The form chosen by Coleridge for his production, that of the mediaeval
ballad, is peculiarly adapted to story-telling on account of the
freedom which it allows, and it has never been more artistically used
than in this instance. In harmony with the ballad form the poet uses
certain old words, such as "trow," "wist," and "countree." It will be
seen that the stanzas vary in length, and that there are occasional
irregularities in metre. In general the first and third lines of a
stanza have four feet each, while the second and fourth lines have
three feet. Only the second and fourth lines rhyme, unless the stanza
consists of more than four lines.
[1.] Next of kin, nearest relative.
[2.] Quoth, said.
[3.] Loon, worthless fellow.
[4.] Eftsoons, at once, immediately; a favorite word with the poet
Spenser.
[5.] And listens, etc. Wordsworth wrote this line and the line
following.
[6.] Kirk, church.
[7.] The Sun came up upon the left. This would be the case if a vessel
were going from England, for instance, toward the equator; and each day
the sun would be more nearly overhead.
[8.] And now there came both mist and snow. They were nearing the
south pole.
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