Analysis of Lines from

Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1855 (Janesville) – 1919



I'd rather have my verses win
A place in common people's hearts,
Who, toiling through the strife and din
Of life's great thoroughfares, and marts,

May read some line my hand has penned;
Some simple verse, not fine, or grand,
But what their hearts can understand
And hold me henceforth as a friend,--

I'd rather win such quiet fame
Than by some fine thought, bolished so
But those of learned minds would know,
Just what the meaning of my song,--
To have the critics sound my name
In high-flown praises, loud and long.

I sing not for the critic's ear,
But for the masses. If they hear
Despite the turmoil, noise, and strife
Some least low note that gladdens life,
I shall be wholly satisfied,
Though critics to the end deride.


Scheme ABAB CDDC EFFGEG HHIIJJ
Poetic Form Etheree  (30%)
Tetractys  (20%)
Metre 11011101 01010101 11010101 1111001 11111111 11011111 1111101 01111101 11011101 1111111 1111111 11010111 11010111 01110101 11110101 11010111 0101101 1111111 1111010 11010101
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 732
Words 135
Sentences 4
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 6, 6
Lines Amount 20
Letters per line (avg) 28
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 141
Words per stanza (avg) 33
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

42 sec read
91

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American author and poet. more…

All Ella Wheeler Wilcox poems | Ella Wheeler Wilcox Books

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