This is an analysis of the poem Songs Set To Music: 12. Set By Mr. Smith that begins with:

Since my words, though ne'er so tender,
With sincerest truth express'd,... 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: abab acac acac dede
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 4,4,4,4,
  • Closest metre: trochaic tetrameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 11111110 0100101 10111010 1111111 101001010 1011111 111010010 1110101 111001110 1110101 11101010 1011101 11110010 1011101 1001101010 1000101
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 134
  • Average number of words per stanza: 23
  • Amount of lines: 16
  • 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.

  • The author used lexical repetitions to emphasize a significant image; what is repeated.

    The poet used anaphora at the beginnings of some neighboring lines. The same words what, tell are repeated.

    The literary device anadiplosis is detected in two or more neighboring lines. The word/phrase do connects the lines.

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

  • summary of Songs Set To Music: 12. Set By Mr. Smith;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Matthew Prior