Loveliest of Trees Man and the Natural World Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Line)

Quote #1

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough (1-2)

Even though it's mostly a poem about making the most out of life, the opening lines make it seem like a poem about cherry trees. The first words—"Loveliest of trees"—and the description that follows make us think that it just as well have been called "Ode to a Cherry Tree."

Quote #2

And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide. (3-4)

There's something almost human about the natural world. The personification makes us think of the cherry tree as a person dressing for the season. How cute.

Quote #3

And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room, (9-10)

Okay, 50 years is plenty of time, but that's not really the point. Nature is incredible. It is so rich and varied that you literally spend your entire life just looking at it.