ime. They were said to personify his emotions such as pity, fear, etc. His odes reflect nature in the title sometimes, like Ode to an Evening. Collins is referring to a farmer or a sheepherder that has finished the day and is now ready to rest before the next day. He is also making some kind of a plea to nature. He is saying that he wants to learn from nature “Now teach me, maid composed, to breate some softened strain,” this draws more of connection to nature and humanity. The speaker sounds like he is asking nature to teach him. He says he loves when the morning star comes around again to start the work day over again “Thy genial loved return! For when thy folding-star arising shows his paly circlet, at his warning lamp.” This line shows that he relies on nature to tell him when to herd the sheep before it gets to late in the day. He seems to like the early morning before the sun really gets up there because he says that he wants the star to wake him early so he can see “the freshening dew” and the pensive Pleasures sweet.” He is making his connection to nature here because he is saying that without nature he would not get up on time to tend to the sheep. He would also miss the scents and sights of early morning in nature before the sun gets hot. He make another plea that when he can’t work “be mine the hut that from the mountain’s side views wild, and swelling floods, and hamlets brown, and dim-discovered spires” because he still wants to experience nature at all times. Even if he can’t be outside in it he wants to at least be able to witness it. He is begging here for nature to allow him to see it everyday. He asks that throughout all the seasons he will be able to survive “shall fancy, friendship, science, rose-lopped health, they gentlest influence own, and hymn favorite name! ...
