Branches
The narrator mentions the branches Anne produced during her lifetime and he describes these branches as rising towards the heavens as an offering. This transmits the idea that the branches are perceived as being something out of this world, something that sets Anne apart from the rest. Because of this, the branches can be seen as a symbol for the literature Anne created and left behind after she passed on.
Invoking the muses
A common motif in the poem is the fact that the author invokes the muses and other Greek goddesses and gods associated with poetry and art. This element does not appear only in Dryden’s poems but rather in every poem written in that period and is considered as being a recurrent motif in the poems written during Dryden’s time.
Fruits
Another common motif is the comparison between Anne’s literary creations and fruits that are produced by trees. By comparing Anne’s poems with fruits, the author suggests that Anne was closely linked with nature and that in her case, the ac of producing poetry came natural, just as a tree would naturally produce fruits.
Anne’s true identity
Another common motif in the poem is the idea that Anne is actually not Anne but rather the reincarnated soul of Sappho. This idea is a common motif in the poem and is repeated by the narrative voice.
The Heaven rejoiced when Anne was born
Another common motif in the poem is the idea that the angels in heaven rejoiced when Anne was born. This idea is similar to the way Jesus Christ’s birth is presented in the Bible and through this the author wanted to transmit the idea that Anne was sent from above to share her talent with everyone on earth and to some extent to save them through her art.
