The Small Celandine

William Wordsworth

1770 to 1850

Poem Image

We are working on musical arrangements of The Small Celandine by William Wordsworth and they will be published on a date yet to be decided.

There is a Flower, the Lesser Celandine,
That shrinks, like many more, from cold and rain;
And, the first moment that the sun may shine,
Bright as the sun itself, 'tis out again!

When hailstones have been falling swarm on swarm,
Or blasts the green field and the trees distress'd,
Oft have I seen it muffled up from harm,
In close self-shelter, like a Thing at rest.

But lately, one rough day, this Flower I pass'd,
And recognized it, though an alter'd Form, 
Now standing forth an offering to the Blast,
And buffetted at will by Rain and Storm,

I stopp'd, and said with inly muttered voice,
"It doth not love the shower, nor seek the cold:
This neither is its courage nor its choice,
But its necessity in being old."

The sunshine may not bless it, nor the dew;
It cannot help itself in its decay;
Stiff in its members, wither'd, changed of hue.
And, in my spleen, I smiled that it was grey. 

To be a Prodigal's Favorite—then, worse truth,
A Miser's Pensioner—behold our lot!
O Man! that from thy fair and shining youth
Age might but take the things Youth needed not!

William Wordsworth's The Small Celandine

We are busy working to bring William Wordsworth's "The Small Celandine" to life through our unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you soon.

At V2Melody, each arrangement is crafted with care through a thoughtful partnership of human artistry and technological innovation. This process involves:

  • Deep analysis of the poem's rhythm, structure, and emotional essence
  • Careful selection of musical styles that enhance the poem's unique voice
  • Balancing traditional poetic expression with contemporary sound landscapes
  • Multiple revisions to ensure the arrangement honors the poet's original vision

This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to William Wordsworth's words in meaningful ways.

While you wait for our complete interpretation, we invite you to explore other musical arrangements in our gallery or learn more about William Wordsworth's life and contributions to literature.

Check back soon to experience how "The Small Celandine" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.