The only thing I can find is that Jerome had taken a very similar trip along the Thames for his honeymoon in 1888, and his experiences provided him the subject material for the novel. I don't see, in my copy, an acknowledgement to any particular person.
The answer is letter C. His tears were a symbolic representation of anger. It was an expression that he incorporated in the poem to portray his wrath towards his foe. That he was toiling hard to keep his anger within himself.
<span>a. middle-aged woman who speaks a strange language </span>