WAEC - Literature In English (2006 - No. 28)

Read the poem and answer the question

Sleep, O sleep
With thy Rod of Incantation
Charm my Imagination,
Then, only then, I cease to weep

By thy power,
The virgin, by Time O' ertaken,
For Years forlorn, forsaken,
Enjoys the happy Hour.

What's to sleep?
'Tis a visionary Blessing;
A dream that's past expressing;
Our utmost Wish possessing;
So may I always keep.

The poem makes use of
end-stopped lines
run-on lines
rhyme
metaphor

Explanation

Rhyme refers to the repetition of similar sounds at the ends of lines in poetry. In the given poem, there is a clear use of rhyme scheme, particularly in the second and fourth lines of each stanza. For example:

- "Sleep, O sleep" and "I cease to weep" rhyme.
- "By thy power" and "Enjoys the happy hour" rhyme.
- "What's to sleep?" and "So may I always keep" rhyme.

This consistent pattern of rhyming pairs throughout the poem indicates the use of rhyme as a poetic device.

End-stopped lines are also used in the poem

"Sleep, O sleep" ends with a comma, creating an end-stopped line.
"Charm my Imagination," also ends with a comma, indicating another end-stopped line.

These pauses or stops help to emphasize the completion of a thought or idea within the line itself. 

However, it is important to note that rhyme is more dominant than end-stopped lines. The poem's structure relies heavily on rhyme, as evidenced by the consistent rhyme scheme throughout the stanzas. Each stanza follows a rhyme scheme.

On the other hand, while there are some end-stopped lines in the poem (lines that end with punctuation, creating pauses or stops), they are not as prominent or defining as rhyme.

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