This is an analysis of the poem Xii: An Epitaph that begins with:

Stay, if you list, O passer by the way;
Yet night approaches; better not to stay.... full text

Elements of the verse: questions and answers

The information we provided is prepared by means of a special computer program. Use the criteria sheet to understand greatest poems or improve your poetry analysis essay.

  • Rhyme scheme: aabbcc
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 6,
  • Closest metre: iambic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: couplets
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: heroic couplets
  • Metre: 1011110101 1101010101 1101111101 1101111111 1011110101 1011010111
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 259
  • Average number of words per stanza: 51
  • Amount of lines: 6
  • Average number of symbols per line: 42 (strings are more long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 9
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; nor is repeated.

If you write a school or university poetry essay, you should Include in your explanation of the poem:

  • summary of Xii: An Epitaph;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Alfred Edward Housman