I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed, and gazed, but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Poems of William Wordsworth (1904) | William Wordsworth (1770–1850)
Suggestions
Ask your students to do one or more of the following:
- What in the poem is personified? (daffodils)
- Learn more about daffodils.
- Make a list of at least three examples of personification.
- Narrate the poem.
- Choose a stanza of the poem to copy and illustrate on Drawing and Writing Paper.
- What is the rhyme scheme? (ababcc)
- Compare and contrast this poem with “April Rain” by Robert Loveman.
- Explain the point the poet is making.
Additional Resources
Wheeler’s Graded Studies in Great Authors {Free}
You’ll find many passages by William Wordsworth for copywork or dictation!
Free Nature Studies: A Plant & Its Flower
Learn more about daffodils.
Cloud Studies {Free eBook}
An excellent introduction to clouds that begins with the language and classification of clouds while at the same time encouraging observation.
Free Nature Studies: Sky & Clouds
From our free nature studies.
Cloud Chart {Free}
Learn more!
