In stanza 5, the imagery of "My eyes strayed far and wide" conveys a sense of restless searching and a longing to find something elusive. This phrase illustrates a journey of exploration and the act of looking outward, suggesting a pursuit of understanding or connection. The transition occurs with the shift to "before I shut them and said 'Here art thou!'" This phrase implies a moment of acceptance and inner peace, as the speaker turns inward and recognizes what they have been seeking.
The figurative language throughout this passage serves to highlight this transformation in mood. The act of closing one's eyes can symbolize introspection or a suspension of the outward quest, leading to a deeper realization. The phrase "Here art thou!" signals the arrival at a conclusion or realization, suggesting that what has been sought is not external but rather an insight or feeling that resides within.
Thus, the author's use of imagery to depict both the expansive search and the subsequent inward turn conveys a movement from a state of longing and activity to one of calm realization, effectively shifting the overall mood of the poem from searching to serenity.