The Fool Errant Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCB DEFE GHIH JKLK MNON PQBQ RSGS HTUT SVWV NXGX YXXX XSZS XSES GHSH SSSS A2EOE B2GSG SA2XA2 SSA2S C2GSG| The Fool Errant sat by the highway of life | A |
| And his gaze wandered up and his gaze wandered down | B |
| A vigorous youth but with no wish to walk | C |
| Yet his longing was great for the distant town | B |
| - | |
| He whistled a little frivolous tune | D |
| Which he felt to be pulsing with ecstasy | E |
| For he thought that success always followed desire | F |
| Such a very superlative fool was he | E |
| - | |
| A maiden came by on an ambling mule | G |
| Her gown was rose red and her kerchief blue | H |
| On her lap she carried a basket of eggs | I |
| Thought the fool There is certainly room for two | H |
| - | |
| So he jauntily swaggered towards the maid | J |
| And put out his hand to the bridle rein | K |
| My pretty girl quoth the fool take me up | L |
| For to ride with you to the town I am fain | K |
| - | |
| But the maiden struck at his upraised arm | M |
| And pelted him hotly with eggs a score | N |
| The mule lashed into a fury ran | O |
| The fool went back to his stone and swore | N |
| - | |
| Then out of the cloud of settling dust | P |
| The burly form of an abbot appeared | Q |
| Reading his office he rode to the town | B |
| And the fool got up for his heart was cheered | Q |
| - | |
| He stood in the midst of the long white road | R |
| And swept off his cap till it touched the ground | S |
| Ah Reverent Sir well met said the fool | G |
| A worthier transport never was found | S |
| - | |
| I pray you allow me to mount with you | H |
| Your palfrey seems both sturdy and young | T |
| The abbot looked up from the holy book | U |
| And cried out in anger Hold your tongue | T |
| - | |
| How dare you obstruct the King's highroad | S |
| You saucy varlet get out of my way | V |
| Then he gave the fool a cut with his whip | W |
| And leaving him smarting he rode away | V |
| - | |
| The fool was angry the fool was sore | N |
| And he cursed the folly of monks and maids | X |
| If I could but meet with a man sighed the fool | G |
| For a woman fears and a friar upbraids | X |
| - | |
| Then he saw a flashing of distant steel | Y |
| And the clanking of harness greeted his ears | X |
| And up the road journeyed knights at arms | X |
| With waving plumes and glittering spears | X |
| - | |
| The fool took notice and slowly arose | X |
| Not quite so sure was his foolish heart | S |
| If priests and women would none of him | Z |
| Was it likely a knight would take his part | S |
| - | |
| They sang as they rode these lusty boys | X |
| When one chanced to turn toward the highway's side | S |
| There's a sorry figure of fun jested he | E |
| Well Sirrah move back there is scarce room to ride | S |
| - | |
| Good Sirs Kind Sirs begged the crestfallen fool | G |
| I pray of your courtesy speech with you | H |
| I'm for yonder town and have no horse to ride | S |
| Have you never a charger will carry two | H |
| - | |
| Then the company halted and laughed out loud | S |
| Was such a request ever made to a knight | S |
| And where are your legs asked one if you start | S |
| You may be inside the town gates to night | S |
| - | |
| 'T is a lazy fellow let him alone | A2 |
| They've no room in the town for such idlers as he | E |
| But one bent from his saddle and said My man | O |
| Art thou not ashamed to beg charity | E |
| - | |
| Thou art well set up and thy legs are strong | B2 |
| But it much misgives me lest thou'rt a fool | G |
| For beggars get only a beggar's crust | S |
| Wise men are reared in a different school | G |
| - | |
| Then they clattered away in the dust and the wind | S |
| And the fool slunk back to his lonely stone | A2 |
| He began to see that the man who asks | X |
| Must likewise give and not ask alone | A2 |
| - | |
| Purple tree shadows crept over the road | S |
| The level sun flung an orange light | S |
| And the fool laid his head on the hard gray stone | A2 |
| And wept as he realized advancing night | S |
| - | |
| A great round moon rose over a hill | C2 |
| And the steady wind blew yet more cool | G |
| And crouched on a stone a wayfarer sobbed | S |
| For at last he knew he was only a fool | G |
Amy Lowell
(1)
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