Summary and Analysis of the poem To One Who Has Been Long in City Pent:-
The poet describes the experience of a city-dweller who goes out to the
countryside on a holiday. After a long stay in the city, he is delighted as he
moves and breathes in the open atmosphere of the countryside. The sight of the
clear blue sky fills heart with joy. There is no dust and smoke, no din and
bustle as in the city. He prays to God in gratitude. When he feels tired he
lies down on a bed of soft wavy grass and reads a sweet love-story. At that
moment he feels he is the happiest man on earth.
At the end of the day, the city-dweller must return to the city. While returning
home, he hears the sweet notes of the nightingale and sees the patches of
clouds sailing across the sky. He has enjoyed the day so much that he cannot understand
how the day has rolled by quickly. He feels sad for the sweet day has passed by
rather too soon.
To One who has been Long in City Pent
by John Keats
To one who has been long in city pent,
'Tis very sweet to look into the fair
And open face of heaven,--to breathe a prayer
Full in the smile of the blue firmament.
Who is more happy, when, with heart's content,
Fatigued he sinks into some pleasant lair
Of wavy grass, and reads a debonair
And gentle tale of love and languishment?
Returning home at evening, with an ear
Catching the notes of Philomel,--an eye
Watching the sailing cloudlet's bright career,
He mourns that day so soon has glided by:
E'en like the passage of an angel's tear
That falls through the clear ether silently.
