A Flock of Sheep (Poem by Duncan Campbell Scott)

A Flock of Sheep

To C. G. D. R.

By Duncan Campbell Scott

Over the field the bright air clings and tingles,

    In the gold sunset while the red wind swoops;

Upon the nibbled knolls and from the dingles,

    The sheep are gathering in frightened groups.

From the wide field the laggards bleat and follow,

    A drover hurls his cry and hooting laugh;

And one young swain, too glad to whoop or hollo,

    Is singing wildly as he whirls his staff.

Now crowding into little groups and eddies

    They swirl about and charge and try to pass;

The sheep-dog yelps and heads them off and steadies

    And rounds and moulds them in a seething mass.

They stand a moment with their heads uplifted

    Till the wise dog barks loudly on the flank,

They all at once roll over and are drifted

    Down the small hill toward the river bank.

Covered with rusty marks and purple blotches

    Around the fallen bars they flow and leap;

The wary dog stands by and keenly watches

    As if he knew the name of every sheep.

Now down the road the nimble sound decreases,

    The drovers cry, the dog delays and whines,

And now with twinkling feet and glimmering fleeces

    They round and vanish past the dusky pines.

The drove is gone, the ruddy wind grows colder,

    The singing youth puts up the heavy bars,

Beyond the pines he sees the crimson smoulder,

    And catches in his eyes the early stars.

Poem Analysis:

Duncan Campbell Scott's poem "A Flock of Sheep" offers a vivid and immersive depiction of a pastoral scene, transporting readers to the tranquil beauty of the countryside. Through evocative imagery and rhythmic language, Scott captures the essence of rural life while exploring themes of movement, community, and the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals. Let's delve deeper into the layers of meaning embedded within this enchanting poem.

Setting the Scene: Scott begins by painting a vibrant picture of the landscape, using sensory details to evoke the sights and sounds of the countryside. The "bright air" tingles with anticipation, and the "gold sunset" bathes the scene in a warm glow, creating a serene and idyllic atmosphere.

The Gathering of the Flock: As the poem unfolds, we witness the lively chaos of the sheep gathering in the field. Scott captures the frenetic energy of the moment as the sheep swirl about in "frightened groups," responding to the calls and gestures of the drover and the sheepdog. The imagery of the sheep charging, swirling, and being molded into a "seething mass" conveys a sense of movement and urgency.

The Role of the Sheepdog: Central to the poem is the figure of the sheepdog, whose keen intelligence and instinctual understanding of the flock's behavior are portrayed with admiration and respect. The dog's watchful presence and decisive actions serve as a metaphor for guidance and protection, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between humans and animals in agricultural settings.

The Passing of the Drove: As the flock is guided down the road and past the dusky pines, there is a sense of transient beauty and fleetingness. The imagery of the sheep's "nimble sound" and "glimmering fleeces" conveys a sense of movement and grace, while the fading echoes of the drover's cry evoke a feeling of melancholy and nostalgia.

Reflection and Contemplation: In the final stanza, the poem takes on a reflective tone as the singing youth puts up the heavy bars and gazes beyond the pines at the crimson smolder of the sunset and the early stars. This moment of quiet contemplation invites readers to pause and appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the natural world, while also hinting at the cyclical nature of rural life and the passage of time.

In conclusion, "A Flock of Sheep" by Duncan Campbell Scott is a lyrical and evocative exploration of rural life and the timeless rhythms of nature. Through its vivid imagery and meditative tone, the poem transports readers to a pastoral landscape where human and animal lives intertwine in a delicate dance of harmony and mutual dependence.