The poem
Oh, to be in England Now that April's there, And whoever wakes in England Sees, some morning, unaware, That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf, While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough In England—now!
And after April, when May follows, And the whitethroat builds, and all the swallows! Hark, where my blossomed pear-tree in the hedge Leans to the field and scatters on the clover Blossoms and dewdrops—at the bent spray's edge— That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over, Lest you should think he never could recapture The first fine careless rapture! And though the fields look rough with hoary dew, All will be gay when noontide wakes anew The buttercups, the little children's dower —Far brighter than this gaudy melon-flower!
Obviously there is plenty of imagery in this poem. I understand the bulk of the poem and enjoy Browning's use of imagery to invoke in the reader the speaker's feelings about home. I am confused somewhat on the last few lines of the poem. It seems that the speaker, although he likes thinking about England, would rather not live there. Can anyone clarify?
Lauren is right that the poem is lush with imagery; more impressive to me is the rush of emotion Browning creates with the rhythms of his language.
I agree with both Lauren and Judy.
Browning lived in Italy, i think, for most of his married life. Although he loved England he loved Italy, especially renaissence italy, more and lived there with Barrett-Browning until she died.
It is possible that this poem is a reflection on his own thoughts about england when he lived abroad.
He is expressing himself through a character, like in the Lost leader.
My 98 year old mother quoted this poem to me last Dec 27 2007; she delivered babies by bicycle in Birmingham in the late 30's before returning to Vancouver Canada before WWII.
English Lit.
A fine example of a nostalgic poem by Browning.The flow of thoughts and rhythm are like morning breeze that blows in Spring.Browning paints a vivid picture from his imagination of spring in England.I think it inspires every reader who is homesick.