---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the Spring a livelier iris changes on…"
description: "\"In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd dove; In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.\" — Alfred Lord Tennyson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_april-and-spring_in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on_593975.png"
---

#  In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd…

![“In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd dove; In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_april-and-spring_in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on_593975.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_april-and-spring_in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on_593975.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_april-and-spring_in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on_593975.png)

> “In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd dove; In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

## About This Quote

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

Describes how spring awakens both nature and youthful love.

**In simple terms:** Spring sparks new love and inspiration.

Key Takeaway

Notice seasonal influences on emotions.

Themes

nature love renewal

Mood

hopeful reflective

Type

poetic inspirational

When to use this quote

- gardening
- first dates
- creative writing

Key Concepts

poetry romanticism

Questions to Reflect On

- How does season affect your mood?
- What does 'iris' symbolize for you?

A Different Perspective

May romanticize love, overlooking practicalities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[April and spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/april-and-spring/) [Burnish Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burnish-dove-4856325/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dove/) [Dove Spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dove-spring-4856323/) [Fancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fancy/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Irises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irises/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Spring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spring/) [Spring Livelier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spring-livelier-4856324/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) [Young man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-man/)

## Related quotes

> [Sweet is every sound, Sweeter thy voice, but every sound is sweet; Myriads of rivulets hurrying thro' the lawn, The moans of doves in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/sweet-is-every-sound-sweeter-thy-voice-but-every-sound-is-sweet/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [There has fallen a splendid tear From the passion-flower at the gate. She is coming, my dove, my dear; She is coming, my life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/there-has-fallen-a-splendid-tear-from-the-passion-flower-at-the-gate/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [And oft I heard the tender dove In firry woodlands making moan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/and-oft-i-heard-the-tender-dove-in-firry-woodlands-making-moan/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [A gush of bird song, a patter of dew A cloud and a rainbow's warning; Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue An April day in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-elizabeth-prescott-spofford/a-gush-of-bird-song-a-patter-of-dew-a-cloud-and-a-rainbow-s-warning/)

[Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-elizabeth-prescott-spofford/)

> [That God once loved a garden we learn in Holy writ. And seeing gardens in the Spring I well can credit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winifred-mary-letts/that-god-once-loved-a-garden-we-learn-in-holy-writ-and-seeing-gardens/)

[Winifred Mary Letts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winifred-mary-letts/)

> [Hoe while it is spring, and enjoy the best anticipations. It is not much matter if things do not turn out well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/hoe-while-it-is-spring-and-enjoy-the-best-anticipations-it-is-not/)

[Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/)

> [Every tear is answered by a blossom, Every sigh with songs and laughter blent, April-blooms upon the breezes toss them. April knows her own,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chauncey-woolsey/every-tear-is-answered-by-a-blossom-every-sigh-with-songs-and/)

[Sarah Chauncey Woolsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chauncey-woolsey/)

> [God is in his Heaven, all's right with the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/god-is-in-his-heaven-all-s-right-with-the-world/)

[Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/)

> [The naked earth is warm with Spring, And with green grass and bursting trees Leans to the sun's kiss glorying, And quivers in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-grenfell/the-naked-earth-is-warm-with-spring-and-with-green-grass-and-bursting/)

[Julian Grenfell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-grenfell/)

> [Loveliest of trees, the cherry now Is hung with bloom along the bough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-e-housman/loveliest-of-trees-the-cherry-now-is-hung-with-bloom-along-the-bough/)

[A. E. Housman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-e-housman/)

> [Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March, that month of wind and taxes, the wind will presently disappear, the taxes last us all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/indoors-or-out-no-one-relaxes-in-march-that-month-of-wind-and-taxes/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [You can't see Canada across lake Erie, but you know it's there. It's the same with spring. You have to have faith, especially in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-fleischman/you-can-t-see-canada-across-lake-erie-but-you-know-it-s-there-it-s/)

[Paul Fleischman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-fleischman/)

> [Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell Of different flowers in odour and in hue Could make me any summer's story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/yet-nor-the-lays-of-birds-nor-the-sweet-smell-of-different-flowers-in/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [There is no season such delight can bring, as summer, autumn, winter and the spring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-browne/there-is-no-season-such-delight-can-bring-as-summer-autumn-winter-and/)

[William Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-browne/)

> [The shot heard round the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-shot-heard-round-the-world/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

## More by Alfred Lord Tennyson

> [Faith and unfaith can ne'er be equal powers; Unfaith is aught is want of faith in all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/faith-and-unfaith-can-ne-er-be-equal-powers-unfaith-is-aught-is-want/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [There is sweet music here that softer falls Than petals from blown roses on the grass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/there-is-sweet-music-here-that-softer-falls-than-petals-from-blown/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [I do but sing because I must; and pipe but as the linnets sing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/i-do-but-sing-because-i-must-and-pipe-but-as-the-linnets-sing/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [Here about the beach I wandered, nourishing a youth sublime With the fairy tales of science, and the long result of Time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/here-about-the-beach-i-wandered-nourishing-a-youth-sublime-with-the/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [So now I have sworn to bury All this dead body of hate I feel so free and so clear By the loss of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/so-now-i-have-sworn-to-bury-all-this-dead-body-of-hate-i-feel-so-free/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [The jingling of the guinea helps the hurt that Honor feels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-jingling-of-the-guinea-helps-the-hurt-that-honor-feels/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [I come from haunts of coot and hern, I make a sudden sally And sparkle out among the fern, To bicker down a valley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/i-come-from-haunts-of-coot-and-hern-i-make-a-sudden-sally-and-sparkle/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [Willows whiten, aspens quiver, Little breezes dusk and shiver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/willows-whiten-aspens-quiver-little-breezes-dusk-and-shiver/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/cast-all-your-cares-on-god-that-anchor-holds/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [Such a one do I remember, whom to look at was love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/such-a-one-do-i-remember-whom-to-look-at-was-love/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [If Nature put not forth her power About the opening of the flower, Who is it that could live an hour?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/if-nature-put-not-forth-her-power-about-the-opening-of-the-flower-who/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [As the husband is the wife is; thou art mated with a clown, As the grossness of his nature will have weight to drag…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/as-the-husband-is-the-wife-is-thou-art-mated-with-a-clown-as-the/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [Sin is too stupid to see beyond itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/sin-is-too-stupid-to-see-beyond-itself/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [Thou madest man, he knows not why, he thinks he was not made to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/thou-madest-man-he-knows-not-why-he-thinks-he-was-not-made-to-die/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

[Explore all 501 Alfred Lord Tennyson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

## More April and spring quotes

> [The shot heard round the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-shot-heard-round-the-world/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [There is no season such delight can bring, as summer, autumn, winter and the spring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-browne/there-is-no-season-such-delight-can-bring-as-summer-autumn-winter-and/)

[William Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-browne/)

> [Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell Of different flowers in odour and in hue Could make me any summer's story…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/yet-nor-the-lays-of-birds-nor-the-sweet-smell-of-different-flowers-in/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [You can't see Canada across lake Erie, but you know it's there. It's the same with spring. You have to have faith, especially in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-fleischman/you-can-t-see-canada-across-lake-erie-but-you-know-it-s-there-it-s/)

[Paul Fleischman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-fleischman/)

> [Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March, that month of wind and taxes, the wind will presently disappear, the taxes last us all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/indoors-or-out-no-one-relaxes-in-march-that-month-of-wind-and-taxes/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [Loveliest of trees, the cherry now Is hung with bloom along the bough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-e-housman/loveliest-of-trees-the-cherry-now-is-hung-with-bloom-along-the-bough/)

[A. E. Housman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-e-housman/)

> [The naked earth is warm with Spring, And with green grass and bursting trees Leans to the sun's kiss glorying, And quivers in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-grenfell/the-naked-earth-is-warm-with-spring-and-with-green-grass-and-bursting/)

[Julian Grenfell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-grenfell/)

> [God is in his Heaven, all's right with the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/god-is-in-his-heaven-all-s-right-with-the-world/)

[Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/)

> [Every tear is answered by a blossom, Every sigh with songs and laughter blent, April-blooms upon the breezes toss them. April knows her own,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chauncey-woolsey/every-tear-is-answered-by-a-blossom-every-sigh-with-songs-and/)

[Sarah Chauncey Woolsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chauncey-woolsey/)

> [Hoe while it is spring, and enjoy the best anticipations. It is not much matter if things do not turn out well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/hoe-while-it-is-spring-and-enjoy-the-best-anticipations-it-is-not/)

[Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/)

> [That God once loved a garden we learn in Holy writ. And seeing gardens in the Spring I well can credit it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winifred-mary-letts/that-god-once-loved-a-garden-we-learn-in-holy-writ-and-seeing-gardens/)

[Winifred Mary Letts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winifred-mary-letts/)

> [A gush of bird song, a patter of dew A cloud and a rainbow's warning; Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue An April day in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-elizabeth-prescott-spofford/a-gush-of-bird-song-a-patter-of-dew-a-cloud-and-a-rainbow-s-warning/)

[Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-elizabeth-prescott-spofford/)

> [The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-way-teale/the-world-s-favorite-season-is-the-spring-all-things-seem-possible-in/)

[Edwin Way Teale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-way-teale/)

> [Well-apparel'd April on the heel Of limping Winter treads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/well-apparel-d-april-on-the-heel-of-limping-winter-treads/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Now the noisy winds are still; April's coming up the hill! All the spring is in her train, Led by shining ranks of rain;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mapes-dodge/now-the-noisy-winds-are-still-april-s-coming-up-the-hill-all-the/)

[Mary Mapes Dodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mapes-dodge/)

[Browse all 41 April and spring quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/april-and-spring/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd dove; In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alfred Lord Tennyson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on-the-burnish-d-dove-in-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "April and spring"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on-the-burnish-d-dove-in-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_april-and-spring_in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on_593975.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_april-and-spring_in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on_593975.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/alfred-lord-tennyson-521_april-and-spring_in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on_593975.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In the Spring a livelier iris changes on the burnish'd dove; In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns…” — Alfred Lord Tennyson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alfred Lord Tennyson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In the Spring a livelier iris...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on-the-burnish-d-dove-in-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/in-the-spring-a-livelier-iris-changes-on-the-burnish-d-dove-in-the/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```