“Lucy Gray” is a short poem written by William Wordsworth, which was published in his “Lyrical Ballads”, that work was published in 1799.
Introduction:
“Lucy Gray” is a poignant narrative poem written by William Wordsworth, a prominent figure in the English Romantic movement. Published in 1799 as part of Wordsworth’s collection “Lyrical Ballads,” the poem tells the story of Lucy Gray, a young girl who becomes lost in a snowstorm while wandering in the wilderness near her home. Through vivid imagery and lyrical language, Wordsworth explores themes of nature, innocence, and the transient nature of life. “Lucy Gray” is celebrated for its evocative portrayal of the natural world and its reflection on the human condition, making it a timeless and enduring work of English literature.
Line By Line Explanation:
Oft I had heard of Lucy Gray:
And, when I crossed the wild,
I chanced to see at break of day
The solitary child.
These lines are from the poem “Lucy Gray” by William Wordsworth. In these lines, the speaker says that they have often heard stories about a girl named Lucy Gray. One day, while traveling through the wild, they happened to see Lucy Gray at dawn. She was alone, a solitary child, meaning she had no one with her. The speaker seems to be setting the scene for a story about this lonely girl.
No mate, no comrade Lucy knew;
She dwelt on a wide moor,
–The sweetest thing that ever grew
Beside a human door!
In these lines, the speaker explains that Lucy Gray had no friends or companions. She lived alone on a large, open moor (a wide, empty land). Even though she was all by herself, Lucy was described as the sweetest and most lovely person, like a beautiful flower growing near someone’s house. The speaker emphasizes her innocence and purity, despite her isolation.
You yet may spy the fawn at play,
The hare upon the green;
But the sweet face of Lucy Gray
Will never more be seen.
In these lines, the speaker is saying that you might still see lively animals, like a young deer (a fawn) playing or a rabbit (a hare) hopping on the grassy land. However, the sweet face of Lucy Gray will never be seen again. This suggests that something tragic has happened to Lucy, and she is gone forever, unlike the animals that continue to live and play.
“To-night will be a stormy night–
You to the town must go;
And take a lantern, Child, to light
Your mother through the snow.”
In these lines, someone, probably Lucy Gray’s father, is warning Lucy that there will be a stormy night ahead. He is telling her that she needs to go to the town and take a lantern with her. The purpose of the lantern is to help her light the way through the snow so that her mother can safely return home. This sets the stage for Lucy’s journey on a cold and stormy night.
“That, Father! will I gladly do:
‘Tis scarcely afternoon–
The minster-clock has just struck two,
And yonder is the moon!”
In these lines, Lucy Gray responds to her father’s request. She agrees happily and says that she will gladly go. She mentions that it is not yet late in the day—it’s just a little past two in the afternoon, as she knows from hearing the clock at the church (minster) chime. She also points out that the moon is already visible in the sky, indicating that the evening is approaching even though it’s still daytime. Lucy seems cheerful and willing to help, unaware of the danger that might be ahead.
At this the Father raised his hook,
And snapped a faggot-band;
He plied his work;–and Lucy took
The lantern in her hand.
In these lines, after Lucy agrees to go, her father returns to his work. He lifts his tool (a hook) and breaks a band of sticks (a faggot-band) to continue his task. Meanwhile, Lucy takes the lantern in her hand, ready to head out on her journey. The father is busy with his work, trusting Lucy to carry out the task he has given her. The scene shows both the father’s trust in Lucy and her readiness to help, despite the coming storm.
Not blither is the mountain roe:
With many a wanton stroke
Her feet disperse the powdery snow,
That rises up like smoke.
In these lines, the speaker describes how cheerful and lively Lucy Gray is. She is compared to a mountain roe (a type of deer) who is not happier than Lucy. As she walks through the snow, she playfully moves her feet, scattering the light, powdery snow. The snow rises into the air like smoke, showing how carefree and joyful Lucy is as she makes her way through the snowy landscape.
The storm came on before its time:
She wandered up and down;
And many a hill did Lucy climb:
But never reached the town.
In these lines, the speaker explains that the storm arrived earlier than expected. Lucy Gray, caught in the storm, wandered around, lost and confused. She climbed many hills, trying to find her way, but sadly, she never made it to the town. This suggests that Lucy became lost in the storm and never completed her journey. The mood of the poem shifts here, introducing a sense of worry and tragedy.
The wretched parents all that night
Went shouting far and wide;
But there was neither sound nor sight
To serve them for a guide.
In these lines, Lucy Gray’s parents are desperate and worried. They spend the entire night searching for her, calling out her name as they wander through the area, hoping to find her. However, despite their efforts, they neither hear any sound nor see any sign that could help them find Lucy. The parents are lost in their search, with no clues to guide them, emphasizing their despair and helplessness.
At day-break on a hill they stood
That overlooked the moor;
And thence they saw the bridge of wood,
A furlong from their door.
In these lines, as the sun rises, Lucy Gray’s parents stand on a hill that overlooks the wide, open moor. From this high vantage point, they spot a wooden bridge in the distance, which is just a short distance (a furlong) from their home. This suggests that they are getting closer to finding Lucy or understanding where she might have gone, as they see something familiar from their past searches.
They wept–and, turning homeward, cried,
“In heaven we all shall meet;”
–When in the snow the mother spied
The print of Lucy’s feet.
In these lines, Lucy Gray’s parents, feeling overwhelmed and sad, begin to cry as they head back home. They express their hope that they will be reunited with Lucy in heaven. As they walk, the mother suddenly notices the footprints left by Lucy in the snow. This discovery brings a new clue, suggesting that Lucy was in the area and giving the parents a glimmer of hope in their search.
Then downwards from the steep hill’s edge
They tracked the footmarks small;
And through the broken hawthorn hedge,
And by the long stone-wall;
In these lines, Lucy Gray’s parents follow the small footprints they found in the snow. They carefully track these marks as they move down from the steep edge of the hill. Their search leads them through a broken hedge made of hawthorn bushes and along a long stone wall. These details show the parents’ determination to follow every clue and find their missing daughter.
And then an open field they crossed:
The marks were still the same;
They tracked them on, nor ever lost;
And to the bridge they came.
In these lines, Lucy Gray’s parents continue their search across an open field, following the same footprints. The tracks remain clear and consistent, guiding them without interruption. Their determination leads them to the bridge, which they had previously spotted from the hill. The footprints have successfully led them to this familiar landmark, suggesting they are getting closer to finding Lucy.
They followed from the snowy bank
Those footmarks, one by one,
Into the middle of the plank;
And further there were none!
In these lines, Lucy Gray’s parents trace the footprints from the snowy bank onto the wooden bridge. They follow the marks step by step, leading them to the center of the bridge. However, once they reach this point, they find that the footprints stop there—there are no more tracks to follow. This implies that Lucy either crossed the bridge or that something happened to her on it, leaving the parents with a sense of mystery and uncertainty about what happened next.
Yet some maintain that to this day
She is a living child;
That you may see sweet Lucy Gray
Upon the lonesome wild.
In these lines, the speaker mentions that some people believe Lucy Gray is still alive. According to this belief, you might still see her wandering in the lonely, wild landscape. This adds a sense of ongoing mystery and hope, suggesting that Lucy Gray might continue to exist in some form in the wilderness, even though her parents could not find her.
O’er rough and smooth she trips along,
And never looks behind;
And sings a solitary song
That whistles in the wind.
In these lines, it’s suggested that Lucy Gray, if she is still alive, moves through the landscape with ease, whether the terrain is rough or smooth. She never looks back and sings a lonely song as she goes. Her song is described as whistling in the wind, which adds a sense of her being a part of the natural world, continuing her solitary journey while leaving a haunting, melodic trace in the wind.