TO THE CUCKOO
O, blithe newcomer! I have heard
I hear three and rejoice
O Cuckoo! shall I call thee bird
or but a wandering voice
While on I am lying on the grass
They twofold shout I hear
From hill to hill it seems to pass
At once far off and near
Though babbling only to the vale
Of sunshine and of flowers
Thou bringest unto me a tale
of the visionary hour.
The thrice welcome darling of the spring!
Even yet thou art to me
No bird, but an invisible thing
A voice, a mystery.
—William Wordsworth
(a)Why does the poet want to address the cuckoo as a wandering voice?
(b)Which line in the poem tells that the birds’ voice can be heard everywhere?
(c)What does the bird tell the poet?
(d)Which phrase tells you that the poet loves to listen to the birds?
(e)Why does, the poet say ‘a voice, a mystery’.
(f)Which word says that the bird is happy and carefree?
(g)When does the poet hear the bird?
(h)What is the effect of its sweet voice on the poet?
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