Read the following poem carefully and answer the questions that follow:
O stealing time, the subject of delay,
Delay the rack of unrefrained desire,
What strange design has thou my hopes to stay?
My hopes which do but to mine own aspire?
Old age is wise, and full of constant truth,
Old age well stayed from ranging humours lives,
Old age hath known, whatever was in youth,
Old age overcome the greater honour gives.
The mood of the poet is that of
- carelessness
- happiness
- gaiety
-
helplessness
The correct answer is: D
Explanation
The poet expresses a sense of frustration and powerlessness regarding the passage of time and the delays it causes to their desires and hopes. The lament over how time affects aspirations and the reflections on old age reinforces this feeling of helplessness.