Christmas,1870 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABCCD DBEFFE GGHIIH JJKLLK MMNHHN OOPQQP RRSTTS TTBUUB VVWAAW XXLWWL YYZA2A2Z B2B2C2D2D2C2 E2EKEEK F2F2HG2G2H OOH2I2I2H2 J2

Heaven strews the earth with snowA
That neither friend nor foeA
May break the sleep of the fast dying yearB
A world arrayed in whiteC
Late dawns and shrouded lightC
Attest to us once more that Christmas tide is hereD
-
And yet and yet I hearD
No strains of pious cheerB
No children singing round the Yule log fireE
No carol's sacred notesF
Warbled by infant throatsF
On brooding mother's lap or knee of pleas d sireE
-
Comes with the hallowed timeG
No sweet accustomed chimeG
No peal of bells athwart the midnight airH
No mimes or jocund waitsI
Within wide opened gatesI
Loud laughter in the hall or glee of children fairH
-
No loving cup sent roundJ
No footing of the groundJ
No sister's kiss under the berried boughK
No chimney's joyous roarL
No hospitable storeL
Though it be Christmas tide to make us note it nowK
-
No only human hateM
And fear and death and fateM
And fierce hands locked in fratricidal strifeN
The distant hearth stripped bareH
By the gaunt guest DespairH
Pale groups of pining babes round lonely weeping wifeN
-
Can it be Christmas tideO
The snow with blood is dyedO
From human hearts wrung out by human handsP
Hark did not sweet bells pealQ
No 'twas the ring of steelQ
The clang of arm d men and shock of murderous bandsP
-
Didst Thou then really comeR
Silence that dreadful drumR
Christ Saviour Babe of lowly Virgin bornS
If Thou indeed Most HighT
Didst in a manger lieT
Then be the Prince of Peace and save us from Hell's scornS
-
We weep if men denyT
That Thou didst live and dieT
Didst ever walk upon this mortal sphereB
Yet of Thy Passion LordU
What know these times abhorredU
Save the rude soldier's stripes sharp sponge and piercing spearB
-
Therefore we Father pleadV
Grant us in this our needV
Another Revelation from Thy throneW
That we may surely knowA
We are not sons of woeA
Forgotten and cast off but verily Thine ownW
-
Yet if He came anewX
Where where would shelter dueX
Be found for load divine and footsteps soreL
Here not the inns aloneW
But fold and stable groanW
With sterner guests than drove sad Mary from the doorL
-
And thou 'mong women blestY
Who laidst with awe struck breastY
Thy precious babe upon the lowly strawZ
Now for thy new born SonA2
Were nook and cradle noneA2
If not in bloody trench or cannon's smoking jawZ
-
Round her what alien ritesB2
What savage sounds and sightsB2
The plunging war horse and sulphureous matchC2
Than such as these alasD2
Better the ox the assD2
The manger's crib secure and peace bestowing thatchC2
-
The trumpet's challenge direE2
Would hush the angelic choirE
The outpost's oath replace the Shepherd's vowK
No frankincense or myrrhE
Would there be brought to herE
For Wise Men kneel no more Kings are not humble nowK
-
O Lord O Lord how longF2
Thou that art good art strongF2
Put forth Thy strength Thy ruling love declareH
Stay Thou the smiting handG2
Invert the flaming brandG2
And teach the proud to yield the omnipotent to spareH
-
Renew our Christmas tideO
Let weeping eyes be driedO
Love bloom afresh bloodshed and frenzy ceaseH2
And at Thy bidding reignI2
As in the heavenly strainI2
Glory to God on high on earth perpetual peaceH2
-
above ready for slurpJ2

Alfred Austin



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