It is composed of six quatrains with the meter alternating between iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter. Stanzas1, 2, 4, and 6 employ end rhyme in their second and fourth lines, but some of these are only close rhyme or eye rhyme. In the third stanza, there is no end rhyme, but “ring” in line2 rhymes with “gazing” and “setting” in lines3 and 4 respectively. Internal rhyme is scattered throughout. Figures of speech include alliteration, anaphora, paradox, and personification. The poem personifies Death as a gentleman caller who takes a leisurely carriage ride with the poet to her grave. She also personifies immortality. The volta happens in the fourth quatrain. Structurally, the syllables shift from its constant 8-6-8-6 scheme to 6-8-8-6. This parallels with the undertones of the sixth quatrain. The personification of death changes from one of pleasantry to one of ambiguity and morbidity: (“Or rather, he passed us/ The dews drew quivering and chill”13-14). The imagery changes from its original nostalgic form of children playing and setting suns to Death's real concern of taking the speaker to afterlife.

On that single day, “I” experienced “my” whole life again, from childhood, to adulthood and then the old age.The setting sun indicates that death is unavoidable for everyone. Before seeing the tomb, “I” am fear of death for “I” can feel “quivering and chill”. Later, when “I” stop in front of the tomb which resembles the “House” and then contemplate “death”, I finally realize that death is eternity and the latter is exactly what “I” aspire for.