CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In the first two lines, the speaker pictures his beloved as “old, and gray and full of sleep”, “nodding by the fire”, taking down and reading “this” book, which probably refers to the book that was to become The Countess Kathleen and Various Legends and Lyrics. The image evoked is of a sleepy old woman by the fire. The physical appearance of the woman is summarized by the word “gray” – her hair, eyes and skin have become lustreless and dull. The phrase “full of sleep” suggests weariness, peace and her proximity to death. |