Question

In one paragraph of at least three to five sentences, analyze the tone and imagery used in the line in bold. Identify the mood the author intended to create with this imagery, as well as the connotations used in the words "vain," "endless rue," and "oh." Use proper spelling and grammar

Answer 1

When I Was One-and-Twenty," by A.E. Housman

When I was one-and-twenty
I heard a wise man say,
'Give crowns and pound and guineas
But not your heart away;

Give pearls away and rubies
But keep your fancy free.'
But I was one-and twenty,
No use to talk to me.

When I was one-and-twenty
I heard him say again,
'The heart out of the bosom
Was never given in vain;
'Tis paid with sighs a plenty
And sold for endless rue.'
And I am two-and-twenty,
And oh, 'tis true, 'tis true.

Answer 2

Where is the bold line?

Answer 3

Savannah?

Answer 4

Was never given in vain;
'Tis paid with sighs a plenty
And sold for endless rue.'
And I am two-and-twenty,
And oh, 'tis true, 'tis true.

Answer 5

In the first two stanzas he is saying that someone warned him about falling in love, but that he was twenty-one and didn't listen.

In the last stanza he is saying that by the time he was twenty-two, he had fallen in love and found that although love was not given in vain (for no reason), it caused unending regret (endless rue). And "Oh", the man was right !