To a Butterfly by William Wordsworth (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

To a Butterfly

by William Wordsworth

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

William Wordsworth actually wrote two poems titled “To a Butterfly” (both in 1801, published 1807).

 

To a Butterfly (First Poem)

 

Stay near me—do not take thy flight!

A little longer stay in sight!

Much converse do I find in thee,

Historian of my infancy!

Float near me; do not yet depart!

Dead times revive in thee:

Thou bring’st, gay creature as thou art!

A solemn image to my heart,

My father’s family!

 

Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days,

The time, when, in our childish plays,

My sister Emmeline and I

Together chased the butterfly!

A very hunter did I rush

Upon the prey:—with leaps and springs

I followed on from brake to bush;

But she, God love her, feared to brush

The dust from off its wings.

 

Summary

In this poem, William Wordsworth addresses a butterfly, asking it to linger with him a little longer before flying away. He finds in the small creature a companion that awakens deep personal memories. For him, the butterfly is not just a fleeting insect; it becomes a living connection to his past, a “historian of his infancy,” bringing back images of childhood that had long been quiet in his mind. The presence of the butterfly stirs the poet’s heart with solemn recollections of his father’s household, reminding him of the family life that shaped his early years.

Wordsworth then recalls specific memories of his childhood days. He speaks of a time when he and his sister, Emmeline, would chase butterflies together in their youthful play. For him, these were happy and lively moments, full of the energy and excitement of childhood. He describes how he himself would act like a true hunter, rushing after the delicate insect with eager leaps and quick movements through bushes and thickets. In contrast, his sister showed a gentler spirit; she feared even to touch the butterfly, not wanting to brush the fragile dust from its wings. The poet presents this difference with affection—his own restless eagerness alongside his sister’s tender care.

Thus, the butterfly becomes more than a mere insect; it is the trigger for memory, carrying the poet back to the joy of those pleasant days. Through its delicate presence, Wordsworth relives scenes of innocence, love, and shared play with his sister. The poem closes with a tone of tenderness, cherishing both the vividness of childhood pursuits and the gentle nature of his sister, whose love and restraint form part of the treasured memory.

In this way, the poem unfolds as a remembrance of family, childhood, and the bond between siblings—all brought alive by the sight of a single butterfly.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Stay near me—do not take thy flight!

-> Remain close to me, don’t fly away just yet!

 

A little longer stay in sight!

-> Stay where I can see you for a little while longer.

 

Much converse do I find in thee,

-> You remind me of many conversations and thoughts.

 

Historian of my infancy!

-> You are like a historian who brings back memories of my childhood.

 

Float near me; do not yet depart!

-> Stay close, don’t leave so soon.

 

Dead times revive in thee:

-> You bring back moments from the past that seemed long forgotten.

 

Thou bring’st, gay creature as thou art!

-> You, cheerful little creature that you are, bring to me—

 

A solemn image to my heart,

-> A serious and moving picture in my mind—

 

My father’s family!

-> Memories of my father’s household and family life.

 

Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days,

-> How joyful those days once were,

 

The time, when, in our childish plays,

-> The time when, as children playing together,

 

My sister Emmeline and I

-> My sister Emmeline and I

 

Together chased the butterfly!

-> Used to run after butterflies together!

 

A very hunter did I rush

-> I would charge after them like a true hunter,

 

Upon the prey:—with leaps and springs

-> With leaps and quick movements in pursuit of my prey.

 

I followed on from brake to bush;

-> I chased it from thicket to bush without rest.

 

But she, God love her, feared to brush

-> But my sister, bless her, was afraid even to touch

 

The dust from off its wings.

-> The delicate powder from the butterfly’s wings.

 

Analysis in Detail

William Wordsworth’s To a Butterfly is a tender and reflective lyric that reveals the poet’s characteristic blending of nature and memory. At first glance, it seems like a simple address to a passing butterfly, yet beneath its delicate lines lies a meditation on childhood, family, and the power of seemingly small creatures to awaken profound recollections.

The poem opens with the poet pleading with the butterfly to stay close: “Stay near me—do not take thy flight!” This urgent appeal sets the tone of longing and attachment. The butterfly is not treated as an ordinary insect, but as a companion whose presence is deeply significant. Wordsworth calls it the “historian of my infancy,” attributing to it the role of a recorder of his past. The butterfly, in its fleeting and delicate form, becomes a symbol of memory itself—fragile, elusive, and easily lost if not held onto. Its presence revives what the poet calls “dead times,” moments from childhood that resurface vividly in his imagination. Thus, the butterfly bridges the gap between the present and the past, between fleeting nature and enduring memory.

As the poem unfolds, Wordsworth’s reflections shift from the solitary image of the butterfly to recollections of his family. He speaks of his father’s household, bringing a solemn note into what first appeared to be a light-hearted encounter. The cheerful creature, the butterfly, unexpectedly evokes serious and moving images of family life, reminding us that in Wordsworth’s poetry, nature often serves as a doorway into deeper personal truths.

The second half of the poem focuses on childhood play with his sister, Emmeline. This memory is recounted with warmth and detail. Wordsworth recalls how the two of them would chase butterflies together, though their approaches differed. He describes himself as a hunter, eager and relentless, pursuing the butterfly with leaps and excitement. In contrast, his sister shows gentleness and restraint—she is afraid to harm the butterfly or even disturb the dust on its wings. Through this contrast, Wordsworth highlights both his own energetic nature as a child and the tender, protective spirit of his sister. It is not only a memory of shared play but also an affectionate portrait of their personalities.

The imagery in the poem reflects this dual quality of playfulness and solemnity. Words such as “leaps,” “springs,” and “hunter” give a sense of childhood energy and chase, while phrases like “solemn image to my heart” remind the reader of the emotional depth behind the memory. The butterfly itself is portrayed as “gay” and cheerful, yet its presence brings seriousness and nostalgia. This tension between lightness and depth is characteristic of Wordsworth’s approach: he finds in simple, natural experiences a connection to profound emotional truths.

Thematically, the poem embodies central concerns of Wordsworth’s poetry. First is the theme of memory and childhood—the butterfly acts as a trigger that recalls the poet’s early life, and through memory, he relives joy and sorrow together. Second is the theme of family affection—his sister’s presence is central to the memory, and her gentleness adds a moral and emotional weight to the scene. Finally, there is the theme of nature as teacher and companion—the butterfly is not trivial but meaningful, a living symbol of continuity between past and present.

The tone of the poem is both affectionate and reflective. Wordsworth addresses the butterfly directly, almost as though it were a human listener, which lends intimacy to the lyric. At the same time, the reflection on family and childhood gives the poem a wistful quality, as though the poet is aware that those days are gone and can only be revisited through memory.

In conclusion, To a Butterfly is more than a fleeting observation of an insect; it is a meditation on time, memory, and relationships. Through the delicate image of the butterfly, Wordsworth connects the simplicity of nature with the depth of human feeling. The poem captures the essence of his poetic vision—that ordinary moments in nature, if deeply felt, can lead to profound reflections on life and human bonds. It is this ability to turn the small into the significant, the fleeting into the eternal, that marks Wordsworth as a poet of memory, nature, and the heart.

 

To a Butterfly (Second Poem)

 

I’ve watched you now a full half-hour,

Self-poised upon that yellow flower;

And, little Butterfly! indeed

I know not if you sleep or feed.

How motionless!—not frozen seas

More motionless! and then

What joy awaits you, when the breeze

Hath found you out among the trees,

And calls you forth again!

 

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;

My trees they are, my sister’s flowers;

Here rest your wings when they are weary;

Here lodge as in a sanctuary!

Come often to us, fear no wrong;

Sit near us on the bough!

We’ll talk of sunshine and of song,

And summer days, when we were young;

Sweet childish days, that were as long

As twenty days are now.

 

Summary

In this poem, William Wordsworth observes a butterfly resting quietly upon a yellow flower. He has been watching it for half an hour, marveling at its stillness. The insect seems so calm that he cannot tell whether it is feeding or asleep. Its stillness is compared to frozen seas—utterly motionless. Yet, the poet imagines the joy the butterfly will soon experience when the breeze comes, carrying it from its resting place and calling it back into the open air and trees. Thus, the simple act of watching the butterfly at rest stirs in the poet thoughts about peace, waiting, and the quiet rhythms of nature.

The poet then reflects on the orchard where the butterfly rests. This orchard belongs to him and his sister, and he claims both the trees as his own and the flowers as belonging to her. Together, the orchard becomes their shared sanctuary, a place of quiet beauty where the butterfly is welcome. Wordsworth invites the butterfly to return often, promising it safety and hospitality. He assures the delicate creature that it may find rest there whenever it is weary, as though the orchard were a sacred refuge.

As the poem closes, the butterfly’s presence turns the poet’s mind toward memories of the past. He and his sister will sit together under the trees and speak of sunshine, music, and the happy summer days of their youth. He recalls with tenderness that those childhood days seemed long and full of joy, in contrast to the present, when time feels shorter and more fleeting. The butterfly, therefore, becomes a gentle reminder of those “sweet childish days,” a symbol of innocence, memory, and the enduring bond he shares with his sister.

In this way, the poem unfolds not as a study of nature alone but as a meditation on memory, family affection, and the contrast between the long summers of childhood and the swift passage of time in adulthood.

 

Line-by-Line Paraphrase

I’ve watched you now a full half-hour,

-> I have been observing you for thirty minutes,

 

Self-poised upon that yellow flower;

-> As you remain balanced and steady on that yellow blossom.

 

And, little Butterfly! indeed

-> And truly, little butterfly,

 

I know not if you sleep or feed.

-> I cannot tell whether you are resting or eating.

 

How motionless!—not frozen seas

-> You are so still! Even frozen seas are not more still.

 

More motionless! and then

-> You seem even more unmoving than they are, and then—

 

What joy awaits you, when the breeze

-> What happiness awaits you when the breeze arrives,

 

Hath found you out among the trees,

-> When the wind discovers you among the trees,

 

And calls you forth again!

-> And summons you to fly into the air once more!

 

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;

-> This orchard belongs to us,

 

My trees they are, my sister’s flowers;

-> The trees are mine, while the flowers belong to my sister.

 

Here rest your wings when they are weary;

-> Rest your wings here whenever you are tired.

 

Here lodge as in a sanctuary!

-> Stay here as if it were a safe and holy place.

 

Come often to us, fear no wrong;

-> Visit us often, and don’t fear any harm.

 

Sit near us on the bough!

-> Sit close to us on a tree branch.

 

We’ll talk of sunshine and of song,

-> We will speak of happy things like sunlight and music,

 

And summer days, when we were young;

-> And of the summer days of our youth,

 

Sweet childish days, that were as long

-> The sweet days of childhood, which seemed so long,

 

As twenty days are now.

-> Compared with how quickly twenty days pass for us now.

 

Detailed Analysis of To a Butterfly (Second Poem)

In this poem, Wordsworth once again turns his attention to a butterfly, but the mood and focus differ from the first version. Whereas the earlier poem was filled with lively memories of childhood play, this second poem is slower, more meditative, and concerned with stillness, companionship, and the quiet passage of time. It demonstrates Wordsworth’s ability to draw profound meaning from a simple scene in nature, using it to reflect on memory, family bonds, and the contrast between youth and adulthood.

The poem begins with the poet watching a butterfly resting upon a yellow flower. He notes that he has been observing it for half an hour, captivated by its complete stillness. The butterfly becomes a symbol of calmness and quiet, as if embodying the stillness of nature itself. Wordsworth even compares it to frozen seas, suggesting that the creature is motionless beyond anything he can imagine. Yet the poet does not see this stillness as lifeless; rather, he imagines the joy that will soon come when the breeze awakens the butterfly and invites it to fly once more. Here, nature is portrayed in a cycle of rest and renewal, of quiet waiting and sudden activity, which mirrors human life.

The second stanza shifts from the butterfly to the setting—the orchard ground. Wordsworth emphasizes ownership and intimacy, describing the orchard as belonging both to him and his sister: the trees are his, and the flowers are hers. This detail underscores the sense of shared life and companionship that pervades the poem. The orchard is presented not only as a piece of land but as a sanctuary, a safe and sacred place where the butterfly may come and rest. In inviting the butterfly to return often and find refuge there, Wordsworth extends his affection for nature into an act of hospitality. The butterfly is no mere insect to him, but a guest welcomed into the domestic and emotional life of the poet and his sister.

As the poem draws to its close, the butterfly once again becomes a bridge to memory. Wordsworth and his sister, sitting together under the orchard trees, will talk of sunshine, music, and the days of their youth. These childhood days are remembered as long and full, in contrast to the fleeting nature of time in adulthood. Wordsworth captures this shift in perception with poignancy: days of youth seemed to stretch endlessly, but now twenty days pass as quickly as one. The butterfly, by resting in their orchard, sparks these reflections on time’s changing pace and the sweetness of childhood compared with the brevity of adult years.

The imagery of the poem reflects this tone of serenity and reflection. Words such as “motionless,” “rest,” and “sanctuary” create a sense of calm. The orchard itself becomes symbolic of memory, protection, and the shared bond between siblings. The butterfly, instead of evoking play and chase as in the first poem, evokes stillness, conversation, and remembrance. This change of imagery shows how the same natural creature can inspire different modes of thought: one playful and energetic, the other quiet and meditative.

Thematically, the second poem reinforces several of Wordsworth’s central concerns. First is the theme of time and memory—childhood is remembered as expansive, while adult time feels compressed. Second is the theme of family affection—once again, the sister is central to the poet’s memories and reflections, symbolizing continuity and companionship. Third is the theme of nature as sanctuary—the orchard, shared with his sister, becomes a refuge not only for the butterfly but also for human thoughts and conversations about the past.

The tone of the poem is markedly different from the first. Where the earlier poem was lively, recalling the chase of children after a butterfly, this second version is slower, peaceful, and filled with tenderness. The poet’s direct address to the butterfly conveys intimacy, while the concluding reflections on childhood add a note of wistful nostalgia.

In conclusion, this second To a Butterfly shows Wordsworth in his most reflective mood, using the stillness of a delicate insect to spark thoughts about memory, time, and the bond he shares with his sister. Together with the first version, it reveals two sides of his vision: the joy of childhood energy and the calm of adult remembrance. The butterfly, fragile and fleeting, becomes a lasting symbol of continuity between the world of nature and the depths of human feeling.

 

Analysis of William Wordsworth’s To a Butterfly (Both Poems)

William Wordsworth’s two companion poems titled To a Butterfly offer delicate yet profound reflections on memory, family, and the power of nature to stir deep human feelings. Though both poems focus on the same simple creature, their tone and emphasis differ, allowing the butterfly to symbolize different aspects of the poet’s life and thought.

The first poem opens with Wordsworth directly addressing the butterfly, pleading with it to remain near him. To the poet, the butterfly is no ordinary insect but a “historian of my infancy.” Its presence revives long-forgotten days of his father’s household and especially the playful bond he shared with his sister Emmeline. He recalls with warmth how they used to chase butterflies together, though in different ways: he with the eager energy of a hunter, leaping and rushing, and she with a gentler spirit, unwilling to harm the fragile wings. This contrast highlights both their personalities and the innocence of childhood. The tone here is lively yet tinged with solemnity, as the butterfly unexpectedly stirs images of family life and the passing of time.

The second poem adopts a calmer, more meditative mood. Wordsworth describes watching a butterfly resting motionless on a yellow flower for half an hour, captivated by its stillness. The insect becomes a symbol of peace, waiting quietly until the breeze calls it back into flight. From this moment of stillness, the poet turns to the orchard that he and his sister share—his trees and her flowers. The orchard becomes a sanctuary, a safe refuge not only for the butterfly but for memory itself. Wordsworth invites the butterfly to return often, promising it hospitality. In the closing lines, the butterfly draws his thoughts back to childhood once more. He and his sister will sit together, speaking of sunshine, music, and the long summers of youth. Those days, he notes with tenderness, seemed endless in contrast to the shortness of time in adulthood.

Read together, the two poems reveal Wordsworth’s characteristic blending of nature and memory. The butterfly becomes both playful and solemn, both energetic and still. In the first poem it represents the vitality of childhood games and the affectionate bond between siblings; in the second, it represents reflection, sanctuary, and the bittersweet contrast between youth and adulthood. Both poems place his sister at the heart of his recollections, showing how deeply Wordsworth valued family affection and companionship.

Ultimately, the two To a Butterfly poems are not simply about an insect but about what the butterfly awakens in the human heart. They embody Wordsworth’s vision that nature, even in its smallest forms, is full of meaning and capable of connecting us to memory, innocence, and enduring human love.