It’s the 3rd option. The clock is representing their lives ticking away slowly
I believe that the answer to this question is:
Sudden as hungry wolves the kids purloinOr lambs, which haply some unheeding swainHath left to roam at large the mountains wild
This is because a simile uses the words like or as.
I hope that this helps if you have any other questions feel free to message me!
Can we see the sentences, please?
