"To a Skylark" : Quotations
"To a Skylark" is a notable literary work by Percy Bysshe Shelley. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of "To a Skylark".
Quotations
Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
Bird thou never wert,
That from Heaven, or near it,
Explanation: These lines express admiration and praise for the skylark, suggesting it’s like no ordinary bird, almost heavenly in its song and spirit.
Like a star of Heaven,
In the broad day-light
Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight,
Explanation: In this line, Shelley compares the skylark to a heavenly star that remains hidden in the daylight but can be heard through its joyful song.
Higher still and higher
From the earth thou springest
Like a cloud of fire;
Explanation: In this line, Shelley describes the skylark’s ascent from the earth as it rises like a fiery cloud, emphasizing its soaring and ethereal nature.
Teach us, Sprite or Bird,
What sweet thoughts are thine
Explanation: In this quote, the speaker asks the skylark to teach them the sweet thoughts that inspire its joyful song.
Teach me half the gladness
That thy brain must know,
Such harmonious madness
From my lips would flow
Explanation: In this line, the speaker wishes to gain some of the joy and poetic inspiration from the skylark experiences. He implies that this inspiration would lead to beautiful poetry flowing from his lips.
Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought
Explanation: This line suggests that the most beautiful songs are inspired by melancholy and deep emotions.