Question

Read this excerpt from Percy Shelley's "Mutability." What is the syllable count of each line in this stanza? The flower that smiles to-day To-morrow dies; All that we wish to stay Tempts and then flies. What is this world's delight? Lightning that mocks the night, Brief even as bright. A 7 – 4 – 6 – 4– 4 – 6 – 5 or B 7 – 4 – 4 – 4– 6 – 6 – 5 orC 7 – 6 – 6 – 4– 6 – 6 – 5 or D 7 – 4 – 6 – 4– 6 – 6 – 5

Answer 1

The correct answer is D. 7 - 4 - 6 - 4 - 6 - 6 - 5.
Just count the number of syllables: there are 7 in the first line, 4 in the second, 6 in the third, 4 in the fourth, 6 in the fifth, 6 in the sixth, and 5 in the seventh line. A syllable usually has only one vowel - if there are more than one vowel next to each other, that's called a diphth.ong and is counted as one syllable. 

Answer 2

The answer is D; the syllables in each line of the poem are 7-4-6-4-6-6-5. Smiles can be a confusing word, but it is in fact one syllable. World's might also throw one off, but like smiles, it is only one syllable.