Spring Poem Summary and Line by Line Explanation in English Class 6th

Introduction 

Thomas Nashe is the author of the poem “Spring.” The winters are followed by the spring season. The natural world around us is always changing. Warm, bright sunshine replaces the chilly, bleak weather. Nature begins to take on a more vibrant and colourful appearance. People appear to be happy and active as a result of the vibrant warmth of the spring season. The poet cherishes the arrival of spring. It is the most enjoyable time of the year. Nashe elaborates on the active energy that radiates throughout spring.

About The Poet

Thomas Nashe was born in Lowestoft in 1561 and went to St John’s College, Cambridge, for his education. Thomas Nashe was an Elizabethan dramatist, poet, satirist, and pamphleteer who lived during the reign of Elizabeth I. 

Theme Of The Poem

The lyrical voice conveys delight at the approach of warmer months and opportunities, giving the poem a happy tone. The song’s central theme is nature, as Nashe creates a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. Furthermore, spring and nature are intertwined with life and how this season offers happiness and refreshment.

Stanza 1

Spring, the sweet spring, is the year’s pleasant king,
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing:
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

The first stanza highlights the magnificence of nature during springtime. Spring, according to the poet, is the year’s ‘pleasant king.’ By highlighting its sweetness and peculiar characteristics, spring is personified and differentiated from the other seasons. Spring is unlike any other season because everything and everyone is cheerful and joyous. Spring is a period when nature is at its best and people rejoice. There is no cold, no grief (“Cold doth not sting”), and birds chirp, conveying a sense of hope and fulfilment.

Stanza 2

The palm and may make country houses gay,
Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day,
And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay:
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!

 ‘Palm and may’ refers to springtime celebrations. These celebrations bring people delight, give them a sense of a fresh beginning, and “make country houses gay.” Little lambs “frisk and play”, showing a sense of enthusiasm. The lambs, who had been locked up for the whole winter season, are finally being set free in the nice spring weather. The lambs leap and run joyfully now that they have achieved freedom, and their shepherds play a happy melody on their pipes.

Stanza 3

The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet,
Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit,
In every street these tunes our ears do greet:
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to witta-woo!
Spring, the sweet spring!

The fields and flowers in the countryside rejuvenate nature. This countryside appears to be an exquisite destination for everyone, from “young lovers” to “old wives.” Nashe associates spring with a period when people gather and are filled with love and excitement by alluding to the youthful lovers. In fact, it appears that everyone is influenced by this happy mood, as happiness can be observed “in every street” because “these tunes our ears do greet.”