The Passing of Time: In "Thyrsis," Arnold directly addresses the passage of time and its impact on both his personal life and the broader world. The poem is an elegy for his friend Arthur Hugh Clough. Arnold writes, 

Here came I often, often, in old days—

Thyrsis and I; we still had Thyrsis then.

Nostalgia for the Past: Both poems (earlier discussed) convey a strong sense of nostalgia for a past. In "The Scholar-Gypsy," Arnold contrasts the scholar’s timeless quest with the world of men. This nostalgia is a form of elegy for a past ideal that cannot be recaptured. Similarly, in "Thyrsis," Arnold reflects on the idealized pastoral world. He expresses a deep sense of loss for the simpler, more beautiful world of the past.

The Role of Nature: Nature plays a significant role in conveying the elegiac tone in both poems. In "The Scholar-Gypsy," the scholar’s journey is intertwined with the natural world. Arnold uses the natural setting to emphasize the scholar’s eternal search and the poet’s sense of loss. In "Thyrsis," nature is also central to the elegiac mood. Here, the poet describes the shepherd’s field, followingly: 

That sweet city with her dreaming spires,

The Legacy of Friendship: The elegiac tone in "Thyrsis" is deeply connected to Arnold’s sense of personal loss and the legacy of friendship. The poem reflects on the impact of Clough’s death and the void it leaves in Arnold’s life. He writes, 

Our friend, the Gipsy-Scholar, was not dead;

While the tree lived, he in these fields lived on.

In conclusion, Matthew Arnold’s "The Scholar-Gypsy" and "Thyrsis" both utilize elegiac tones vividly. This tone explores themes of loss, nostalgia, and the passage of time. Through these poems, Arnold reflects on the idealism of the past, the impact of time, and the personal grief of losing a friend. His use of elegy highlights his deep sense of mourning and longing for a world that seems to be slipping away.