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WHEN the voices of children are heard on the green, And…

“WHEN the voices of children are heard on the green, And laughing is heard on the hill, My heart is at rest within my breast, And everything else is still. Then come home, my children, the sun is gone down, And the dews of night arise; Come, come, leave off play, and let us away Till the morning…” quote by William Blake
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““WHEN the voices of children are heard on the green, And laughing is heard on the hill, My heart is at rest within my breast, And everything else is still. Then come home, my children, the sun is gone down, And the dews of night arise; Come, come, leave off play, and let us away Till the morning appears in the skies. No, no, let us play, for it is yet day, And we cannot go to sleep; Besides, in the sky the little birds fly, And the hills are all cover’d with sheep. Well, well, go and play till the light fades away, And then go home to bed.’ The little ones leaped and shouted and laugh’d And all the hills echoed.””

William Blake

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Celebrates the innocence and joy of children playing in nature, finding peace in simple moments

In simple terms: Children find peace in nature and play

Key Takeaway

Appreciate simple joys and natural surroundings

Themes

nature innocence peace

Mood

nostalgic calming

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • family outings
  • educational activities
  • mindfulness practices

Key Concepts

childhood wonder pastoral imagery temporal flow

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can adults preserve this sense of wonder?
  • What role does nature play in emotional health?
A Different Perspective

May romanticize childhood without acknowledging hardships

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