lines written jn early spring

“A thousand blended notes”

Harmony and unity in nature; all life working together peacefully.

“Sweet mood when pleasant thoughts / Bring sad thoughts to the mind”

Contrast between joy in nature and sorrow over humanity’s moral corruption.

“Nature link’d / The human soul”

Humans once in harmony with nature; spiritual connection between mankind and the natural world.

“What man has made of man”

Central message; criticises human greed, destruction, and loss of innocence.

“Through primrose tufts… the periwinkle trailed its wreaths”

Peaceful natural imagery; symbolises beauty, tranquillity, and harmony.

“The budding twigs spread out their fan / To catch the breezy air”

Personification of nature; shows vitality and joy in simple existence.

“The birds around me hopp’d and play’d”

Birds represent innocence and freedom; nature’s pure happiness contrasts human misery.

“Their thoughts I cannot measure”

Humans cannot comprehend nature’s purity and effortless joy.

“Nature’s holy plan”

Suggests nature is divine and sacred; links God, purity, and the natural world.

“Have I not reason to lament / What man has made of man?”

Repetition emphasises sorrow; mourns humanity’s moral decay and separation from nature.

Iambic tetrameter

Regular rhythm mirrors nature’s order and harmony.

Quatrains

Consistent structure reflects stability and balance in nature.

Tone

Reflective, gentle, mournful; admires nature, regrets human corruption.

Theme

Nature’s purity vs humanity’s corruption; loss of connection to the natural world.