* David's youthful innocence and naivety: The poem opens with David as a young boy, "dreaming of stone." He's presented as innocent and full of wonder, unaware of the dangers and realities of the adult world. This innocence foreshadows the eventual loss of his idealism and his eventual fall from grace.
* The focus on David's skills and ambition: Birney emphasizes David's talent as a sculptor, his ambition to create the perfect statue, and his dedication to his craft. This foreshadows the obsessive nature of his pursuit and how it will eventually consume him.
* The changing nature of the poem's imagery: The poem begins with idyllic imagery, such as "soft green hills" and "the sun on the valley." As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes increasingly dark and foreboding. This shift reflects David's gradual descent into despair and madness.
* The repeated use of the word "stone": "Stone" is a recurring motif throughout the poem. While it symbolizes the material David works with, it also represents the rigidity, coldness, and unyielding nature of the world and ultimately, the fate that awaits David.
* The poem's final stanza: The final stanza, with its imagery of "a mountain of stone" and David's "dead hand," offers a stark and tragic end to the poem. This ending underscores the futility of David's struggle and his ultimate defeat.
While the poem doesn't offer explicit foreshadowing, these subtle elements build a sense of impending doom and ultimately contribute to the poem's powerful and tragic message.