An April Fool Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD E EF GHGI JFJF KLKL MNMN ODPD QRQ ALAL SDTD DDDD UDUD VWVX YDYD EHEI ZDZD DRDR DA2D B2LB2L C2LC2L D2LD2 DL L

I sallied afield when the bud first swellsA
And the sun first slanteth hotlyB
And I came on a yokel in cap and bellsA
And a suit of saffron motleyB
-
He was squat on a bank where a self taught streamC
Fingering flint and pebbleD
Was playing in tune to the yaffel's screamC
And the shake of the throstle's trebleD
-
Now who may you be '' I asked and whereE
Do you look for your meals and pillow ''-
My roof '' he said is the spacious airE
And my curtain the waving willowF
-
My meal is a shive of the miller's loafG
And hunger the grace that blessesH
'Tis banquet enough for a village oafG
With a handful of fresh green cressesI
-
A plague on your feasts where the dish goes roundJ
Though I know where the truffles burrowF
And the plover's eggs may in fours be foundJ
In the folds of the pleated furrowF
-
And my name O I am an April FoolK
So yclept in the hamlet yonderL
For when old and young are at work or schoolK
I sit on a stile and ponderL
-
I gather the yellow weasel snoutM
As I wander the woods at randomN
Or I stoop stone still and tickle the troutM
And at times for a lark I land 'emN
-
But I flick them back ere they gape and pantO
After gazing at gill and speckleD
For why should I keep what I do not wantP
Who can fish without hook or heckleD
-
Yes I am an April Fool confessedQ
And my pate grows not wise for scratchingR
But I know where the kingfisher drills his nestQ
And the long tailed tits are hatching ''-
-
Then he leaped to his feet and he shook his bellsA
And they jangled all togetherL
As blithe as the chime that sinks and swellsA
For the joy of a nuptial tetherL
-
And as they chimed in the covert nearS
Where ripens the juicy whortleD
The rustling whisper reached my earT
Of a loitering maiden's kirtleD
-
Whereat he laughed I'm an April FoolD
But am jocund withal and jollyD
So long as I have this realm to ruleD
And a lass to love my follyD
-
Go and woo where the deftly fair paradeU
The smiles of a fine court ladyD
But I will cuddle my rustic maidU
In the pheasant drives husht and shadyD
-
Her cheek is as creamy as milk in JuneV
And the winds nor chap nor warp itW
We dance with the blackbird to give the tuneV
And with primroses for carpetX
-
Her quick flashing fingers knit the hoseY
For her little feet neat and nimbleD
Her kiss is as sweet as a half shut roseY
And her laugh like a silver cymbalD
-
She never asks how my fortunes fareE
Nor wonders how full my purse isH
She sits on my knee and she strokes my hairE
And I tell her my wildwood versesI
-
She has not a gem she can call her ownZ
But I rest on a sheepfold hurdleD
And out of the daffodils newly blownZ
Entwine her a golden girdleD
-
And soon I shall have for my nut sweet girlD
When the May tree is adorningR
Its weather tanned skin with rows of pearlD
A new necklace night and morningR
-
When shortly we catch the cuckoo's callD
We shall clap our hands to hear himA2
For let whom they may his gibes appalD
This April Fool don't fear him ''-
-
Then a wind cloud hued like a ringdove's neckB2
Made the rain run helter skelterL
The keen drops pattered on bank and beckB2
And I crouched in the ditch for shelterL
-
But he whistled his love and he waved his capC2
And the bells all rang togetherL
Just fancy '' he cried to care one rapC2
For the whims of wind or weatherL
-
Through all the seasons I keep my youthD2
Which is more than you town folk do sirL
Now which is the April Fool in soothD2
Do you think it is I or you sir ''-
-
Then the rain ceased slashing on branch and poolD
And swift came the sunshine afterL
And the thrush and the yaffel screamed April Fool ''-
And the covert rang with laughterL

Alfred Austin



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