The Sparrow's Nest
The Sparrow's Nest - fact Summary
First Printed in 1807
Published in Poems, in Two Volumes (1807), "The Sparrow's Nest" is a brief lyric recalling a childhood moment when Wordsworth and his sister Emmeline (Dorothy) discover a sparrow's nest. The speaker treats the sight as a small revelation and explicitly credits his sister with giving him sensitivity—"eyes," "ears," gentle fears, and a heart for feeling—framing the poem as an act of gratitude for formative influence.
Read Complete AnalysesBehold, within the leafy shade, Those bright blue eggs together laid! On me the chance-discovered sight Gleamed like a vision of delight. I started---seeming to espy The home and sheltered bed, The Sparrow's dwelling, which, hard by My Father' house, in wet or dry My sister Emmeline and I Together visited. She looked at it and seemed to fear it; Dreading, tho' wishing, to be near it: Such heart was in her, being then A little Prattler among men. The Blessing of my later year Was with me when a boy: She gave me eyes, she gave me ears; And humble care, and delicate fears; A heart, the fountain of sweet tears; And love, and thought, and joy.
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