Sentence structure of a stanza in "Ozymandias"—how the grammar works?

Question

>Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed. I do get that it says that the one who made the statue did a really good job of bringing the haughty Pharaoh's emotions to life; that a subordinate clause promptly follows (starting with a 'which') the subject of which are these "passions" again; and that the next line brings the focus back to the sculptor and reverses the power dynamics, describing the sculptor instead as the one who literally plays with these "passions" and in whose hands the preservation of the Pharaoh's memory and legacy solely lies. What I don't get is the structure in the last bit. Is the last line just an extension of the adjective phrase ("stamped on those [..]") in the second line? If that is indeed the case, shouldn't there be a "by" in middle? "stamped on these lifeless things *by* the hand that [...]"? It'll be a case of omission then. But what for? Merely for the sake of brevity? For added effect? Or for more impact? Or is it developing the "sculptor" clause at the beginning further, as in the sculptor consists of "the hand that mocked [...]"?

Answer 1

In “Ode to the West Wind,” Shelley connects the wind to inspiration and its power to bring change. Shelley praises nature for its ability to destroy, preserve, and change the world—a concept he uses in “Ozymandias” to show how time and weather have ruined Ozymandias to where “Nothing beside remains. Round the decay / Of that colossal Wreck" (Lines 12-13). The traveler, the tyrant Ozymandias, the artist who made the statue, and the statue itself have all become antiquated.

So, let’s analyze the passage you mentioned on your question:

“Tell that its sculptor well those passions read”

(The sculptor was able to register the tyranny of Ozymandias in the sculpture. In this case, the word “passions” refers to the “frown” and “wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command” mentioned on the previous lines.)

“Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,”

(The passions or expressions that (which) survive on the “Half sunk,”

“shattered visage”—shattered pieces of the sculpture or “lifeless things.”)

“The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;”

(“The hand that mocked them” stands for the sculptor’s work. “Them” refers to “these lifeless things.” “The heart that fed” is Ozymandias himself.)

There should be no “by” in front of “the heart that fed” because the hand and the heart are not from the same characters.