Shot? So Quick, So Clean An Ending? Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH IJIJ EKEL AMAM| Shot so quick so clean an ending | A |
| Oh that was right lad that was brave | B |
| Yours was not an ill for mending | A |
| 'Twas best to take it to the grave | B |
| - | |
| Oh you had forethought you could reason | C |
| And saw your road and where it led | D |
| And early wise and brave in season | C |
| Put the pistol to your head | D |
| - | |
| Oh soon and better so than later | E |
| After long disgrace and scorn | F |
| You shot dead the household traitor | E |
| The soul that should not have been born | F |
| - | |
| Right you guessed the rising morrow | G |
| And scorned to tread the mire you must | H |
| Dust's your wages son of sorrow | G |
| But men may come to worse than dust | H |
| - | |
| Souls undone undoing others | I |
| Long time since the tale began | J |
| You would not live to wrong your brothers | I |
| Oh lad you died as fits a man | J |
| - | |
| Now to your grave shall friend and stranger | E |
| With ruth and some with envy come | K |
| Undishonoured clear of danger | E |
| Clean of guilt pass hence and home | L |
| - | |
| Turn safe to rest no dreams no waking | A |
| And here man here's the wreath I've made | M |
| 'Tis not a gift that's worth the taking | A |
| But wear it and it will not fade | M |
A. E. Housman
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