Unshriven Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABA CCDC CEFF GHIH CJKJ AFFF ALFL MANA AAOAOh the sun rose on the lea and the bird sang merrilie | A |
And the steed stood ready harness'd in the hall | A |
And he left his lady's bower and he sought the eastern tower | B |
And he lifted cloak and weapon from the wall | A |
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We were wed but yester noon must we separate so soon | C |
Must you travel unassoiled and aye unshriven | C |
With the blood stain on your hand and the red streak on your brand | D |
And your guilt all unconfessed and unforgiven | C |
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Tho' it were but yester even we were wedded still unshriven | C |
Across the moor this morning I must ride | E |
I must gallop fast and straight for my errand will not wait | F |
Fear naught I shall return at eventide | F |
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If I fear it is for thee thy weal is dear to me | G |
Yon moor with retribution seemeth rife | H |
As we've sown so must we reap and I've started in my sleep | I |
At the voice of the avenger 'Life for life' | H |
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My arm is strong I ween and my trusty blade is keen | C |
And the courser that I ride is swift and sure | J |
And I cannot break my oath though to leave thee I am loth | K |
There is one that I must meet upon the moor | J |
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Oh the sun shone on the lea and the bird sang merrilie | A |
Down the avenue and through the iron gate | F |
Spurr'd and belted so he rode steel to draw and steel to goad | F |
And across the moor he galloped fast and straight | F |
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Oh the sun shone on the lea and the bird sang full of glee | A |
Ere the mists of evening gather'd chill and grey | L |
But the wild bird's merry note on the deaf ear never smote | F |
And the sunshine never warmed the lifeless clay | L |
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Ere the sun began to droop or the mist began to stoop | M |
The youthful bride lay swooning in the hall | A |
Empty saddle on his back broken bridle hanging slack | N |
The steed returned full gallop to the stall | A |
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Oh the sun sank in the sea and the wind wailed drearilie | A |
Let the bells in yonder monastery toll | A |
For the night rack nestles dark round the body stiff and stark | O |
And unshriven to its Maker flies the soul | A |
Adam Lindsay Gordon
(1)
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