How does the imagery in the poem’s first stanza affect its tone? Responses The tone of the first stanza is threatening, as if warning the reader that these natural beauties cannot last. The tone of the first stanza is threatening, as if warning the reader that these natural beauties cannot last., The images of the woods in autumn, the October twilight, the lake, and the floating swans combine to create a reflective tone. The images of the woods in autumn, the October twilight, the lake, and the floating swans combine to create a reflective tone., The speaker describes the images in a matter-of-fact tone, as if listing all the expected sights of nature, before turning his attention to the amazingly beautiful swans. The speaker describes the images in a matter-of-fact tone, as if listing all the expected sights of nature, before turning his attention to the amazingly beautiful swans., The tone of the first stanza is youthful and exuberant, as if the speaker is a young person exploring the woods. The tone of the first stanza is youthful and exuberant, as if the speaker is a young person exploring the woods.