An Arundel Tomb

‘Side by side’ - assonance - giving emphasis to the proximity of and perhaps intimacy of the couple.

‘lie’ - polysomy? Larkin once again questions the validity of art

‘blurred’ - erosion and pollution suggesting the corroding nature of time

‘proper habits vaguely’ - corroding nature of time. The effigies seem at first generic and unremarkable.

‘such plainness of the pre-baroque hardly involves the eye’ - poetic voice (Larkin) is that of an initially detached observer and unengaged (tourist).

‘sharp tender shock’ - oxymoron - striking. Expresses both surprise and emotional engagement. This is as he sees that the couple have been portrayed by the sculptor as holding hands.

‘They would not think to lie so long’ - the poet begins to speculate on the couple’s intentions in the commissioning of the ‘effigy’. Polysomy. Larkin is once again questioning the veracity of art. Does the statue constitute a truthful representation of the enduring nature of romantic love?