These round thy bowers their chearful influence shed,
These were thy charms-But all these charms are fled.
Ill fares the land, to hast'ning ills a prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay;
Question 1: What does the poet imply about the village's former charms?
Answer: The poet implies that the village was once adorned with cheerful influences and charms.
Question 2: How does the poet describe the current condition of the land?
Answer: The poet describes the current condition of the land as one where wealth increases while people decline.
Question 3: What contrasts does the poet draw between the past and present in the stanza?
Answer: The poet contrasts the former cheerful influences and charms of the village with its current state of decline and decay.