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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO JOHN DYER by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: BARD OF THE FLEECE, WHOSE SKILLFUL GENIUS MADE
Last Line: LONG AS THE THRUSH SHALL PIPE ON GRONGAR HILL!
Subject(s): DYER, JOHN (1699-1757);
BARD of the Fleece, whose skilful genius made
That work a living landscape fair and bright;
Nor hallowed less with musical delight
Than those soft scenes through which thy childhood strayed,
Those southern tracts of Cambria, "deep embayed,
With green hills fenced, with ocean's murmur lulled;"
Though hasty Fame hath many a chaplet culled
For worthless brows, while in the pensive shade
Of cold neglect she leaves thy head ungraced,
Yet pure and powerful minds, hearts meek and still,
A grateful few, shall love thy modest Lay,
Long as the shepherd's bleating flock shall stray
O'er naked Snowdon's wide aerial waste;
Long as the thrush shall pipe on Grongar Hill!



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