Written in March by William Wordsworth (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

Written in March

by William Wordsworth

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

Written in March

The cock is crowing,

The stream is flowing,

The small birds twitter,

The lake doth glitter,

The green field sleeps in the sun;

The oldest and youngest

Are at work with the strongest;

The cattle are grazing,

Their heads never raising;

There are forty feeding like one!

 

Like an army defeated

The snow hath retreated,

And now doth fare ill

On the top of the bare hill;

The ploughboy is whooping—anon—anon:

There’s joy in the mountains;

There’s life in the fountains;

Small clouds are sailing,

Blue sky prevailing;

The rain is over and gone!

 

Summary

William Wordsworth’s Written in March is a short yet vivid poem that captures the renewal of life and activity in the natural world at the close of winter. The poet describes a rural landscape where every detail points to the joyful arrival of spring. From the very opening lines, he sets a cheerful tone: the cock is crowing, a stream is flowing, birds are twittering, and the surface of a lake glitters under the sunlight. These small but lively images immediately create a sense of freshness and movement after the cold and stillness of winter. The “green field” that “sleeps in the sun” further emphasizes peace and abundance.

The poem then shifts to highlight the presence of people and animals in this scene. Wordsworth presents a harmony of age and strength, noting how the oldest and youngest are working alongside the strongest, all sharing in the tasks of rural labor. Meanwhile, cattle graze in unison, “forty feeding like one,” symbolizing unity, rhythm, and the quiet satisfaction of nature at work. This picture reflects both productivity and contentment, showing that spring not only revives the land but also brings people and animals together in activity and sustenance.

In the second stanza, Wordsworth compares the retreat of winter to the defeat of an army. The snow, once a dominating force, has now withdrawn and lingers only in small patches on the bare hilltops. This image suggests that winter’s grip has been broken, and spring has claimed victory. The signs of this victory are everywhere: the ploughboy is heard calling joyfully as he works, the mountains echo with liveliness, fountains and streams bubble with new energy, and the sky is filled with small, drifting clouds against a bright blue background. The poem concludes with the declaration that “the rain is over and gone,” signaling that the cycle of hardship has ended and has given way to a season of joy, light, and renewal.

Overall, Written in March is a celebration of spring’s arrival, expressed through a series of simple yet striking images. The poem does not dwell on personal feelings or philosophical reflections; instead, it offers a direct, almost painterly description of the natural world awakening. Wordsworth portrays the scene as one of universal happiness, where human beings, animals, and the very elements of nature participate together in the harmony of a new season.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Stanza 1

The cock is crowing,

-> The rooster is calling out in the morning.

 

The stream is flowing,

-> The water in the stream is running along freely.

 

The small birds twitter,

-> Little birds are chirping happily.

 

The lake doth glitter,

-> The surface of the lake shines in the sunlight.

 

The green field sleeps in the sun;

-> The grassy field lies calmly, warmed by the sun.

 

The oldest and youngest

-> Both the old and the young people are present.

 

Are at work with the strongest;

-> They are all working together alongside the strongest ones.

 

The cattle are grazing,

-> The cows are feeding in the pasture.

 

Their heads never raising;

-> They keep their heads bent down, steadily eating.

 

There are forty feeding like one!

-> All the cattle graze in harmony, moving together as if they were a single creature.

 

Stanza 2

Like an army defeated

-> Winter’s snow is compared to an army that has lost a battle.

 

The snow hath retreated,

-> The snow has melted away and withdrawn.

 

And now doth fare ill

-> It is struggling to survive.

 

On the top of the bare hill;

-> Only small patches remain on the tops of treeless hills.

 

The ploughboy is whooping—anon—anon:

-> A farm boy can be heard shouting cheerfully, now and then, as he works the plough.

 

There’s joy in the mountains;

-> The hills and mountains seem full of happiness.

 

There’s life in the fountains;

-> The springs and streams bubble with lively water again.

 

Small clouds are sailing,

-> Light, puffy clouds drift gently across the sky.

 

Blue sky prevailing;

-> The bright blue sky dominates the scene.

 

The rain is over and gone!

-> The season of rain and gloom has ended.

 

Analysis in Detail

William Wordsworth’s poem Written in March is a fine example of his ability to capture the spirit of nature and its profound effect on human life. Though short and simple in structure, the poem offers a rich picture of renewal, harmony, and joy at the turning of the seasons. Written in two stanzas, the poem presents the awakening of the natural world as winter gives way to spring, and it highlights the unity of all creation—human, animal, and elemental—in celebrating this transformation.

The first stanza sets the scene with a series of lively, sensory images. Wordsworth begins with the cock crowing, the stream flowing, and small birds twittering. These details immediately evoke the soundscape of early spring mornings, reminding the reader of the vibrant chorus that replaces winter’s silence. The lake glittering under sunlight adds a visual dimension, while the “green field” lying peacefully in the sun suggests warmth, calm, and fertility. Nature is not only alive but thriving. Wordsworth then shifts focus from the landscape to the presence of people and animals. He notes how “the oldest and youngest / Are at work with the strongest,” emphasizing the communal activity that spring invites. The season is a time of labor as well as joy, where all ages participate in the shared rhythm of rural life. The cattle grazing steadily, with “forty feeding like one,” reinforces the sense of unity and order. Human beings, animals, and nature itself move together in harmony, as if bound by the same rhythm of renewal.

The second stanza introduces a striking metaphor: winter is compared to a defeated army. The snow, once dominant, has “retreated” and survives only in small patches on the bare hills. This image captures both the power and the decline of winter, portraying spring as the victorious force that claims the land. The retreat of snow makes way for new sounds and movements: the ploughboy’s cheerful shouts echo across the fields, signaling the return of agricultural work. The mountains are described as filled with joy, the fountains with life, as if the very landscape is celebrating. Even the sky reflects this transformation, with light clouds drifting and blue sky prevailing after the long rains. The stanza closes with a triumphant line—“The rain is over and gone!”—a declaration that gloom, cold, and hardship have passed, and the land is reborn.

Stylistically, Wordsworth employs simplicity of diction and rhythm, which aligns with his broader poetic aim of making poetry accessible and rooted in everyday language. The repetition of sounds and the short, balanced lines give the poem a musical quality, mirroring the song-like liveliness of spring itself. His imagery relies on direct observation, but it is charged with symbolic meaning. The defeated snow is not just a natural fact; it stands for the passing of struggle and the inevitability of renewal. The unity of cattle feeding “like one” becomes an emblem of harmony and collective strength, while the ploughboy’s joyful cries express the human bond with the cycles of nature.

In a broader sense, Written in March reflects Wordsworth’s Romantic vision. For him, nature was not a passive backdrop but a living force that teaches, uplifts, and restores. Here, spring becomes a moment of reconciliation: people, animals, and the environment share in a common vitality. The poem conveys no deep melancholy or philosophical conflict; rather, it celebrates the simplest truth—that after winter’s trials, life returns in abundance. This makes it one of Wordsworth’s most straightforward yet uplifting poems, embodying his belief in the spiritual nourishment that nature provides.

In conclusion, Written in March is a joyful hymn to spring, presenting the end of winter as both a literal and symbolic victory. Through its vivid imagery and rhythmic simplicity, the poem captures the essence of renewal and unity. Wordsworth shows how the natural world, in its yearly cycles, reflects harmony, hope, and the resilience of life.