Read the poem.

excerpt from "The Inchcape Rock"
by Robert Southey

The buoy of the Inchcape Bell was seen,
A darker spot on the ocean green;
Sir Ralph the Rover walked his deck
And he fixed his eye on the darker speck.

He felt the cheering power of spring,—
It made him whistle, it made him sing;
His heart was mirthful to excess,
But the Rover’s mirth was wickedness.

His eye was on the Inchcape float.
Quoth he, “My men, put out the boat
And row me to the Inchcape Rock,
And I’ll plague the Abbot of Aberbrothok.”

The boat is lowered, the boatmen row,
And to the Inchcape Rock they go;
Sir Ralph bent over from the boat,
And he cut the bell from the Inchcape float.

Down sank the bell with a gurgling sound;
The bubbles rose and burst around.
Quoth Sir Ralph, “The next who comes to the Rock
Won’t bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok.”

How does the imagery affect the mood of these stanzas?

No stir in the air, no stir in the sea,

The ship was as still as she could be;

Her sails from heaven received no motion;

Her keel was steady in the ocean.

Without either sign or sound of their shock

The waves flowed over the Inchcape Rock;

So little they rose, so little they fell,

They did not move the Inchape Bell.

Question 7 options:


The motionless Inchcape Bell creates an alarming mood.


The steady keel and minimal waves create a tranquil mood.


The stillness of the air and sea create a frightening mood.


The sails from heaven create a respectful mood.