A course of modern english lexicology

6. POETIC STYLISTIC DEVICES

1) State the types of feet in the following poems (iambus, trochee, dactyl, amphibrach, and anapest)
My feet took a walk in the heavenly grass,
All day while the sky shone clear as glass.
My feet took a walk in the heavenly grass,
All night while the lonesome star rolled past.
(From “Heavenly Grass” by Tennessee Williams)
I love to see the big while moon
A-shining in the sky;
I love to see the little stars,
When shadow clouds go by.
I love the raindrops falling
On my rooftop in the night;
I love the soft wind sighing,
Before the dawn’s gray light.
(From “My Loves” by Langston Hughes)
When we two parted in silence and tears,
Half broken-hearted to sever for years,
Pale grew thy cheek and cold, colder thy kiss;
Truly that hour foretold sorrow to this.
(From “When We Two Parted” by Lord Byron)
My heart leaps up when I behold
A rainbow in the sky:
So was it when my life began;
So is it now I am a man;
So be it when I shall grow old,
Or let me die!
The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my day to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
(From “The Rainbow” by William Wordsworth)
Echo, daughter of the air,
Babbling guest of rocks and hills,
Knows the name of my fierce Fair,
Sounds the accents of my ills.
Each thing pities my despair,
Whilst that She her lover kills.
(From “An Ode” by Samuel Daniel)
Oh the singing, singing, singing!
Callow hopes that thrill my breast!
Can the lark of love be winging
Back to its abandoned nest?
(From “All my Heart is Stirring Lightly” by Mathilde Blind)


2) Choose three of the poems and learn them by heart

7. TO BE OR NOT TO BE …