Historical Literature on Humanity Against Cruelty to Animals, Timeline of Animal Rights History

Animal Rights History »» William Wordsworth

1798 | Lines Written in Early Spring

The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:—
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.
(William Wordsworth, Lines Written in Early Spring [1798])

1800 | Hart-Leap Fall

Grey-headed Shepherd, thou hast spoken well;
Small difference lies between thy creed and mine:
This Beast not unobserved by Nature fell;
His death was mourned by sympathy divine.

The Being, that is in the clouds and air,
That is in the green leaves among the groves,
Maintains a deep and reverential care
For the unoffending creatures whom he loves.

One lesson, Shepherd, let us two divide,
Taught both by what she shows, and what conceals;
Never to blend our pleasure or our pride
With sorrow of the meanest thing that feels.
(William Wordsworth, Heart-Leap Fall [1800])

1806 | The Robin Redbreast Chasing the Butterfly

ART thou the bird whom Man loves best,
The pious bird with the scarlet breast,
Our little English Robin;

…The bird, that by some name or other
All men who know thee call their brother,
The darling of children and men?
(William Wordsworth, The Robin Redbreast Chasing the Butterfly [1806])

Links to the Primary Source
document the authenticity of quotations while providing more in-depth insight into the ideologies of humanity against cruelty to animals and additional historical perspective on the continuing struggle for animal rights, animal welfare and the protection of animals.

Reflected in many of Wordsworth's poems is his sympathy towards animals. These, as well as the excerpt above can be found in
William Wordsworth, The Complete Poetical Works (London, 1888; Online at Bartleby, 1999).

Quotes briefly introduce animal rights activists, animal welfare advocates and authors; the history of animal rights, animal welfare and animal protection; and the literature of the humane movement against cruelty to animals.

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