Analysis of Denner's Old Woman
William Cowper 1731 (Berkhamsted) – 1800 (Dereham)
In this mimic form of a matron in years,
How plainly the pencil of Denner appears!
The matron herself, in whose old age we see
Not a trace of decline, what a wonder is she!
No dimness of eye, and no cheek hanging low,
No wrinkle, or deep-furrow’d frown on the brow!
Her forehead indeed is here circled around
With locks like the ribbon with which they are bound;
While glossy and smooth, and as soft as the skin
Of a delicate peach, is the down of her chin;
But nothing unpleasant, or sad, or severe,
Or that indicates life in its winter—is here.
Yet all is express’d with fidelity due,
Nor a pimple or freckle conceal’d from the view.
Many fond of new sights, or who cherish a taste
For the labours of art, to the spectacle haste.
The youths all agree, that, could old age inspire
The passion of love, hers would kindle the fire,
And the matrons with pleasure confess that they see
Ridiculous nothing or hideous in thee.
The nymphs for themselves scarcely hope a decline,
O wonderful woman! as placid as thine.
Strange magic of art! which the youth can engage
To peruse, half enamour’d, the features of age;
And force from the virgin a sigh of despair,
That she when as old shall be equally fair!
How great is the glory that Denner has gain’d,
Since Apelles not more for his Venus obtain’d.
Scheme | AABBCDEEFFGHIIJJKLBBMMNNOOEE |
---|---|
Poetic Form | |
Metre | 01101101001 11001011001 01001011111 101101101011 1111011101 1101111101 01001111001 11101011111 11001011101 101001101101 11001011101 11101011011 1111101001 10101101101 101111111001 10111101001 01101111101 010110110010 001011001111 010010110001 01101101001 11001011011 11011101101 1011101011 01101001101 11111111001 11101011011 111111101 |
Closest metre | Iambic hexameter |
Characters | 1,286 |
Words | 241 |
Sentences | 13 |
Stanzas | 1 |
Stanza Lengths | 28 |
Lines Amount | 28 |
Letters per line (avg) | 36 |
Words per line (avg) | 9 |
Letters per stanza (avg) | 1,007 |
Words per stanza (avg) | 239 |
Font size:
Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 1:12 min read
- 65 Views
Citation
Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Denner's Old Woman" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 1 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/39830/denner%27s-old-woman>.
Discuss this William Cowper poem analysis with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In