The Darkling Thrush BY THOMAS HARDY | Line by line explanation |

 

The Darkling Thrush

BY THOMAS HARDY

 

"I leant upon a coppice gate"

 

The speaker is describing a scene where they are leaning on a gate that is situated within a coppice. A coppice is an area of woodland where trees are periodically cut back to stimulate growth.

"When Frost was spectre-grey,"

 

The time being described is when it's very cold, likely during winter. The word "spectre-grey" suggests that the coldness of the frost has a ghostly or eerie quality, creating a somewhat ominous atmosphere.

"And Winter's dregs made desolate"

 

The remnants or last part of winter are being referred to as "Winter's dregs." This could imply that it's the end of the winter season. "Made desolate" indicates that the surroundings or environment are bleak and empty.

"The weakening eye of day."

 

This phrase metaphorically refers to the sun as it is setting or approaching sunset. The sun's light is diminishing, or its "eye" is becoming weaker as the day comes to an end.

"The tangled bine-stems scored the sky"

 

The plant stems, specifically those of the bine plants (which are similar to vines), are described as tangled. These tangled stems are creating marks or patterns on the sky. "Scored" here means to mark or scratch.

"Like strings of broken lyres,"

 

The tangled stems in the sky are being compared to the strings of lyres (a type of musical instrument similar to a small harp) that are broken. This simile suggests a sense of disorder and melancholy.

"And all mankind that haunted nigh"

 

People who were around or nearby are being described as "haunting." This doesn't mean they are ghosts, but rather that they are present or moving around in the vicinity.

"Had sought their household fires."

 

The people mentioned earlier have gone indoors to gather around their household fires. This indicates that they are seeking warmth and comfort from the cold weather.

In summary, this stanza paints a vivid picture of a cold and desolate winter scene. The speaker leans on a gate within a wooded area while describing the wintry landscape. The fading light of the day, tangled plant stems in the sky, and the image of people retreating to their homes emphasize the somber and chilling nature of the environment.

 

"The land's sharp features seemed to be"

 

The speaker is describing how the distinct and prominent physical characteristics of the landscape appear to them.

"The Century's corpse outleant,"

 

The speaker is metaphorically comparing the landscape to the "corpse" of a century that has come to an end. The century here refers to a hundred-year period, and "outleant" suggests that this century's end is visibly extended or laid out.

"His crypt the cloudy canopy,"

 

The sky, filled with clouds, is being likened to a crypt—a burial place or chamber. This metaphor suggests that the sky is like a burial site for the ending century.

"The wind his death-lament."

 

The wind is compared to a mournful song or lament that marks the death of the century. This personification of the wind adds to the mournful and somber mood of the scene.

"The ancient pulse of germ and birth"

 

The natural life force that leads to the growth and birth of new living things is referred to as the "ancient pulse." This pulse signifies the vitality and energy of life.

"Was shrunken hard and dry,"

 

This life force, which is usually full of vigor and vitality, is described as having diminished. It has become "shrunken" and lacking its usual vibrancy. The imagery of "hard and dry" suggests a lack of moisture and life.

"And every spirit upon earth"

 

The emotions, energy, and vitality of all living beings on Earth are collectively referred to as "every spirit upon earth."

"Seemed fervourless as I."

 

The speaker is sharing their own emotional state of being "fervourless," or lacking passion, enthusiasm, or intensity. The speaker's feelings seem to mirror the lack of vitality and energy they perceive in the world around them.

In summary, this stanza continues the portrayal of a desolate and bleak scene. The landscape is described as if it were the corpse of a century that has ended, with the sky as a symbolic crypt and the wind as a mournful song. The natural vitality that normally brings forth life is depicted as diminished and lacking its usual vitality. The speaker's emotional state reflects the overall lack of energy and passion that they perceive in the world around them.

"At once a voice arose among"

 

Suddenly, a voice became audible among the surroundings.

"The bleak twigs overhead"

 

The voice is originating from the bare and harsh branches above.

"In a full-hearted evensong"

 

The voice is singing a song that is filled with a deep and sincere sense of emotion and sentiment. "Evensong" refers to the singing of a song in the evening, often associated with prayer.

"Of joy illimited;"

 

The song is brimming with unbounded or limitless joy. The use of "illimited" emphasizes the abundant and unrestrained nature of this joy.

"An aged thrush, frail, gaunt, and small,"

 

The source of the voice is described as an "aged thrush," which is a small bird. The bird is characterized as "frail" (fragile), "gaunt" (thin and worn), and "small."

"In blast-beruffled plume,"

 

The bird's feathers (plume) are ruffled and disheveled (beruffled) due to the strong winds (blast). This indicates that the bird has weathered challenging conditions.

"Had chosen thus to fling his soul"

 

The thrush has made the deliberate choice to pour its emotions and essence into its song. This metaphorical use of "fling his soul" emphasizes the intensity and heartfelt nature of the bird's singing.

"Upon the growing gloom."

 

The thrush's song is directed towards the increasing darkness or gloom of the surroundings. The use of "growing gloom" suggests that the day is turning into night, and the bird's song pierces through this darkness.

In summary, this section introduces the song of an aged thrush that breaks through the desolate and somber scene. The bird's singing is characterized by its passionate and joyous nature, despite the difficult conditions it has endured. The thrush's song becomes a prominent and emotional contrast to the surrounding darkness, infusing a sense of vibrancy and life into the otherwise gloomy atmosphere.

"So little cause for carolings"

 

The speaker is reflecting on how there seems to be very few reasons or justifications for joyful and exuberant songs.

"Of such ecstatic sound"

 

The speaker is emphasizing the extremely joyful and ecstatic nature of the song they've been hearing.

"Was written on terrestrial things"

 

The speaker suggests that there are few visible or apparent reasons in the physical world that could account for such intense happiness and exuberance.

"Afar or nigh around,"

 

Whether looking far away or nearby, the speaker is indicating that there are no immediate or obvious explanations for this level of joyful singing.

"That I could think there trembled through"

 

The speaker is beginning to consider the idea that perhaps there was an underlying reason or emotion that they hadn't initially recognized.

"His happy good-night air"

 

The song of the thrush has a joyful quality that seems like a cheerful "good night" message.

"Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew"

 

The speaker is speculating that the thrush's song might be inspired by a sense of "blessed Hope" that the bird is aware of.

"And I was unaware."

 

The speaker realizes that they themselves are unaware of this "blessed Hope" that could be inspiring the bird's joyful song.

In summary, this section delves into the speaker's contemplation of the thrush's exuberant song. Despite the lack of apparent reasons in the physical world for such intense joy, the speaker begins to consider the possibility that the bird's singing might be fueled by a "blessed Hope" that they themselves are unaware of. This idea introduces a sense of mystery and suggests that there might be deeper, unseen forces at play that influence the bird's song and the world around it.