The Wild Swans at Coole
THE trees are in their autumn beauty,
The woodland paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones
Are nine-and-fifty Swans.
The nineteenth autumn has come upon me
Since I first made my count;
I saw, before I had well finished,
All suddenly mount
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings
Upon their clamorous wings.
I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,
And now my heart is sore.
All’s changed since I, hearing at twilight,
The first time on this shore,
The bell-beat of their wings above my head,
Trod with a lighter tread.
Unwearied still, lover by lover,
They paddle in the cold
Companionable streams or climb the air;
Their hearts have not grown old;
Passion or conquest, wander where they will,
Attend upon them still.
But now they drift on the still water,
Mysterious, beautiful;
Among what rushes will they build,
By what lake’s edge or pool
Delight men’s eyes when I awake some day
To find they have flown away?
Questions:
1) Choose three images that, in your opinion, convey the theme of the poem.
Use quotation to support your answer.
2) How does Yeats describe the swans?
Use quotation to support your answer.
3) How long has Yeats observed the swans? What does this tell us about the poet?
Use quotation to support your answer.
4) What techniques does Yeats use in this poem?
Use quotation to support your answer.
5) What is your personal reaction to this poem?
