“The Rainbow” by James Thomson (1735)

James Thomson was an 18th-century Scottish poet. This poem alludes to Sir Isaac Newton’s book Optics (1704), which explains the science of rainbows. (Wordsworth was also aware of Newton’s work on the topic.) According to this poem, those who understand Newton’s theory can better appreciate that “grand ethereal bow” (Line 8). A young boy, however, knows nothing of Newton and (like the speaker in “My Heart Leaps Up”) just feels delight in the rainbow as an aesthetic natural object; he runs to catch it and is then amazed when the rainbow vanishes.

“Nutting” by William Wordsworth (1800)

This poem appeared in the second edition of Lyrical Ballads. Like the first two books of The Prelude, for which it was originally intended, it describes Wordsworth’s experience in nature as a young boy. He makes his way into the woods, feeling great delight as he sits beneath the trees and plays with flowers. His “sudden happiness” (Line 29) is similar to the joy the rainbow inspires in “My Heart Leaps Up.” The moment is perfect until, in a disruptive mood, he grabs some branches in this peaceful spot and drags them down, spoiling the order and quiet of the place.