How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #4
Not spared, not one
That dandled a sandalled
Shadow that swam or sank
On meadow and river and wind-wandering weed-winding bank. (5-8)
As if things weren't sad enough, the speaker comes up with this invented, personified backstory to the trees, who apparently lived once-happy lives, frolicking on the river bank. The fact that they can no longer enjoy themselves in this way makes their "deaths" even sadder.
Quote #5
O if we but knew what we do (9)
Here's a quick poetry tip for you, Shmoopers: anytime you see "O" in a poem, you're dealing with some intense emotion. The speaker's sadness really comes through in this line's lamenting of human ignorance. We're just the worst, and that's super-sad in his view.
Quote #6
Strokes of havoc únselve
The sweet especial scene,
Rural scene, a rural scene,
Sweet especial rural scene. (21-24)
Just like in line 3, we get more repetition here at the end of the poem. Was Hopkins getting paid by the word? Doubtful—the repetition here is just another mark of sadness. We can practically see the speaker, numb with grief, holding his head in his hands as he repeats his mournful lament for the lost trees. It doesn't get much sadder than this.