The Duel Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCDEFFGGHIIHJJ DKLMLCCNNOPPOQQ RISITTUUVWWVXD DYZYA2A2B2B2C2D2D2C2 GG E2WDF2G2G2K H2I2I2H2J2J2 FDFTTK2K2L2M2M2L2N2N 2FROM 'EUGENE ONIEGIN ' | A |
- | |
- | |
Yes foes How many days bethink you | B |
Since hatred stepped the two between | C |
And since in hours of thought and leisure | D |
At work at table they have been | E |
As comrades Now with purpose dread | F |
Like men in mutual loathing bred | F |
Each plans as though in broadest day | G |
A heavy nightmare on him lay | G |
The other's downfall in his heart | H |
Oh could they smile but once while still | I |
Their hands are pure from deed of ill | I |
And then their sev'ral ways depart | H |
But worldly hate like worldly fame | J |
Shrinks at the breath of worldly shame | J |
- | |
- | |
Now come together | D |
Calmly coldly | K |
Not aiming yet with haughty glance | L |
And tread assured and light though measured | M |
The combatants four steps advance | L |
Four steps to death whereon Eugene | C |
Still forward moving o'er the green | C |
The other likewise first began | N |
To raise his weapon fix his man | N |
N ine steps now of the fateful quest | O |
Were counted Lensky with a frown | P |
His left eye closed took aim when down | P |
Oniegin's thumb the trigger prest | O |
Reverse the sand glass Lensky sighed | Q |
No more and let his pistol glide | Q |
- | |
- | |
He sought his breast with clutching fingers | R |
He fell his glance grew dim and still | I |
It spoke of death alone not torment | S |
As when upon some eastern hill | I |
All sparkling in the morning light | T |
The snow wreath vanishes from sight | T |
Oniegin suddenly a cold | U |
With horror saw his shot had told | U |
He hastened o'er the poet's form | V |
He stooped he called his name too late | W |
He was no more untimely fate | W |
The flower had perished in the storm | V |
The music on the broken lyre | X |
And on the altar stone the fire | D |
- | |
- | |
And there he lay How unfamiliar | D |
Upon his brow the languid grace | Y |
Beneath his breast the ball had pierced him | Z |
The smoking blood ran down apace | Y |
Thence where a few brief moments past | A2 |
The pulse of life was bounding fast | A2 |
Where hate and hope and love were strong | B2 |
And warm emotions wont to throng | B2 |
The heart is now a house bereft | C2 |
Of former inmates every floor | D2 |
Is dark and still for evermore | D2 |
With dusty panes The host has left | C2 |
And whither went he Who shall say | G |
His very trace is swept away | G |
- | |
- | |
To write an epigram a sharp one | E2 |
Your stupid foe to irritate | W |
Is very nice To see him lower | D |
His sullen horns still obstinate | F2 |
And nolens volens in the glass | G2 |
With shame behold himself and pass | G2 |
Twere nicer still the fool should he | K |
Stand there and gape ' 'Tis meant for me ' | - |
And silently to dig your foe | H2 |
An honoured grave to aim with care | I2 |
Your mark the pallid forehead there | I2 |
A generous distance off we know | H2 |
Is nicest But to see him fall | J2 |
And lie is scarcely nice at all | J2 |
- | |
- | |
We'll just suppose my friend your pistol Has stretched a young acquaintance dead | F |
Because of forward look or answer | D |
Because some idle thing he said | F |
Had stung you o'er the wine last night | T |
Or even called you out to fight | T |
Himself in boyish anger well | K2 |
What kind of feeling pray you tell | K2 |
Came o'er you with a whelming rush | L2 |
When laid before you on the ground | M2 |
Without a motion or a sound | M2 |
He stiffens in the sudden hush | L2 |
When dumb with blinded stare he lies | N2 |
Stone deaf to your despairing cries | N2 |
Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about The Duel poem by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin
Best Poems of Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin