Of The Four Ages Of Man Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDDCCEEFGHHIIJJ KKBBLLMMNNOOMMPPMMHH AAQQII| Lo now four other act upon the stage | A |
| Childhood and Youth the Many and Old age | A |
| The first son unto phlegm grandchild to water | B |
| Unstable supple cold and moist's his nature | B |
| The second frolic claims his pedigree | C |
| From blood and air for hot and moist is he | C |
| The third of fire and choler is compos'd | D |
| Vindicative and quarrelsome dispos'd | D |
| The last of earth and heavy melancholy | C |
| Solid hating all lightness and all folly | C |
| Childhood was cloth'd in white and green to show | E |
| His spring was intermixed with some snow | E |
| Upon his head nature a garland set | F |
| Of Primrose Daisy and the Violet | G |
| Such cold mean flowers the spring puts forth betime | H |
| Before the sun hath thoroughly heat the clime | H |
| His hobby striding did not ride but run | I |
| And in his hand an hour glass new begun | I |
| In danger every moment of a fall | J |
| And when 't is broke then ends his life and all | J |
| But if he hold till it have run its last | K |
| Then may he live out threescore years or past | K |
| Next Youth came up in gorgeous attire | B |
| As that fond age doth most of all desire | B |
| His suit of crimson and his scarf of green | L |
| His pride in's countenance was quickly seen | L |
| Garland of roses pinks and gillyflowers | M |
| Seemed on's head to grow bedew'd with showers | M |
| His face as fresh as is Aurora fair | N |
| When blushing she first 'gins to light the air | N |
| No wooden horse but one of mettle tried | O |
| He seems to fly or swim and not to ride | O |
| Then prancing on the stage about he wheels | M |
| But as he went death waited at his heels | M |
| The next came up in a much graver sort | P |
| As one that cared for a good report | P |
| His sword by's side and choler in his eyes | M |
| But neither us'd as yet for he was wise | M |
| Of Autumn's fruits a basket on his arm | H |
| His golden god in's purse which was his charm | H |
| And last of all to act upon this stage | A |
| Leaning upon his staff came up Old Age | A |
| Under his arm a sheaf of wheat he bore | Q |
| An harvest of the best what needs he more | Q |
| In's other hand a glass ev'n almost run | I |
| Thus writ about This out then am I done | I |
Anne Bradstreet
(1)
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About Of The Four Ages Of Man
Of The Four Ages Of Man is a poem by Anne Bradstreet. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.