The Van Nessiad Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCC DDEEFF G H III JJKKLLMMAANOOMMPPQ BBRR S TTUUVVWWCCXXY ZZA2A2B2B2C2

From end to end thine avenue Van NessA
Rang with the cries of battle and distressA
Brave lungs were thundering with dreadful soundB
And perspiration smoked along the groundB
Sing heavenly muse to ears of mortal clayC
The meaning cause and finish of the frayC
-
Great Porter Ashe invoking first the godsD
Who signed their favor with assenting nodsD
That snapped off half their heads their necks grown dryE
Since last the nectar cup went circling byE
Resolved to build a stable on his lotF
His neighbors fiercely swearing he should notF
Said he 'I build that stable ' 'No you don't '-
Said they 'I can ' 'You can't ' 'I will ' 'You won't '-
'By heaven ' he swore 'not only will I buildG
But purchase donkeys till the place is filled '-
'Needless expense ' they sneered in tones of iceH
'The owner's self if lodged there would suffice '-
For three long months the awful war they wagedI
With women women men with men engagedI
While roaring babes and shrilling poodles ragedI
-
Jove from Olympus where he still maintainsJ
His ancient session with rheumatic painsJ
Touched by his long exposure marked the strifeK
Interminable but by loss of lifeK
For malediction soon exhausts the breathL
If not old age itself is certain deathL
Lo he holds high in heaven the fatal beamM
A golden pan depends from each extremeM
This feels of Porter's fate the downward stressA
That bears the destiny of all Van NessA
Alas the rusted scales their life all goneN
Deliver judgment neither pro nor conO
The dooms hang level and the war goes onO
With a divine contemptuous disesteemM
Jove dropped the pans and kicked himself the beamM
Then to decide the strife with ready witP
The nickel that he did not care for itP
Twirled absently remarking 'See it spinQ
Head Porter loses tail the others win '-
The conscious nickel charged with doom spun roundB
Portentously and made a ringing soundB
Then staggering beneath its load of fateR
Sank rattling died at last and lay in stateR
-
Jove scanned the disk and then as is his wontS
Raised his considering orbs exclaiming 'Front '-
With leisurely alacrity approachedT
The herald god to whom his mind he broachedT
'In San Francisco two belligerent PowersU
Such as contended round great Ilion's towersU
Fight for a stable though in either classV
There's not a horse and but a single assV
Achilles Ashe with formidable jawW
Assails a Trojan band with fierce hee hawW
Firing the night with brilliant curses TheyC
With dark vituperation gloom the dayC
Fate against which nor gods nor men competeX
Decrees their victory and his defeatX
With haste good Mercury betake thee henceY
And salivate him till he has no sense '-
-
Sheer downward shot the messenger afarZ
Trailing a splendor like a falling starZ
With dimming lustre through the air he burnedA2
Vanished nor till another sun returnedA2
The sovereign of the gods superior smiledB2
Beaming benignant fatherly and mildB2
'Is Destiny's decree performed my ladC2
And has he now no sense ' 'Ah sire he never had '-

Ambrose Bierce



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