# The Shepherd of Nymphs explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr..

## What happens

A shepherd entrusted with guarding the nymphs' flock falls asleep, causing the nymphs to panic as their sheep stray. They call out for him to wake and resume his duty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Duty and Patriotism

The shepherd's duty to guard the flock is central; his failure to stay awake leads to the flock straying, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and responsibility.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator describes the shepherd and the nymphs' actions.

## Key lines

> The nymphs a shepherd took To guard their snowy sheep; He led them down along the brook, And guided them with pipe and crook, Until he fell asleep.

The nymphs hired a shepherd to watch their white sheep. He led them by the stream, playing his pipe and using his staff, but then he fell asleep.

_Describes the shepherd's initial care and subsequent negligence._

> But when the piping stayed, Across the flowery mead The milk-white nymphs ran out afraid: O Thyrsis, wake! Your flock has strayed⁠— The nymphs a shepherd need.

When the music stopped, the frightened nymphs ran across the meadow and cried out for Thyrsis to wake up because the sheep had wandered off and they still needed a shepherd.

_The nymphs' alarm and plea for the shepherd to resume his role._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-shepherd-of-nymphs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters