Stag is a quiet snapshot of a wild animal at the edge of a meadow. The deer stands motionless, stepping out carefully, and every part of him seems tuned to danger. He watches for the smallest movement and listens for the faintest sound. The poem's last lines turn to "you," the reader, and tell us what will happen if he spots us: he'll run.
The speaker doesn't say much about their own feelings, but the way they describe the scene suggests admiration and respect. They seem to be watching from a hidden spot, holding still themselves, almost afraid to disturb the moment. The short, plain lines mirror the stag's stillness and caution, so the poem itself feels hushed and tense. The mood is one of fragile calm. Nothing happens, yet it feels as though everything could change in an instant. By ending on the threat of running, the poem reminds us how easily a moment of peace with nature can be broken by our presence.