Analysis of IV. The Dead

Rupert Brooke 1887 (Rugby) – 1915 (Aegean Sea)




These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,
 Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth.
The years had given them kindness.  Dawn was theirs,
 And sunset, and the colours of the earth.
These had seen movement, and heard music; known
 Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended;
Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone;
 Touched flowers and furs and cheeks.  All this is ended.

There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter
And lit by the rich skies, all day.  And after,
 Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance
And wandering loveliness.  He leaves a white
 Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.


Scheme ABABCDCD EEXDXD
Poetic Form
Metre 11010110101 11110111 01110110111 01001101 1111001101 1001011101 1011110101 110010111110 111011101110 01101111010 1101010111 010011101 01010010100 0101011001
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 666
Words 116
Sentences 9
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 8, 6
Lines Amount 14
Letters per line (avg) 37
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 261
Words per stanza (avg) 59
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

34 sec read
173

Rupert Brooke

Rupert Chawner Brooke was an English poet known for his idealistic war sonnets written during the First World War, especially "The Soldier". more…

All Rupert Brooke poems | Rupert Brooke Books

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