Analysis of Davis Matlock

Edgar Lee Masters 1868 (Garnett) – 1950 (Elkins Park)



Suppose it is nothing but the hive:
That there are drones and workers
And queens, and nothing but storing honey --
(Material things as well as culture and wisdom) --
For the next generation, this generation never living,
Except as it swarms in the sun-light of youth,
Strengthening its wings on what has been gathered,
And tasting, on the way to the hive
From the clover field, the delicate spoil.
Suppose all this, and suppose the truth:
That the nature of man is greater
Than nature's need in the hive;
And you must bear the burden of life,
As well as the urge from your spirit's excess --
Well, I say to live it out like a god
Sure of immortal life, though you are in doubt,
Is the way to live it.
If that doesn't make God proud of you,
Then God is nothing but gravitation,
Or sleep is the golden goal.


Scheme ABCDEFGAHFIAJKLMNOPQ
Poetic Form Tetractys  (20%)
Etheree  (20%)
Metre 011110101 1111010 0101011010 0100111110010 10101010101010 01111001111 10011111110 010101101 1010101001 011100101 101011110 1101001 011101011 1110111101 1111111101 11010111101 101111 111011111 111101010 1110101
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 794
Words 155
Sentences 4
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 20
Lines Amount 20
Letters per line (avg) 31
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 621
Words per stanza (avg) 153
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

47 sec read
49

Edgar Lee Masters

Edgar Lee Masters was an American poet, biographer, and dramatist. more…

All Edgar Lee Masters poems | Edgar Lee Masters Books

2 fans

Discuss this Edgar Lee Masters poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Davis Matlock" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/8541/davis-matlock>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    April 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    2
    days
    10
    hours
    48
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    How many syllables an Iambic Pentameter line must have?
    A 20
    B 10
    C 3
    D 12