Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now Poem Explanation of Stanzas

In this post I am sharing 1st Year English Poem 3 Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now Explanation of All Stanzas with reference to the context. This poem belongs to the English Book 3 of class 11. There are 3 stanzas in this poem. I have also shared Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now Theme at the end of this post. Intermediate Part 1 Book 3 consists of Plays and Poems. For complete notes click here.

1st Year English Poem 3 Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now Explantion with Reference to the Context

Stanza No.1

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Easter tide.

Reference

These lines have been taken from the poem, “Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now” by A.E. Housman.

Context

The cherry loaded with white blossom is a source of pleasure for the poet. However, he also feels saddened at the shortness of earthly life to enjoy this enchanting sight of pleasure.

Explanation

These lines show the writer’s deep love for nature. Cherry is the loveliest and the most beautiful tree in his opinion. He is spell-bound to see it full of flowers. The branches of this loveliest tree are laden with buds, blossoms and flowers. Fully loaded with flowers, this fascinating tree stands along the way that leads to the woods and has decorated the entire path. It is a source of enjoyment for every passerby. The Cherry is laden with white flowers. It seems as if Cherry has put on the white dress to celebrate the most important Christian festival Easter, which is the commemoration of the resurrection of Christ. The poet has devotedly admired nature in this stanza. He enjoys the sensuous aspects of nature and gives a religious touch to the cherry.

Critical Appreciation

The lines brim with visual images. The Christian image of Easter has an interesting parallel with Spring as both spring and Easter are times of resurrection and rebirth. White is the symbol of purity. The poet believes in the purity of nature. The rhyme scheme in these lines is a, a, b, b. The poet has used the alliteration of ‘b’ and ‘w’ sounds in the given lines.

Stanza No. 2

Now, of my three score years and ten
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy Springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.

Explanation

The poet has been bestowed with seventy years of his life to live on this earth, according to Bible. The poet has enjoyed nature for twenty years. He mourns that he has spent those twenty years that will never come again. If he takes twenty years from the biblical seventy years, he will be left with fifty years to enjoy on this earth. The poet is so captivated by the beauty of cherry that he uses the word spring instead of years. It shows the poet’s intense love for the spring season and his passion for cherishing the beauty of nature. The poet wants to drink the cup of life to its very dregs.

Critical Appreciation

The rhyme scheme in these lines is a, a, b, b. The visual pleasure is complemented by the auditory impact as the poet has used the alliteration of ‘s’ sound in the given lines.

Stanza No. 3

And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty Springs are little room,
About the woodland, I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.

Explanation

The poet has enjoyed nature for twenty years. He is left with fifty years to enjoy on this earthy. But he still considers this span of time very short and brief. He wishes for a long life to enjoy the beauty of nature, coloured and enriched by the glory of the Cherry tree. The poet is determined to go to the woodland more often to enjoy the glorious Cherry tree. He wants to quench his aesthetic thirst by gazing at the beautiful boughs hung with snow. He wishes to make this scene everlasting.

Critical Appreciation

The words life ‘bloom’ and snow’ intensify the visual impact of these lines. The rhyme scheme in these lines is a, a, b, b.

Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now Poem Theme

The poet has depicted the beauty, loveliness and splendour of nature. He is captivated by the alluring beauty of Cherry. Although the poet has been enjoying every bloom of the Cherry for the last twenty years, he is not satisfied. He mourns his short life. He wants to compensate this loss by visiting the woodland many times in future. Nature is beautiful, but life is short to enjoy it.

Relevant Notes

1. Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now Short Questions
2. 1st Year English Poem 3 MCQs and Synonyms
3. Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry Now Urdu Translation