The Solitary Reaper By William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850) was an English poet par excellence. He was anointed England's Poet Laureate in 1843. He mostly wrote about nature, but he also dabbled in many other genres. 'The Prelude' is considered to be his most outstanding work. He lost his mother at eight. This experience shaped many of his writings.

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 to 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 the 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.

1.
Tick (√) the correct answers(s) to complete the statements given below:
1. Why was the maiden singing while working alone in the field?
  1. She was happy with her work.
  2. She wanted to entertain the travellers passing by.
  3. She wanted to celebrate the onset of spring.
  4. She wanted to practise singing and did not wish to work.
2. The poet compares the maiden to the nightingale and the cuckoo because
  1. he was impressed by the maiden's song and voice.
  2. he likens the maiden's happiness to the birds.'
  3. he compares all maidens to spring-time birds.
  4. he has a habit praising people.
3. The poet carried the song in his heart long after he has gone away because
  1. he is a musician himself.
  2. he wants to learn the lyrics of the song.
  3. he is highly impressed by the maiden's singing skills.
  4. the song has struck a chord with him.
2.
And o'er the sickle bending; I listened, motionless and still
1. Who does 'I' refer to in this extract?
2. What does the above line mean?
3. Why is the poet motionless and still?
3.
O listen! for the Vale profound, Is overwhelming with the sound
1. In this context what does 'Vale' refer to?
2. Why does the poet feel compelled to listen? Do you agree with the poet? Give reasons for your answer.
3. What is overflowing with the sound? Where is this sound coming from?
4.
No Nightingale did ever chaunt, more welcome notes to weary bands
1. What does this extract refer to?
2. Who is being compared to the nightingale? Why?
3. Who are the weary bands?
5.
What is the solitary lass engrossed in doing when the poet comes across her?
6.
Why does the poet think that the maiden is singing a sad song?

8 more answer(s) available.