure there” – reinforces a sense of momentary, fulfilling and all-encompassing “pleasure”.  The reference to “her” (“her fair works”) also recalls a maternal and restorative aspect of nature.

The final stanza in “Lines Written in Early Spring” is written in the passive voice to place emphasis on the “plan” that must be followed, rather than the creator and architect: “If this belief from heaven be sent,/If such be Nature’s holy plan…” The focus is on the degeneration and disobedience of “Man” who is not respecting the plan.

The repeated refrain in “Lines Written in Early Spring”, “What man has made of man” dominates the poet’s thoughts as he compares man’s disruptive presence in nature to the peaceful co-existence of natural phenomenon. Each tendril of the flower, the chirping bird and the matted fern are pleasurably part of nature’s “holy plan”. 

Please see: The English Works Short Classics Anthology

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