Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Solitary Reaper

Behold her, single in the field,

Yon solitary Highland Lass!

Reaping and singing by herself;

Stop here, or gently pass!

Alone she cuts and binds the grain,

And sings a melancholy strain;

O listen! for the Vale profound

Is overflowing with the sound.



No Nightingale did ever chaunt

More welcome notes to weary bands

Of travellers in some shady haunt,

Among Arabian sands:

A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard

In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird,

Breaking the silence of the seas

Among the farthest Hebrides.



Will no one tell me what she sings?--

Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow

For old, unhappy, far-off things,

And battles long ago:

Or is it some more humble lay,

Familiar matter of to-day?

Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,

That has been, and may be again?



Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang

As if her song could have no ending;

I saw her singing at her work,

And o'er the sickle bending;--

I listened, motionless and still;

And, as I mounted up the hill,

The music in my heart I bore,

Long after it was heard no more.

William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth( 1770-1850) who lived before 270 yrs is still remembered for his works on literature. He was a contemporary of my 7 generation forefather(approx) and I always wish that my ancestors had something written . This signifies that writing is very important for all of us.

2 comments:

  1. I always found it ridiculous that our teachers made us remember the whole poem by heart. What was the point of memorizing it when we didn't really understand it back then.

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  2. so haven't u returned from meeting wordsworth, arati? :) khai ta recent posts? looking for updates!

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