This line of the poem is interesting because the poem, in the first stanza, we see the emotions and the feeling of uncertainty, it sets a tone of fear and negativity. The next couple of stanza is more how leaders failed, like in the third stanza, and how we must suffer again. Throughout the poem, do we not only see the bickering between authorities and negative results of it but almost like why fight for life. So this line and this stanza kind of gives a sense of hope that is not present throughout the poem. With these words of "Show an affirming flame," like if Auden wants to start a fire to whoever is listening to him and send a message like yeah, life is good enough to fight too.

I find this phrase quite interesting because in the previous stanza, the first couple of lines he does not like being watched, judged, but yet he is fixated on someone else. The lines that follow, he describes the arm in color, "white and bare," and how the arms change different colors or the hair does. Well, considering he talks about body parts a lot, is there a deeper meaning to the various body parts and the way he describes them then what we are reading?

He keeps describing different body parts and the way those body parts play a role and affect him; he begins to describe the way he feels. I look up the word formulated meant in the dictionary, which is to express in precise form. He says the eyes that fix in you a formulated phrase, so it seems to me that all eyes are on him, and he does not like it. However, its a bit dramatic, but yet he does not like the attention on him and the idea of being criticized.

What comes to mind about this phrase is an aspect of religion, especially in the Bible. In the Bible, the Second Coming is regarding the future, the return of Jesus Christ after he ascended into heaven, and it is talked about in the book of Revelation, (ironically, during the due time on Easter). I do think that Yeats brings in a religious aspect. However, I don't think it is in any way Christianity because, in the following line, he talks about Spiritus Mundi, which I believe is another spiritual figure mixed with a lion and the head of a man. (Side note: that description of Spiritus Mundi, reminds me of Narnia.)