Introduction: “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
“A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch first appeared in 1713 as part of her collection Miscellany Poems on Several Occasions. The poem reflects Finch’s deep appreciation for nature and her ability to intertwine its serene beauty with profound philosophical reflections. Celebrated for its vivid imagery and contemplative tone, the poem captures a tranquil night in the countryside, where the harmony of the natural world contrasts with the chaos of human life. Finch’s ability to evoke the “solemn quiet” of nature resonates with readers, making it a popular choice as a textbook poem. Its exploration of themes like the restorative power of nature, the fleeting nature of peace, and humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world ensures its relevance across generations. The poem’s enduring appeal is captured in lines such as, “When a sedate content the spirit feels, / And no fierce light disturbs, whilst it reveals;” which encapsulate the soul’s yearning for solace and clarity in the midst of life’s tumult.
Text: “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
In such a night, when every louder wind
Is to its distant cavern safe confined;
And only gentle Zephyr fans his wings,
And lonely Philomel, still waking, sings;
Or from some tree, famed for the owl’s delight,
She, hollowing clear, directs the wand’rer right:
In such a night, when passing clouds give place,
Or thinly veil the heav’ns’ mysterious face;
When in some river, overhung with green,
The waving moon and the trembling leaves are seen;
When freshened grass now bears itself upright,
And makes cool banks to pleasing rest invite,
Whence springs the woodbind, and the bramble-rose,
And where the sleepy cowslip sheltered grows;
Whilst now a paler hue the foxglove takes,
Yet checkers still with red the dusky brakes
When scatter’d glow-worms, but in twilight fine,
Shew trivial beauties, watch their hour to shine;
Whilst Salisb’ry stands the test of every light,
In perfect charms, and perfect virtue bright:
When odors, which declined repelling day,
Through temp’rate air uninterrupted stray;
When darkened groves their softest shadows wear,
And falling waters we distinctly hear;
When through the gloom more venerable shows
Some ancient fabric, awful in repose,
While sunburnt hills their swarthy looks conceal,
And swelling haycocks thicken up the vale:
When the loosed horse now, as his pasture leads,
Comes slowly grazing through th’ adjoining meads,
Whose stealing pace, and lengthened shade we fear,
Till torn-up forage in his teeth we hear:
When nibbling sheep at large pursue their food,
And unmolested kine rechew the cud;
When curlews cry beneath the village walls,
And to her straggling brood the partridge calls;
Their shortlived jubilee the creatures keep,
Which but endures, whilst tyrant man does sleep;
When a sedate content the spirit feels,
And no fierce light disturbs, whilst it reveals;
But silent musings urge the mind to seek
Something, too high for syllables to speak;
Till the free soul to a composedness charmed,
Finding the elements of rage disarmed,
O’er all below a solemn quiet grown,
Joys in th’ inferior world, and thinks it like her own:
In such a night let me abroad remain,
Till morning breaks, and all’s confused again;
Our cares, our toils, our clamors are renewed,
Or pleasures, seldom reached, again pursued.
Annotations: “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
| Line | Explanation (Simple English) | Literary Devices |
| In such a night, when every louder wind / Is to its distant cavern safe confined; | A peaceful night where strong winds are quiet and far away. | Imagery (wind in distant cavern), Personification (wind is “confined”), Alliteration (“confined cavern”). |
| And only gentle Zephyr fans his wings, | A soft breeze (Zephyr) moves gently. | Personification (Zephyr fans his wings) |
| And lonely Philomel, still waking, sings; | A nightingale (Philomel) sings through the night. | Symbolism (Philomel represents solitude), Alliteration (“still waking sings”). |
| Or from some tree, famed for the owl’s delight, | An owl hoots from its favorite tree. | Imagery (tree and owl), Personification (tree is “famed for the owl’s delight”). |
| She, hollowing clear, directs the wand’rer right: | The owl’s call guides lost travelers. | Personification (owl directing), Imagery (clear call). |
| In such a night, when passing clouds give place, | Clouds drift away, revealing the sky. | Imagery (clouds clearing) |
| Or thinly veil the heav’ns’ mysterious face; | The sky is partially hidden by thin clouds. | Personification (heavens have a “mysterious face”), Imagery (veiling). |
| When in some river, overhung with green, | A river flows beneath lush green trees. | Imagery (river and greenery). |
| The waving moon and the trembling leaves are seen; | The moon’s reflection moves in the water, and leaves shake gently. | Imagery (moon and leaves), Personification (“trembling leaves”). |
| When freshened grass now bears itself upright, | Dew revives the grass, making it stand tall. | Imagery (grass), Personification (grass “bears itself upright”). |
| And makes cool banks to pleasing rest invite, | Grass-covered riverbanks offer a cool, restful place. | Imagery (cool banks), Personification (banks “invite”). |
| Whence springs the woodbind, and the bramble-rose, | Flowers like honeysuckle and wild roses bloom here. | Imagery (flowers), Symbolism (natural growth). |
| And where the sleepy cowslip sheltered grows; | The delicate cowslip flower grows in a quiet, sheltered place. | Imagery (cowslip), Personification (“sleepy cowslip”). |
| Whilst now a paler hue the foxglove takes, | The foxglove flower changes color in the fading light. | Imagery (foxglove), Symbolism (transience), Alliteration (“paler hue”). |
| Yet checkers still with red the dusky brakes; | Foxglove flowers add spots of red to the darker bushes. | Imagery (color contrast), Alliteration (“dusky brakes”). |
| When scatter’d glow-worms, but in twilight fine, | Glow-worms shine faintly in the twilight. | Imagery (glow-worms), Alliteration (“twilight fine”), Symbolism (fleeting beauty). |
| Shew trivial beauties, watch their hour to shine; | Glow-worms, though small, shine at the right moment. | Symbolism (hidden beauty), Personification (“watch their hour”). |
| Whilst Salisb’ry stands the test of every light, | Salisbury appears majestic in all lighting. | Symbolism (Salisbury as stability), Imagery (light and Salisbury). |
| In perfect charms, and perfect virtue bright: | Salisbury is beautiful and morally upright. | Symbolism (perfection and virtue), Repetition (“perfect charms,” “perfect virtue”). |
| When odors, which declined repelling day, | Scents that were weak during the day grow stronger. | Imagery (scents), Personification (odors “declined repelling day”). |
| Through temp’rate air uninterrupted stray; | Scents drift freely in the calm night air. | Imagery (air and scents), Alliteration (“temp’rate air”). |
| When darkened groves their softest shadows wear, | Trees cast gentle, soft shadows in the dark. | Imagery (shadows), Personification (groves “wear shadows”). |
| And falling waters we distinctly hear; | The sound of flowing water becomes clear and soothing. | Imagery (sound of water), Alliteration (“falling waters”). |
| When through the gloom more venerable shows / Some ancient fabric, awful in repose, | Ancient buildings look even more majestic and dignified in the darkness. | Imagery (ancient buildings), Symbolism (timelessness of structures), Personification (“fabric” is “awful in repose”). |
| While sunburnt hills their swarthy looks conceal, | Hills darkened by sunlight blend into the shadows. | Imagery (hills), Personification (hills “conceal” themselves). |
| And swelling haycocks thicken up the vale: | Piles of hay make the valley look fuller and denser. | Imagery (hay and valley), Alliteration (“swelling haycocks”). |
| When the loosed horse now, as his pasture leads, | A horse roams freely in the fields. | Imagery (horse roaming), Symbolism (freedom). |
| Comes slowly grazing through th’ adjoining meads, | The horse grazes slowly in nearby meadows. | Imagery (grazing horse). |
| Whose stealing pace, and lengthened shade we fear, | The horse’s slow pace and shadow look eerie at night. | Imagery (shadow and motion), Personification (shadow seems “stealing”). |
| Till torn-up forage in his teeth we hear: | The sound of the horse eating grass breaks the silence. | Auditory imagery (sound of grazing). |
| When nibbling sheep at large pursue their food, | Sheep quietly graze in open fields. | Imagery (sheep grazing). |
| And unmolested kine rechew the cud; | Cows chew their food in peace. | Imagery (cows), Symbolism (peaceful life). |
| When curlews cry beneath the village walls, | Birds (curlews) call near the village. | Auditory imagery (bird cries), Symbolism (nature’s presence). |
| And to her straggling brood the partridge calls; | A partridge gathers her wandering chicks with her calls. | Symbolism (maternal care), Auditory imagery (partridge’s calls). |
| Their shortlived jubilee the creatures keep, | Animals celebrate their brief freedom while humans sleep. | Symbolism (natural life cycle), Juxtaposition (human dominance vs. nature’s freedom). |
| Which but endures, whilst tyrant man does sleep; | The animals’ peace only lasts while humans are absent. | Juxtaposition (man vs. nature), Symbolism (oppression). |
| When a sedate content the spirit feels, | A calm happiness fills the soul. | Personification (spirit “feels”), Imagery (inner peace). |
| And no fierce light disturbs, whilst it reveals; | Darkness reveals truth without harshness or disturbance. | Symbolism (light as disturbance), Contrast (darkness vs. light). |
| But silent musings urge the mind to seek / Something, too high for syllables to speak; | Quiet thoughts lead to deep, indescribable reflections. | Symbolism (ineffable truths), Enjambment (flow of thoughts between lines). |
| Till the free soul to a composedness charmed, | The soul becomes calm and free. | Personification (soul “charmed”), Imagery (peace). |
| Finding the elements of rage disarmed, | Anger and chaos are replaced with peace. | Metaphor (elements of rage as chaos), Contrast (rage vs. peace). |
| O’er all below a solemn quiet grown, | A deep quiet spreads over everything. | Symbolism (tranquility), Alliteration (“solemn quiet”). |
| Joys in th’ inferior world, and thinks it like her own: | The soul rejoices in the harmony of the world, finding it reflective of itself. | Symbolism (connection between soul and nature), Personification (“soul thinks”). |
| In such a night let me abroad remain, | The speaker wishes to stay outdoors during this serene night. | Repetition (“in such a night”), Symbolism (nature as solace). |
| Till morning breaks, and all’s confused again; | Morning brings back the chaos of daily life. | Juxtaposition (night’s calm vs. day’s chaos), Symbolism (day as confusion). |
| Our cares, our toils, our clamors are renewed, | Daytime renews work, worries, and noise. | Alliteration (“cares, toils, clamors”), Imagery (daily life struggles). |
| Or pleasures, seldom reached, again pursued. | Daytime brings fleeting and elusive pleasures. | Juxtaposition (pleasures vs. toils), Symbolism (ephemeral joys of life). |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
| Device | Example from the Poem | Explanation |
| Alliteration | “/ Something, too high for syllables to speak” | Repetition of the initial consonant sound “s” emphasizes the slow, quiet pace of the horse, creating a calming and rhythmic tone. |
| Allusion | “Philomel, still waking, sings” | Refers to Philomela, a character in Greek mythology who was transformed into a nightingale, symbolizing grief and transformation. |
| Assonance | “In such a night, when passing clouds give place” | The repetition of the vowel sound “a” creates a smooth, harmonious flow, enhancing the reflective mood. |
| Contrast | “Till morning breaks, and all’s confused again” | The calm, reflective night is contrasted with the chaotic, noisy day, highlighting the differences between nature’s tranquility and human life’s disorder. |
| Enjambment | “But silent musings urge the mind to seek / Something, too high for syllables to speak” | The line flows without pause into the next, mimicking the speaker’s uninterrupted stream of thought. |
| Imagery | “The waving moon and the trembling leaves are seen” | Vivid visual imagery depicts the moon’s reflection and the shaking leaves, immersing the reader in the peaceful night. |
| Juxtaposition | “Their shortlived jubilee the creatures keep, / Which but endures, whilst tyrant man does sleep” | Places animals’ brief joy against humanity’s oppressive dominance, emphasizing the contrast between human and natural worlds. |
| Metaphor | “Finding the elements of rage disarmed” | Chaos and anger are likened to “elements of rage,” which are subdued, symbolizing the peace found in nature. |
| Mood | “And falling waters we distinctly hear” | The calm, serene description of falling water helps establish a tranquil and contemplative mood throughout the poem. |
| Onomatopoeia | “Till torn-up forage in his teeth we hear” | The word “forage” mimics the crunching sound of the horse eating grass, adding auditory imagery. |
| Parallelism | “When odors, which declined repelling day, / Through temp’rate air uninterrupted stray” | The use of similar grammatical structures creates a sense of balance and rhythm, mirroring the harmony of the scene. |
| Personification | “Only gentle Zephyr fans his wings” | The breeze (Zephyr) is personified as if it has wings, making nature more alive and interactive. |
| Repetition | “In such a night…” | Repeated throughout the poem to emphasize the unique qualities of the night and its restorative power. |
| Rhyme | “When passing clouds give place, / Or thinly veil the heav’ns’ mysterious face” | The rhyming of “place” and “face” creates a musical quality, reinforcing the lyrical nature of the poem. |
| Simile | “Joys in th’ inferior world, and thinks it like her own” | The natural world is compared to the speaker’s soul, suggesting a deep connection between the two. |
| Symbolism | “When a sedate content the spirit feels” | The peaceful night symbolizes a restorative and harmonious state of mind, contrasting with the chaos of daily life. |
| Synecdoche | “Through temp’rate air uninterrupted stray” | The word “air” is used to represent the entire atmosphere or environment, a part standing for the whole. |
| Tone | “Till morning breaks, and all’s confused again” | The reflective and peaceful tone of the night shifts to a regretful tone as the speaker anticipates the chaos of morning. |
| Visual Imagery | “Some ancient fabric, awful in repose” | The image of an old structure resting quietly in the night is both vivid and evocative, blending tranquility with a sense of timelessness. |
| Wordplay | “Trivial beauties, watch their hour to shine” | The phrase “watch their hour to shine” plays with the literal and figurative meaning of glow-worms shining and fleeting moments of beauty. |
Themes: “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
1. The Tranquility of Nature: Anne Finch’s poem “A Nocturnal Reverie” celebrates the serene beauty of nature, portraying it as a space of peace and harmony in contrast to the chaos of human life. The speaker vividly describes a night filled with gentle winds, soothing sounds, and calming sights: “In such a night, when passing clouds give place, / Or thinly veil the heav’ns’ mysterious face.” Finch uses rich imagery to immerse the reader in a world where natural elements such as rivers, groves, and glow-worms create a calming atmosphere. This tranquil night is not just a physical experience but also a spiritual one, as the speaker’s mind and soul are soothed: “When a sedate content the spirit feels, / And no fierce light disturbs, whilst it reveals.” Nature becomes a restorative force, offering solace from the “confused” and chaotic morning to come.
2. The Connection Between Nature and the Soul: The poem “A Nocturnal Reverie” explores the deep connection between the natural world and the human spirit, suggesting that the tranquility of nature mirrors the peace sought by the soul. Finch writes, “Joys in th’ inferior world, and thinks it like her own,” illustrating how the harmony of the night aligns with the speaker’s inner peace. The soul is described as being “charmed” by the quiet, finding calmness in the disarmed “elements of rage.” Through this connection, the poem reflects the Romantic idea that nature and human emotion are intricately linked, with nature offering a sense of clarity, freedom, and introspection. The line “But silent musings urge the mind to seek / Something, too high for syllables to speak” highlights the idea that nature inspires profound thoughts that transcend human language.
3. The Ephemeral Beauty of the Night: In “A Nocturnal Reverie,” Finch captures the fleeting nature of beauty and peace in the nocturnal landscape, emphasizing its transience. The glow-worms “watch their hour to shine” and the animals “keep their shortlived jubilee” while humanity sleeps. These fleeting moments of quiet joy reflect the impermanence of nature’s harmony, which only lasts until morning when “our cares, our toils, our clamors are renewed.” This theme underscores the fragility of the natural world, which is easily disrupted by human activity. The beauty of the night is presented as rare and precious, a temporary reprieve from the demands of the day.
4. The Contrast Between Nature and Human Life: The poem “A Nocturnal Reverie” highlights the stark difference between the natural world and human existence, suggesting that nature is a place of refuge from the struggles and turmoil of daily life. The speaker laments the return of human activity at dawn, when “all’s confused again.” In contrast to the calm and restorative night, human life is characterized by “cares, toils, [and] clamors.” Finch also critiques humanity’s dominion over nature, as the animals’ peace only exists “whilst tyrant man does sleep.” This contrast serves to elevate nature as a realm of purity and simplicity, untouched by the complexities of human ambition and conflict.
Literary Theories and “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
| Literary Theory | Explanation | References from the Poem |
| Romanticism | This theory emphasizes the beauty of nature, emotion, and individual reflection. Finch’s poem embodies Romantic ideals, even though it predates the Romantic movement. | “When a sedate content the spirit feels, / And no fierce light disturbs, whilst it reveals.” The poem showcases the healing and reflective qualities of nature. |
| Eco-Criticism | Eco-criticism focuses on the relationship between humans and the natural world, critiquing human impact on nature. | “Their shortlived jubilee the creatures keep, / Which but endures, whilst tyrant man does sleep.” Highlights how animals find peace only when humans are absent. |
| Feminist Theory | Feminist readings can focus on Finch’s position as a female poet and her subtle critique of societal norms through nature’s symbolism as a refuge from patriarchal chaos. | “Joys in th’ inferior world, and thinks it like her own.” The harmony of nature reflects Finch’s own voice, which seeks a peaceful and introspective escape. |
| Pastoral Criticism | Pastoral criticism examines the idealization of rural life and the natural world as an escape from urban or societal pressures. | “In such a night, when passing clouds give place, / Or thinly veil the heav’ns’ mysterious face.” Romanticizes the night and natural scenes as restorative and ideal. |
Critical Questions about “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
1. How does Finch portray the restorative power of nature, and why is it contrasted with human life?
In “A Nocturnal Reverie,” Finch presents nature as a space of peace and restoration, offering solace from the chaos of human existence. The natural world is depicted as harmonious, with gentle winds, tranquil rivers, and serene creatures: “When a sedate content the spirit feels, / And no fierce light disturbs, whilst it reveals.” Here, the night allows the spirit to reflect without disruption, suggesting that nature holds the power to heal and inspire introspection. In contrast, the poem highlights the chaotic and laborious nature of human life, which resumes with the morning: “Our cares, our toils, our clamors are renewed.” This stark juxtaposition raises the question of whether humanity’s disconnection from nature has led to its dissatisfaction and chaos. Finch seems to suggest that by embracing the peace of the natural world, humanity could regain a sense of harmony and balance.
2. In what ways does the poem explore the theme of fleeting beauty, and how does this impact the tone of the poem?
The fleeting nature of the beauty described in “A Nocturnal Reverie” creates a bittersweet tone, as the speaker is aware of the transience of the serene night. The glow-worms that “watch their hour to shine” and the animals that “keep their shortlived jubilee” represent moments of beauty and peace that are brief and delicate. The night itself, though rich with tranquility, is temporary, as it is soon replaced by the chaos of day: “Till morning breaks, and all’s confused again.” This awareness of impermanence imbues the poem with a reflective and melancholic tone, as the speaker cherishes the fleeting serenity of the night while acknowledging its inevitable end. The question of why such peace is so transient invites readers to consider the ephemerality of beauty and whether it is appreciated precisely because it does not last.
3. How does Finch use imagery and symbolism to connect the natural world to spiritual or philosophical ideas?
Finch’s use of vivid imagery and symbolism in “A Nocturnal Reverie” elevates the natural world to a space of spiritual reflection and philosophical exploration. The imagery of “the waving moon and the trembling leaves” evokes a sense of interconnectedness between all elements of nature, while “silent musings urge the mind to seek / Something, too high for syllables to speak” reflects how nature inspires thoughts that transcend language and logic. Symbolically, the natural night represents a retreat from the distractions of human life, allowing the soul to reconnect with deeper truths. The line “Joys in th’ inferior world, and thinks it like her own” suggests that the soul finds a mirror of its inner peace in the harmony of nature. Through this connection, Finch invites readers to view the natural world as not just physical but deeply spiritual and meaningful.
4. How does Finch critique humanity’s relationship with nature in the poem?
In “A Nocturnal Reverie,” Finch subtly critiques humanity’s dominance over nature and its failure to live in harmony with it. The animals’ joy is described as lasting only as long as humans are asleep: “Their shortlived jubilee the creatures keep, / Which but endures, whilst tyrant man does sleep.” By labeling humans as “tyrant,” Finch critiques the destructive and intrusive impact of human activity on the natural world. This critique is further emphasized in the contrast between the peace of the night and the “cares, toils, [and] clamors” of morning, which symbolize the chaos and disruption humanity brings to both nature and itself. Finch’s portrayal of nature as harmonious and self-sufficient invites readers to reflect on how humanity’s actions disrupt this balance and whether a greater respect for nature could lead to a more fulfilling existence.
Literary Works Similar to “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
- “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth
Similarity: This poem, like Finch’s, reflects on the restorative and harmonious qualities of nature while contrasting it with humanity’s disruptions. - “To a Nightingale” by John Keats
Similarity: Both poems use the imagery of a nightingale as a symbol of solitude and connect the natural world with profound emotional and spiritual reflection. - “The Deserted Village” by Oliver Goldsmith
Similarity: Finch and Goldsmith both idealize the countryside, lamenting the changes brought by human interference and praising nature’s simplicity and tranquility. - “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” by Thomas Gray
Similarity: Both poems share a contemplative tone, exploring the quiet beauty of rural settings and meditating on themes of life, mortality, and the passage of time. - “A Summer Evening Churchyard” by P. B. Shelley
Similarity: Like Finch’s poem, Smith’s work captures the serene atmosphere of the evening and explores the interplay between the natural world and introspection.
Representative Quotations of “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “In such a night, when every louder wind / Is to its distant cavern safe confined” | Describes the calmness of the night, where harsh winds are subdued, emphasizing the peace of nature. | Eco-Criticism: Highlights the natural world’s ability to regulate itself in contrast to human chaos. |
| “And only gentle Zephyr fans his wings” | Refers to the soft, refreshing breeze that contributes to the tranquility of the night. | Romanticism: Personifies the wind, portraying it as a gentle and harmonious force in nature. |
| “And lonely Philomel, still waking, sings” | References the nightingale, a symbol of solitude and reflection, singing during the peaceful night. | Symbolism: The bird symbolizes natural beauty and the solitude of contemplation. |
| “When odors, which declined repelling day, / Through temp’rate air uninterrupted stray” | Describes the sweet scents of nature that emerge in the absence of the harshness of the day. | Sensory Imagery: Focuses on how nature’s subtleties, like scent, are fully appreciated in peaceful settings. |
| “When through the gloom more venerable shows / Some ancient fabric, awful in repose” | Observes how old structures gain an aura of mystery and dignity in the quiet of the night. | Aesthetic Criticism: The interplay of light and shadow in nature enhances the perception of beauty. |
| “Till the free soul to a composedness charmed” | Describes how the tranquility of the night soothes and calms the soul. | Romanticism: Connects nature’s harmony to inner spiritual peace and introspection. |
| “Their shortlived jubilee the creatures keep, / Which but endures, whilst tyrant man does sleep” | Highlights how animals only enjoy peace when humanity is absent or inactive. | Eco-Criticism: Critiques humanity’s domination and disruption of the natural world. |
| “And falling waters we distinctly hear” | Refers to the clarity of natural sounds, like water flowing, which becomes more prominent at night. | Sound Imagery: Celebrates the sensory experience of nature in the absence of human interference. |
| “But silent musings urge the mind to seek / Something, too high for syllables to speak” | Suggests that the tranquility of nature inspires deep, ineffable philosophical and spiritual thoughts. | Philosophical Perspective: Explores the ineffable and transcendent truths inspired by nature’s peace. |
| “Till morning breaks, and all’s confused again; / Our cares, our toils, our clamors are renewed” | Contrasts the peace of the night with the chaos of human life that resumes at daybreak. | Juxtaposition: Reflects the tension between nature’s harmony and the chaos of human existence. |
Suggested Readings: “A Nocturnal Reverie” by Anne Finch
- Finch, Anne. “A nocturnal reverie.” Miscellany Poems, on Several Occasions. Written by a Lady (2018): 291-3.
- Barash, Carol. “The Political Origins of Anne Finch’s Poetry.” Huntington Library Quarterly, vol. 54, no. 4, 1991, pp. 327–51. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/3817855. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
- Miller, Christopher R. “Staying out Late: Anne Finch’s Poetics of Evening.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, vol. 45, no. 3, 2005, pp. 603–23. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3844604. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
- HAMRICK, WES. “Trees in Anne Finch’s Jacobite Poems of Retreat.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, vol. 53, no. 3, 2013, pp. 541–63. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24510544. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.