After Death Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AA BB CC DD CC CC CC BB EE BB CC CC CC CC FF GH CC II JK CC LL MM NN FF MM

THE FOUR boards of the coffin lidA
Heard all the dead man didA
-
The first curse was in his mouthB
Made of grave s mould and deadly drouthB
-
The next curse was in his headC
Made of God s work discomfitedC
-
The next curse was in his handsD
Made out of two grave bandsD
-
The next curse was in his feetC
Made out of a grave sheetC
-
I had fair coins red and whiteC
And my name was as great lightC
-
I had fair clothes green and redC
And strong gold bound round my headC
-
But no meat comes in my mouthB
Now I fare as the worm dothB
-
And no gold binds in my hairE
Now I fare as the blind fareE
-
My live thews were of great strengthB
Now am I waxen a span s lengthB
-
My live sides were full of lustC
Now are they dried with dustC
-
The first board spake and saidC
Is it best eating flesh or breadC
-
The second answered itC
Is wine or honey the more sweetC
-
The third board spake and saidC
Is red gold worth a girl s gold headC
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The fourth made answer thusF
All these things are as one with usF
-
The dead man asked of themG
Is the green land stained brown with flameH
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Have they hewn my son for beasts to eatC
And my wife s body for beasts meatC
-
Have they boiled my maid in a brass panI
And built a gallows to hang my manI
-
The boards said to himJ
This is a lewd thing that ye deemK
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Your wife has gotten a golden bedC
All the sheets are sewn with redC
-
Your son has gotten a coat of silkL
The sleeves are soft as curded milkL
-
Your maid has gotten a kirtle newM
All the skirt has braids of blueM
-
Your man has gotten both ring and gloveN
Wrought well for eyes to loveN
-
The dead man answered thusF
What good gift shall God give usF
-
The boards answered him anonM
Flesh to feed hell s worm uponM

Algernon Charles Swinburne



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About After Death

After Death is a poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.



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