3. Scarce more than deep-carved runes of vernal rain.
The rune was a character in the ancient alphabet and ultimately came to stand for poetry. Here the original meaning as a deep cut is restored.
6. Defiant clumps of thirst embittered grass, etc.
Note how exactly the characteristics of an arid landscape are set forth in such phrases as “thirst embittered grass,” “parched earth,” “bared and fang-like roots,” “dwarf thickets,” “stunted fruits.” The poet is shown by exactness, not inaccuracy.
15. And made the scabrous gulch appear to shake
The very sound of the word “scabrous” suggests dryness.
20. And where the mottled shadow dripped as ink etc.
The shadow of leaves on the yellow earth is black. The description is absolutely accurate. “A poet is known by his epithets.”
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3. Amid ironic heavens in the West—