English: Not Marble, nor the Gilded Monuments

(a) Why do you think the rich and powerful people get monuments and statues erected in their memory?

Answer: The rich and the powerful people get monuments and statues erected in their memory because they want to become immortal for generations and to be remembered forever for their prosperity and power.

(b) Describe how the monuments and statues brave the ravages of time.

Answer: The monuments and statues brave the ravages of time by the strong materials they are made up of. Many of the monuments are made up of metal which does not let it damage for long years. Moreover, the binding material is also of superior quality which make the monument stand intact for hundreds of year.

(c) Why does the poet refer to Time as being sluttish?

Answer: The poet refers to time as being sluttish because time is unfaithful and spoils every thing that comes in its way and make it dirty and less glamoured.

(d) The poet says that neither forces of nature nor wars can destroy his property. In fact, even godly powers of Mars will not have a devastating effect on his rhyme. What quality of the poet is revealed through these lines?

Answer: Through these lines we come to know that poet is very optimistic and has firm faith on the immortality of his rhyme.