Nature

To the Cuckoo: Not the Whole Warbling Grove in Concert Heard

by William Wordsworth 1770–1850

From Poetical Works, ed. Knight (1896), vol. VII

Nature

Not the whole warbling grove in concert heard
When sunshine follows shower, the breast can thrill
Like the first summons, Cuckoo! of thy bill,
With its twin notes inseparably paired.
The captive 'mid damp vaults unsunned, unaired,
Measuring the periods of his lonely doom,
That cry can reach; and to the sick man's room
Sends gladness, by no languid smile declared.
The lordly eagle-race through hostile search
May perish; time may come when never more
The wilderness shall hear the lion roar;
But, long as cock shall crow from household perch
To rouse the dawn, soft gales shall speed thy wing,
And thy erratic voice be faithful to the Spring!

MLA

Wordsworth, William. “To the Cuckoo: Not the Whole Warbling Grove in Concert Heard.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/595/.

Chicago

Wordsworth, William. “To the Cuckoo: Not the Whole Warbling Grove in Concert Heard.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/595/.

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