Reference no: EM133302968

Assignment: In 1941, Walter de la Mare published this quatrain in an American magazine.

The Stone

Folded hands and darkened eyes-

Here one loved too well now lies;

What her name was, Stone, declare;

Thou coulds't not say how fair!

When he included it in a book of poems nine years later, it was very different.

Slim Cunning Hands

Slim cunning hands at rest, and cozening eyes-

Under this stone one loved too wildly lies;

How false she was, no granite could declare;

Nor all earth's flowers, how fair.

Question: An American poet laureate, Howard Nemerov, said in a radio interview that he found the new version so moving that he could not read it without tears. What exactly has de la Mare done, line by line, almost word by word, that made such a difference in a poem originally rather dull? Be sure to include specific words and lines to explain your response.