This is an analysis of the poem The First Swallow that begins with:

The gorse is yellow on the heath,
The banks with speedwell flowers are gay,... 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: abaab cdccd ebeeb
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 5,5,5,
  • Closest metre: iambic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: rondeau
  • Metre: 01010101 010101011 01110101 01110101 010101 010101001 01011111 11111101 11010101 110111 11010001 01111101 11111101 110010101 101101
  • Amount of stanzas: 3
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 169
  • Average number of words per stanza: 31
  • Amount of lines: 15
  • Average number of symbols per line: 33 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

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

  • summary of The First Swallow;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Charlotte Smith