Final answer:
The poem contrasts the mournful sounds of gnats with pleasanter countryside noises, using alliteration and balanced quatrains that enhance the depiction of nature. Imagery of birds conveys connections to nature and freedom, while varied rhyme schemes establish mood and theme.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speaker in the poem is literally contrasting two distinct auditory experiences, which are the mournful noises of the gnats and the pleasanter sounds of the lambs, hedge-crickets, the red-breast, and swallows. These contrasting sounds evoke a rich tapestry of the natural world and highlight the diverse reactions to the setting sun. Alliteration and sensuality within the language emphasize these experiences. The bird imagery connotes freedom and beauty and signifies a connection with nature.
The form of the poem, consisting of balanced quatrains, invites us to compare the different elements of nature described within. The varied and intricate rhyme schemes, alongside the emphasis on certain sounds, create a pattern that adds to the overall meaning and mood. In discussing poems about death, the intricate rhyming and refrain serve in controlling the mood and evoking a particular setting or theme.