Alfred Austin

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Poet-s Corner Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABCCB DDEFFE GGHIIH JJKLLK MMNOON PPQGGQ LLRSSR TTUVVU WWPXXP YYGOOG ZZA2B2B2A2 C2C2XGGX D2D2E2D2D2E2 GGC2GGC2 PPRF2F2R GGG2H2H2G2

I stand within the Abbey wallsA
Where soft the slanting sunlight fallsA
In gleams of mellow graceB
The organ swells the anthem soarsC
And waves of prayerful music poursC
Throughout the solemn spaceB
-
Slowly the chanted yearning diesD
Then spoken supplications riseD
Upfloating to the skyE
The organ peals anew againF
Is silent and there linger thenF
Only my soul and IE
-
But what are these mute busts that gazeG
On me from out the vanished daysG
And bid me pause and scanH
Tablet inscription title dateI
All that records the vain estateI
Of transitory manH
-
Read I aright And can it beJ
Old Abbey that dead bards in theeJ
A resting place have foundK
Is not this consecrated airL
This is the house the home of prayerL
This this is sacred groundK
-
And who were they Their fretful lifeM
With heavenly precept was at strifeM
No pious peace they knewN
Like thunderstorms against the windO
They pressed and from their lurid mindO
Alarming lightnings flewN
-
Creeds were to them but chains to breakP
No formulas their thirst could slakeP
No faith their hunger feedQ
Their prayers were breathed to unscaled cragsG
They worshipped where the eagle flagsG
And the snow streams flash and speedQ
-
Their temple was the earth the airL
The stars that in night's silence shareL
Unto the plunging brineR
Listening they heard a sacred hymnS
And deep within the woodlands dimS
Found transept aisle and shrineR
-
All shapes of sensuous beauty stoleT
A pathway to the poet's soulT
An unresisting slaveU
To smiles that win to tears that meltV
Whatever hearts can feel he feltV
Whatever ask for gaveU
-
His heart to love as quick he lentW
As flower to wandering wind its scentW
Or lark to sun its songP
He spent himself in gusts of joyX
Chased the fair phantoms that decoyX
And youth's brief reign prolongP
-
Yet it was wise as well as justY
Not upon his rebellious dustY
The Abbey gates to closeG
But bid him hither wend and findO
What life refused his eager mindO
Glory and yet reposeG
-
For should there come that threatened dayZ
When creeds shall fade when faith decayZ
And worship shall have ceasedA2
Then when all formal guides shall failB2
Mankind will in the Poet hailB2
A prophet and a priestA2
-
He will instruct us still to strainC2
Towards something to redress our painC2
To elevate our joyX
Something responding to that senseG
Of restlessness that calls us henceG
And makes existence cloyX
-
What though commandment dogma riteD2
One after one shall perish quiteD2
The Poet still will keepE2
The Sanctuary's lamp alightD2
And in the body's deepest nightD2
Forbid the soul to sleepE2
-
Then apprehended right his laysG
Shall seem a hymn of prayer and praiseG
To purify from stainC2
Shall bridge with love the severed yearsG
Instil the sacredness of tearsG
The piety of painC2
-
Devotion at his touch shall wakeP
The fountains of emotion quakeP
With tenderness divineR
His melody our cravings liftF2
Upward and have the saving giftF2
Of sacramental wineR
-
Let him then rest where now he liesG
So that if narrower ritual diesG
Devout feet still may comeG2
Confessing what his strains impartH2
The deep religion of the heartH2
That never will be dumbG2

Alfred Austin



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