Speaker or Narrator, and Point of View
implied first-person speaker
Form and Meter
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Metaphors and Similes
Almost every line of the poem can be understood as a metaphor for prayer. Especially important are the following:
the "plummet," a tool for measurement, which suggests prayer helps man to understand earth
the "engine," suggesting prayer is a weapon against sin
"manna," suggesting prayer provides nourishment
"the milky way," suggesting prayer is important beyond earth
"the bird of paradise," comparing prayer to something rare and animal
Alliteration and Assonance
assonance: "angel's age"
alliteration: "Church-bells beyond the stars heard," "the soul's blood"
Irony
Genre
lyric poetry in the tradition of systrophe
Setting
Tone
exultant; praising
