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

England! where the sacred flame
Burns before the inmost shrine,... 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: ababccdD efefggdD cacadddD efefdXdd
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 8,8,8,8,
  • Closest metre: iambic trimeter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1010101 1010101 1011111 1011111 1010011 1111101 1011101 1110101 1110101 1110101 1110101 1110101 1011101 1000101 1011101 1110101 1010101 1011101 1010101 1011101 1001001 1110101 1011101 1110101 1111101 1010101 1010101 1010101 11100111 1011111 1101101 1110101
  • Amount of stanzas: 4
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 253
  • Average number of words per stanza: 45
  • Amount of lines: 32
  • Average number of symbols per line: 31 (strings are less long than medium ones)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    There are many exclamation marks in the poem. The speaker is excited. He or she has strong feelings on the subject that is described in the poem.

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

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

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Sir Henry Newbolt