Analysis of Sonnet 92 [Behold that Tree, in Autumn’s dim decay]
Anna Seward 1742 (Eyam) – 1809
Behold that Tree, in Autumn’s dim decay,
Stript by the frequent, chill, and eddying Wind;
Where yet some yellow, lonely leaves we find
Lingering and trembling on the naked spray,
Twenty, perchance, for millions whirl'd away!
Emblem, alas! too just, of Humankind!
Vain Man expects longevity, design'd
For few indeed; and their protracted day
What is it worth that Wisdom does not scorn?
The blasts of Sickness, Care, and Grief appal,
That laid the Friends in dust, whose natal morn
Rose near their own;—and solemn is the call;—
Yet, like those weak, deserted leaves forlorn,
Shivering they cling to life, and fear to fall!
Scheme | ABBAABBACDCDCD |
---|---|
Poetic Form | |
Metre | 011101101 110101011 1111010111 100010010101 1001110101 100111110 1101010001 1101010101 1111110111 011101011 1101011101 1111010101 1111010101 10011110111 |
Closest metre | Iambic pentameter |
Characters | 657 |
Words | 106 |
Sentences | 5 |
Stanzas | 1 |
Stanza Lengths | 14 |
Lines Amount | 14 |
Letters per line (avg) | 35 |
Words per line (avg) | 7 |
Letters per stanza (avg) | 485 |
Words per stanza (avg) | 104 |
Font size:
Citation
Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Sonnet 92 [Behold that Tree, in Autumn’s dim decay]" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/54043/sonnet-92-%5Bbehold-that-tree%2C-in-autumn%E2%80%99s-dim-decay%5D>.
Discuss this Anna Seward poem analysis with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In