Stanza – 1 

I come from haunts of coot and hern,
I make a sudden sally
And sparkle out among the fern,
To bicker down a valley.

Line-by-Line Explanation

• “I come from haunts of coot and hern,”
  The brook (a small stream) is personified and speaks in the first person, describing its origin. “Haunts” here means places frequently visited or inhabited. “Coot” and “hern” (heron) are water birds, so the brook says it starts from quiet, natural places where these birds live—likely a secluded, marshy area in the hills or woods.

• “I make a sudden sally”
  The brook describes how it emerges quickly from its source. “Sally” means a sudden rush or movement. This suggests the brook bursts forth energetically, perhaps from a spring or hillside, starting its journey with liveliness.

• “And sparkle out among the fern,”
  As the brook flows out, it passes through areas where ferns grow. The sunlight reflects off its clear water, making it sparkle. This line creates a vivid visual image of the brook glinting as it winds through lush, green vegetation.

• “To bicker down a valley.”
  “Bicker” means to move with a noisy, bubbling sound. The brook flows down into a valley, making cheerful, lively noises as it goes. The word “bicker” also uses onomatopoeia to imitate the sound of water splashing over stones and through narrow channels.

Poetic Devices From Brook The Poem

• Personification:
  The brook is given human qualities and speaks in the first person, describing its actions and experiences as if it were alive—“I come,” “I make a sudden sally,” “I sparkle,” and “I bicker.” This device makes the brook relatable and vivid to the reader13.

• Alliteration:
  The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words is present in “haunts of coot and hern” (the ‘h’ sound) and “sudden sally” (the ‘s’ sound). Alliteration enhances the musical quality of the poem and draws attention to key images13.

• Imagery:
  The stanza is rich in visual imagery: “haunts of coot and hern” evokes a marshy, bird-filled landscape; “sparkle out among the fern” paints a picture of sunlight glinting on water; “bicker down a valley” suggests lively, noisy movement. These images appeal to the reader’s senses and help visualize the brook’s journey13.

• Onomatopoeia:
  The word “bicker” imitates the sound of the brook as it moves noisily over stones, enhancing the auditory experience of the poem1.

• Metaphor (Extended):
  The entire poem, including this stanza, serves as an extended metaphor for the journey of life, with the brook’s progress symbolizing the passage from birth to death and the continuity of nature3.

Summary in short

In this first stanza, Alfred Lord Tennyson uses personification to let the brook narrate its own story. The brook describes its origin in wild, natural places frequented by water birds. It emerges with energy and brightness, sparkling as it passes through ferns, and then chatters noisily as it descends into a valley. The imagery evokes a sense of freshness, movement, and the beauty of nature, setting the tone for the brook’s ongoing journey through the landscape.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza – 2

By thirty hills I hurry down,
Or slip between the ridges,
By twenty thorpes, a little town,
And half a hundred bridges.

Line-by-Line Explanation

• “By thirty hills I hurry down,”
  The brook continues describing its journey, emphasizing the number of hills it passes—thirty. The word “hurry” suggests the brook flows quickly and energetically, racing downhill through a hilly landscape. This conveys the dynamic movement of the water as it navigates natural obstacles.

• “Or slip between the ridges,”
  Here, the brook’s path is described as slipping or sliding smoothly between ridges, which are long, narrow hills. The word “slip” suggests a gentle, graceful flow, contrasting with the previous “hurry.” This shows that the brook’s movement varies depending on the terrain—sometimes fast, sometimes smooth.

• “By twenty thorpes, a little town,”
  “Thorpes” is an old English word meaning small villages or hamlets. The brook flows past twenty such small settlements and also a “little town.” This line indicates that the brook is not only a feature of the wild landscape but also passes through human-inhabited areas, connecting nature and civilization.

• “And half a hundred bridges.”
  The brook flows under about fifty bridges, showing how human infrastructure interacts with the natural watercourse. Bridges symbolize human presence and the need to cross or span the brook, highlighting its importance in the landscape.

Poetic Devices From Brook The Poem

• Alliteration:
  The repetition of initial consonant sounds is present in phrases like “hurry down,” “thirty hills,” “twenty thorpes,” and “half a hundred.” This device creates musicality and rhythm in the stanza, enhancing the flow and liveliness of the brook’s journey.

• Imagery:
  Vivid descriptions such as “thirty hills,” “ridges,” “twenty thorpes,” “a little town,” and “half a hundred bridges” help the reader visualize the landscape through which the brook flows. This appeals to the senses and paints a detailed picture of the brook’s path1.

• Personification:
  The brook is personified throughout the poem, speaking in the first person (“I hurry down,” “I slip between the ridges”). This gives the brook human-like qualities and makes its journey relatable and engaging.

• Repetition:
  The structure “By thirty hills… By twenty thorpes…” uses repetition of the word “by” to emphasize the brook’s extensive and varied journey through the countryside1.

• Rhyme Scheme:
  The stanza follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, contributing to the poem’s musical quality and regular rhythm.

Summary of the Brook Poem

In this stanza, the brook narrates its journey through a varied landscape, moving past many hills and ridges, as well as numerous small villages and a town. The mention of “thirty hills,” “twenty thorpes,” and “half a hundred bridges” gives a sense of scale and richness to the brook’s path. The imagery blends natural features with human settlements, illustrating how the brook connects different parts of the countryside. The movement of the brook alternates between hurrying and slipping, showing its adaptable and lively nature. This stanza deepens the reader’s understanding of the brook’s extensive and varied journey.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza – 3

Till last by Philip’s farm I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.

Line-by-Line Explanation

• “Till last by Philip’s farm I flow”
  The brook describes the final stage of its journey before merging with a larger river. It specifically mentions passing by “Philip’s farm,” which adds a personal, human touch to the landscape. The mention of a named farm suggests the brook is familiar with its surroundings and the people living there, furthering the poem’s use of personification.

• “To join the brimming river,”
  Here, the brook reaches its destination: it merges with a “brimming” (full, overflowing) river. This line marks the culmination of the brook’s journey from its source through hills, ridges, villages, and towns, symbolizing the transition from a small, individual stream to a greater, collective body of water.

• “For men may come and men may go,”
  This line introduces a philosophical reflection. The brook observes that human beings—generations of people—are transient. They are born, live, and die; their presence is temporary. The use of “men” here refers broadly to humanity, emphasizing the fleeting nature of individual lives.

• “But I go on for ever.”
  In contrast to the mortality of humans, the brook asserts its own continuity and immortality. While people come and go, the brook’s flow is eternal. This refrain, repeated throughout the poem, highlights the central theme: the enduring, perpetual nature of the brook (and by extension, nature itself), compared to the ephemeral existence of humans15.

Literary Devices and Deeper Meaning

• Personification:
  The brook is given human qualities, narrating its journey and expressing awareness of its surroundings and the passage of time.

• Alliteration:
  The line “by Philip’s farm I flow” uses the repeated “f” sound to mimic the smooth, continuous movement of water, reinforcing the brook’s unbroken journey and the poem’s musical rhythm.

• Symbolism:
  The brook’s journey represents the cycle of life, while its merging with the river can symbolize the soul’s union with something greater or the individual’s place in the larger flow of existence. The refrain contrasts the immortality of nature with human mortality, suggesting themes of perseverance, change, and the eternal versus the temporary.

Summary of the Stanza’s Meaning

Stanza three marks the brook’s arrival at its destination, flowing past Philip’s farm to join a larger river. It then reflects on the transience of human life—people are born and die, but the brook’s journey is unending. This stanza powerfully encapsulates the poem’s central message: while human life is fleeting, nature’s cycles endure forever, offering a sense of continuity and immortality that outlasts generations.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza – 4

I chatter over stony ways,
In little sharps and trebles,
I bubble into eddying bays,
I babble on the pebbles.

Line-by-Line Explanation

• “I chatter over stony ways,”
  The brook describes the sound it makes as it flows over a rocky bed. The word “chatter” personifies the brook, suggesting a lively, continuous, and somewhat noisy conversation-like sound. The “stony ways” refers to the rocky paths or channels through which the water moves, emphasizing the rough terrain that shapes the brook’s sound.

• “In little sharps and trebles,”
  This line uses musical terminology to describe the brook’s sounds. “Sharps and trebles” refer to high-pitched musical notes. The brook’s bubbling and splashing create a natural melody with varying pitches, like a piece of music played in quick, bright notes. This imagery highlights the musical quality of the flowing water.

• “I bubble into eddying bays,”
  The brook continues to describe its movement, bubbling into small swirling pools or “eddying bays.” An eddy is a circular movement of water, often calm and swirling back against the main current. This suggests the brook’s flow is not just linear but dynamic and varied, with areas of calm and whirlpools adding to its lively character.

• “I babble on the pebbles.”
  The brook’s voice is again personified as it “babbles”—a softer, continuous murmuring sound—as it flows over small stones or pebbles. “Babble” evokes a gentle, soothing noise, like a quiet conversation or laughter. This line reinforces the idea of the brook as a living, expressive presence in nature.

Literary Devices and Deeper Meaning

• Onomatopoeia:
  Words like “chatter,” “bubble,” and “babble” imitate the sounds the brook makes, enhancing the sensory experience for the reader.

• Personification:
  The brook is given human-like qualities, such as the ability to “chatter” and “babble,” making it seem lively and communicative.

• Musical Imagery:
  The use of musical terms (“sharps and trebles”) paints the brook’s flow as a natural symphony, emphasizing the beauty and harmony of nature.

Summary of the Stanza’s Meaning

In this stanza, the brook vividly describes the sounds it makes as it flows over stones and through swirling pools. The imagery of “chatter,” “bubble,” and “babble,” combined with musical references, creates a lively, joyful picture of the brook’s movement and sound. This stanza celebrates the brook’s energetic and playful character, inviting the reader to hear the natural music created by flowing water. It reinforces the theme of the brook as a living, enduring force of nature, full of life and sound.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza – 5

With many a curve my banks I fret
By many a field and fallow,
And many a fairy foreland set
With willow-weed and mallow.

Stanza Five Line by Line Explanation

• “With many a curve my banks I fret”
  The brook describes how it winds and twists (“many a curve”) along its banks. The word “fret” here means to wear away or to shape by constant movement, suggesting the brook’s flowing water gently erodes the land, shaping its banks over time. This portrays the brook as an active, shaping force in the landscape.

• “By many a field and fallow,”
  The brook flows past numerous fields—cultivated lands—and fallow lands, which are left unplanted to regain fertility. This indicates the brook’s presence in both productive and resting agricultural areas, emphasizing its integration into rural life and the natural cycle of farming.

• “And many a fairy foreland set”
  A “foreland” is a piece of land projecting into water. Calling it a “fairy foreland” adds a magical, enchanting quality to the scene, suggesting the land beside the brook is delicate, beautiful, and perhaps mystical. This evokes a sense of wonder and natural charm.

• “With willow-weed and mallow.”
  The brook’s banks are adorned with willow-weed (a type of plant that grows near water) and mallow (a flowering plant). These details enrich the imagery, showing the lush, diverse vegetation that thrives along the brook, enhancing the idyllic and vibrant natural setting.

Poetic Devices

• Alliteration:
  The repetition of the “f” sound in “fret,” “field,” and “fallow” creates musicality and draws attention to the natural elements described.

• Personification:
  The brook is personified, speaking in the first person and describing its actions as if it were alive (“my banks I fret”).

• Imagery:
  Vivid descriptions such as “curve,” “field and fallow,” “fairy foreland,” and “willow-weed and mallow” appeal to the senses and create a picturesque scene.

• Metaphor:
  The “fairy foreland” metaphorically suggests that the land is magical or otherworldly, enhancing the enchanting quality of the landscape.

Summary

In this stanza, the brook describes its winding path, constantly shaping its banks as it moves through fields and fallow lands. It passes by enchanting, plant-filled headlands, highlighting the beauty and richness of the countryside. Through personification and vivid imagery, Tennyson emphasizes the brook’s dynamic, life-giving presence in nature, reinforcing the poem’s theme of the eternal flow of nature versus the temporary existence of humans.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza – 6

I chatter, chatter, as I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.

Stanza Six Explanation

• “I chatter, chatter, as I flow”
  The repetition of “chatter” emphasizes the continuous, lively sound of the brook as it moves. It reinforces the brook’s personification and its joyful, persistent presence in the landscape.

• “To join the brimming river,”
  The brook reiterates its destination—the larger river it eventually joins. The word “brimming” suggests the river is full and abundant, symbolizing the culmination of the brook’s journey.

• “For men may come and men may go,”
  This line reflects on the transient nature of human life. People are born and die, generations pass, but their presence is temporary compared to the natural world.

• “But I go on for ever.”
  The brook contrasts its own eternal, unceasing flow with human mortality. This refrain, repeated throughout the poem, highlights the enduring power of nature and the continuous cycle of life, suggesting a timelessness that transcends human existence.

Poetic Devices

• Repetition:
  The word “chatter” is repeated to imitate the sound of the brook and to create a rhythmic, musical effect.

• Personification:
  The brook speaks as a living entity, capable of making sounds and reflecting on human life.

• Contrast:
  The stanza contrasts the temporary nature of human life (“men may come and men may go”) with the brook’s eternal continuity (“I go on for ever”).

• Imagery:
  “Brimming river” evokes a vivid image of a full, flowing river, symbolizing abundance and the natural cycle.

• Rhyme Scheme:
  The stanza follows an ABAB rhyme pattern (“flow/river/go/ever”), contributing to the poem’s musicality.

Summary of Stanzas Five and Six

These stanzas deepen the imagery of the brook’s journey, highlighting its winding path through fields and fallow lands, and the enchanting, plant-filled banks it nurtures. The brook’s movement is described as shaping and fretting its banks, showing its active role in the landscape. The sixth stanza returns to the central theme of the poem: the brook’s eternal flow contrasts with human transience. The repetition of the refrain underscores the timeless, persistent nature of the brook and, symbolically, of nature itself, offering a comforting reflection on continuity amid change.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza – 7

I wind about, and in and out,
With here a blossom sailing,
And here and there a lusty trout,
And here and there a grayling,

Stanza Seven Line by Line Explanation

• “I wind about, and in and out,”
  The brook describes its meandering course, twisting and turning as it flows. The repetition of “in and out” emphasizes the fluid, unpredictable path of the water, suggesting a lively and dynamic movement.

• “With here a blossom sailing,”
  A flower petal or blossom floats gently on the surface of the water, carried along by the current. This image adds a delicate, peaceful touch to the scene, showing the brook as a gentle carrier of life and beauty.

• “And here and there a lusty trout,”
  The brook is home to “lusty” (healthy, vigorous) trout. This highlights the brook’s role as a habitat for lively aquatic life, emphasizing its vitality and ecological richness.

• “And here and there a grayling,”
  Similarly, the brook supports grayling fish, another species that thrives in clean, flowing water. The presence of these fish further illustrates the brook’s purity and its importance as a natural ecosystem.

Poetic Devices

• Internal Rhyme:
  The phrase “I wind about, and in and out” uses internal rhyme with “about” and “out,” giving the line a musical, flowing quality that mirrors the brook’s movement.

• Imagery:
  The stanza is rich in visual imagery—winding water, blossoms floating, and fish swimming—helping readers picture the lively, natural scene.

• Repetition:
  The phrase “here and there” is repeated, emphasizing the scattered, abundant presence of life along the brook’s course.

• Personification:
  The brook speaks in the first person (“I wind about”), giving it human-like agency and making its journey relatable.

• Alliteration:
  The repetition of the “h” sound in “here a blossom,” “here and there,” and “lusty trout” adds a gentle musicality to the stanza.

Summary

In this stanza, the brook describes its winding, twisting journey through the countryside. Along the way, it carries blossoms and provides a home to lively fish like trout and grayling. The vivid imagery and personification bring the brook to life, while the internal rhyme and repetition give the stanza a rhythmic, flowing feel. This part of the poem highlights the brook’s nurturing role in nature and its continuous, ever-changing movement, reinforcing the theme of nature’s vitality and endurance.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza 8

And here and there a foamy flake
Upon me, as I travel
With many a silvery waterbreak
Above the golden gravel,

Stanza Eight Explanation

• “And here and there a foamy flake”
  The brook’s surface is dotted with “foamy flakes,” small patches of frothy bubbles formed by the water’s movement over rocks and falls. This detail adds texture and liveliness to the imagery, showing the continuous interaction between water and its environment.

• “Upon me, as I travel”
  The brook acknowledges these foamy flakes as part of its journey, emphasizing the constant motion and changing surface of the water.

• “With many a silvery waterbreak”
  “Waterbreak” refers to small splashes or breaks in the water’s surface caused by obstacles like stones or sudden drops. Describing them as “silvery” evokes the sparkling, shimmering effect of sunlight on the moving water, enhancing the visual beauty.

• “Above the golden gravel,”
  The brook flows over a bed of golden-colored gravel, which adds warmth and richness to the scene. The golden gravel also contributes to the sparkling effect of the water, as sunlight reflects off the stones beneath the clear stream.

Poetic Devices in the Stanza

• Imagery:
  The stanza is rich in visual imagery—“foamy flake,” “silvery waterbreak,” and “golden gravel” all create vivid pictures in the reader’s mind, appealing to the senses and enhancing the natural beauty described.

• Alliteration:
  The repetition of the “g” sound in “golden gravel” and the “f” sound in “foamy flake” adds musicality and rhythm to the stanza.

• Personification:
  The brook speaks in the first person (“upon me, as I travel”), giving it human-like qualities and making its journey relatable.

• Repetition:
  The phrase “here and there” echoes the previous stanza, emphasizing the scattered, abundant presence of natural elements along the brook’s path1.

• Metaphor:
  The “silvery waterbreak” and “golden gravel” metaphorically enhance the beauty of the brook, comparing the sparkle of water to silver and the shine of gravel to gold.

Summary of Stanzas Seven and Eight

These stanzas paint a vivid, lively picture of the brook’s winding journey through nature. The brook carries blossoms gently on its surface, supports thriving fish like trout and grayling, and is animated by foamy patches and sparkling waterbreaks. The imagery emphasizes the brook’s vitality, beauty, and role as a nurturing habitat. The detailed descriptions of water movement and aquatic life invite the reader to appreciate the dynamic, shimmering world of the brook, reinforcing its continuous, life-giving flow through the landscape.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza 9

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza 10

Summary of Stanzas Nine and Ten

Stanza nine continues the theme of the brook’s continuous journey, carrying along all it encounters to join the larger river, while contrasting the brook’s eternal flow with the fleeting nature of human life. Stanza ten shifts focus to the brook’s gentle, quiet movement through cultivated and sheltered parts of the landscape, highlighting its subtle influence on the natural beauty around it. The mention of forget-me-nots and happy lovers adds a romantic and emotional dimension, linking nature’s timelessness with human feelings of love and memory. Together, these stanzas deepen the poem’s celebration of the brook as a living, enduring presence intertwined with both nature and human experience.

Stanza 11

I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,
Among my skimming swallows;
I make the netted sunbeam dance
Against my sandy shallows.

Line-by-Line Explanation

• “I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,”
  This line uses a series of vivid verbs to describe the brook’s movement and mood:

  • Slip and slide suggest smooth, flowing motion over rocks and bends.

  • Gloom introduces a darker, shadowy aspect, possibly when the brook passes under trees or in shaded areas, adding mystery or calmness.

  • Glance implies quick, sparkling flashes of light on the water’s surface.
    Together, these verbs capture the brook’s dynamic and changing character—sometimes playful and bright, sometimes quiet and shadowed.

• “Among my skimming swallows;”
  The brook is accompanied by swallows, small birds known for their swift, graceful flight close to water surfaces. “Skimming” describes the birds flying low and fast over the brook, adding lively movement and a sense of harmony between the water and wildlife.

• “I make the netted sunbeam dance”
  The brook causes sunlight filtered through leaves or branches (“netted sunbeam”) to shimmer and flicker on the water. The word “dance” personifies the light, suggesting a lively, joyful interaction between the brook and sunlight.

• “Against my sandy shallows.”
  The brook’s shallow, sandy areas reflect and catch the dancing sunbeams. These “shallows” are the shallow parts of the brook where the water is clear and the sandy bottom is visible, enhancing the sparkling, beautiful effect of the light on the water.

Literary Devices and Deeper Meaning

• Alliteration:
  The repetition of the “s” sound in “slip,” “slide,” “skimming,” “sunbeam,” and “sandy shallows” creates a soft, flowing auditory effect that mimics the sound of moving water.

• Personification:
  The brook is given human-like qualities through the verbs “slip,” “slide,” “gloom,” and “glance,” and it “makes” the sunbeam dance, enhancing the vividness of the scene.

• Imagery:
  The stanza paints a rich visual picture of light, movement, and life interacting around the brook, evoking a peaceful, enchanting atmosphere.

Summary of the Stanza’s Meaning

In this stanza, the brook describes its smooth, flowing movement as it slips and slides through shaded and sunlit areas. It shares its space with swallows skimming over the water, adding lively motion and life. The brook also interacts beautifully with sunlight, causing filtered sunbeams to dance on its sandy shallows, creating a sparkling, magical scene. This stanza highlights the brook’s dynamic character and its harmonious relationship with nature, emphasizing the beauty and liveliness of the natural world.

Stanza 12

I murmur under moon and stars
In brambly wildernesses;
I linger by my shingly bars;
I loiter round my cresses;

Line-by-Line Explanation

• “I murmur under moon and stars”
  The brook describes its gentle, soft sound (“murmur”) as it flows at night, illuminated by the moon and stars. This line creates a tranquil, serene image, suggesting the brook’s journey continues even in darkness, unaffected by the time of day.

• “In brambly wildernesses;”
  The brook moves through wild, untamed areas filled with brambles (thorny bushes). This emphasizes the brook’s passage through both cultivated and uncultivated lands, highlighting its perseverance and adaptability as it travels through challenging, rugged terrain.

• “I linger by my shingly bars;”
  “Shingly bars” are shallow stretches of the brook where the bed is covered with small pebbles or gravel (“shingle”). The brook slows down or “lingers” in these spots, suggesting moments of calm and pause in its otherwise continuous movement.

• “I loiter round my cresses;”
  Watercress is a plant that grows in or near water. The brook “loiters” or moves slowly around these patches, further emphasizing its leisurely, meandering pace in certain places. This line adds to the imagery of a lush, thriving waterway supporting plant life along its banks.

Literary Devices and Deeper Meaning

• Personification:
  The brook is given human actions—murmuring, lingering, loitering—making its journey relatable and vivid.

• Imagery:
  The stanza uses visual and auditory images (moonlight, stars, brambles, shingly bars, cresses, murmuring sound) to evoke a peaceful, enchanting night time scene.

• Symbolism:
  The brook’s movement through wilderness and pauses by shingly bars and cresses can symbolize life’s journey, with its mix of wild challenges and tranquil moments.

Summary of the Stanza’s Meaning

In this stanza, the brook describes its night-time journey, softly murmuring under the moon and stars as it traverses wild, brambly areas. It slows down by pebbly shallows and meanders around water plants, painting a picture of both persistence and serenity. The stanza highlights the brook’s constant presence and adaptability, reinforcing the poem’s central theme of nature’s enduring, ever-flowing spirit—contrasted with the fleeting nature of human life.

The Brook Poem Line by Line Explanation

Stanza 13

And out again I curve and flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on for ever.

Line-by-Line Explanation

• “And out again I curve and flow”
  The brook continues its winding journey, curving and flowing as it moves onward. The phrase “out again” suggests a renewed, ongoing motion—after lingering or pausing, the brook resumes its lively course. This highlights the brook’s persistent, unending movement through the landscape.

• “To join the brimming river,”
  This line reiterates the brook’s ultimate destination: merging with the larger, full river. The word “brimming” evokes abundance and fullness, symbolizing the culmination of the brook’s journey and its contribution to a greater whole.

• “For men may come and men may go,”
  This familiar refrain reflects on the transient nature of human life. People are born and die; generations pass, emphasizing the impermanence of human existence.

• “But I go on for ever.”
  In contrast, the brook declares its eternal, continuous flow. This line underscores the central theme of the poem: the enduring, timeless quality of nature compared to the fleeting presence of humanity.

Literary Devices and Deeper Meaning

• Repetition:
  The refrain “For men may come and men may go, / But I go on for ever” is repeated throughout the poem, reinforcing the contrast between human mortality and nature’s permanence.

• Personification:
  The brook speaks as a living entity, describing its own journey and reflecting on life and time.

• Symbolism:
  The brook symbolizes the eternal flow of nature and time, while the “brimming river” represents a larger, collective existence or the continuity of life.

Summary of the Stanza’s Meaning

This final stanza brings the poem full circle, emphasizing the brook’s continuous, winding journey as it flows to join the larger river. The repeated refrain contrasts the fleeting lives of humans with the brook’s eternal movement, reinforcing the poem’s central message about the enduring power of nature and the passage of time. The stanza leaves the reader with a sense of continuity, resilience, and the timeless flow of life beyond human existence.

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