I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud - William Wordsworth
/I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud - William Wordsworth/
A Joyous Encounter with Nature’s Golden Daffodils
Original (Line 1): I wandered lonely as a Cloud
English (Line 1): I wandered lonely as a Cloud
Original (Line 2): That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills,
English (Line 2): That floats high over valleys and hills,
Original (Line 3): When all at once I saw a crowd,
English (Line 3): When suddenly I saw a crowd,
Original (Line 4): A host, of golden Daffodils;
English (Line 4): A host of golden Daffodils;
Original (Line 5): Beside the Lake, beneath the trees,
English (Line 5): Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Original (Line 6): Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
English (Line 6): Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Original (Line 7): Continuous as the stars that shine
English (Line 7): Continuous as the stars that shine
Original (Line 8): And twinkle on the milky Way,
English (Line 8): And twinkle on the Milky Way,
Original (Line 9): They stretched in never-ending line
English (Line 9): They stretched in an unending line
Original (Line 10): Along the margin of a bay:
English (Line 10): Along the margin of a bay;
Original (Line 11): Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
English (Line 11): Ten thousand I saw at a glance,
Original (Line 12): Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
English (Line 12): Tossing their heads in a lively dance.
Original (Line 13): The waves beside them danced; but they
English (Line 13): The waves beside them danced; but these
Original (Line 14): Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
English (Line 14): Outshone the sparkling waves in glee;
Original (Line 15): A Poet could not but be gay,
English (Line 15): A poet could not help being gay,
Original (Line 16): In such a jocund company:
English (Line 16): In such a cheerful company;
Original (Line 17): I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
English (Line 17): I gazed—and gazed—but hardly realized
Original (Line 18): What wealth the show to me had brought:
English (Line 18): The wealth their display had brought me:
Original (Line 19): For oft, when on my couch I lie
English (Line 19): For often, when I lie on my couch
Original (Line 20): In vacant or in pensive mood,
English (Line 20): In a vacant or thoughtful mood,
Original (Line 21): They flash upon that inward eye
English (Line 21): They flash upon that inward eye
Original (Line 22): Which is the bliss of solitude;
English (Line 22): Which is the bliss of solitude;
Original (Line 23): And then my heart with pleasure fills,
English (Line 23): And then my heart is filled with pleasure,
Original (Line 24): And dances with the Daffodils.
English (Line 24): And dances with the Daffodils.
William Wordsworth’s poem was first published in 1807. This text is in the public domain.
William Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”—often referred to as “Daffodils”—embodies the spirit of English Romanticism by celebrating the healing force of nature. The poem begins with the solitary speaker, likening himself to a drifting cloud, before he stumbles upon a vibrant expanse of golden daffodils near a lake. The sheer abundance and liveliness of these flowers enchant him, surpassing even the sparkling waves beside them.
Through Wordsworth’s depiction, nature is alive with personality, dancing joyously in the breeze. The daffodils themselves become a cheerful company, demonstrating that even a lone wanderer can find solace in the grandeur of the natural world. This experience plants a lasting emotional memory, which Wordsworth’s speaker later revisits in moments of reflective solitude. The recollection of the daffodils stirs his imagination and lifts his spirits, testifying to the poem’s overarching theme: that communion with nature fosters introspection and creative renewal.
Rooted in the Romantic ideal that the external landscape reflects and shapes human emotion, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” remains a timeless ode to the subtle yet profound links between the natural environment and inner well-being. Wordsworth’s appreciation for simple pleasures and everyday marvels reminds us that the joy of discovery lies in both the moment of encounter and the memory it ignites in our minds.
Key points
1. Wordsworth portrays nature as an uplifting companion, transforming solitude into joy.
2. Memory and reflection on natural beauty nourish the human spirit long after the experience ends.
3. Romantic ideals celebrate the synergy between external landscapes and inner emotional life.
4. The poem’s imagery underscores the rejuvenating power of simple encounters with the natural world.
