The Echoing Green, William Blake: Summary & Analysis
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In William Blake's poem " The Echoing Green ," the speaker presents a cheerful and idyllic scene of a sunny day on the village green. The poem captures the joyous and carefree nature of youth and the fleeting nature of time. Through vivid imagery, a gentle tone, and contrasts between youth and old age, Blake reflects on the cycles of life and the bittersweet passage from childhood to adulthood. The Echoing Green by William Blake
The sun does arise,
And make happy the skies;
The merry bells ring
To welcome the Spring;
The skylark and thrush,
The birds of the bush,
Sing louder around
To the bells’ cheerful sound;
While our sports shall be seen
On the echoing Green.
Old John, with white hair,
Does laugh away care,
Sitting under the oak,
Among the old folk.
They laugh at our play,
And soon they all say,
‘‘Such, such were the joys
When we all — girls and boys —
In our youth-time were seen
On the echoing Green.’’
Till the little ones, weary,
No more can be merry:
The sun does …