Question

Rhythm gives a lyrical quality to a poem. The rhythm (pattern of beats) in a line of poetry is described by a metrical form. A metre is formed by a stressed and an unstressed syllable. Syllable is the name given to a single unit of speech/beats of spoken language.

The metrical form in the first four lines is given below. The stressed syllables have been underlined.

If words could sa tis fy the heart,
The heart might find less care;
But words, like sum mer birds, de part,
And leave but emp ty air.

Now, listen to the teacher read the poem. As you listen, underline the syllables that are stressed in all the lines of the poem. Share your answers with the teacher

Answer 1

If words could sa tis fy the heart,
The heart might find less care;
But words, like sum mer birds, de part,
And leave but emp ty air.

The heart, a pil grim up on earth,
Has words that need not say;
And words are of as lit tle worth
As just so many weeds.

A few words spo ken from the heart
May oft the heart de light;
But words that come from mere the art
Are like the lea ves of night.

If words could sa tis fy the chest,
The world might hold a feast;
But words are oft en least
When most we need them best.

A voice that makes the lon ely place
A little hap py seem,
May say but lit tle, yet its grace
Is more than words can dream.

Like plants that make a gau dy show,
All blos som to the root,
But whose poor na ture can not grow
One par ti cle of fruit.