Question

Read the first stanza of "Auspex."

My heart, I cannot still it,
Nest that had song-birds in it;
And when the last shall go,
The dreary days to fill it,
Instead of lark or linnet,
Shall whirl dead leaves and snow.

The speaker compares his heart to an empty nest in order to
emphasize the fact that his love has left.
describe a physical feeling he is experiencing.
illustrate the positive qualities of his love.
explain the types of birds that he favors.

Answer 1

emphasize the fact that his love has left.

The empty nest and the final bird flying away (then replaced by “dead leaves and snow”) create an image of loss and emptiness — the beloved has gone and his heart is left bereft.