The Four Ages Of Man: 01 - Introduction Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDDCCEEFGHHIIJJ KKBBLLMMNNKKMMKKMMHH AAOOIIPPAAKPKKPPQQRRLo now four other acts upon the stage | A |
Childhood and Youth the Manly and Old age | A |
The first son unto Phlegm grand child to water | B |
Unstable supple moist and cold'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 given to show | E |
His spring was intermixed with some snow | E |
Upon his head a Garland Nature set | F |
Of Daisy Primrose and the Violet | G |
Such cold mean flowers as these blossom betime | H |
Before the Sun hath throughly warm'd the clime | H |
His hobby striding did not ride but run | I |
And in his hand an hour glass new begun | I |
In dangers every moment of a fall | J |
And when 'tis broke then ends his life and all | J |
But if he held till it have run its last | K |
Then may he live till 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 |
In's countenance his pride quickly was seen | L |
Garland of Roses Pinks and Gillyflowers | M |
Seemed to grow on's head bedew'd with showers | M |
His face as fresh as is Aurora fair | N |
When blushing first she 'gins to red the Air | N |
No wooden horse but one of metal try'd | K |
He seems to fly or swim and not to ride | K |
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 more graver sort | K |
As one that cared for a good report | K |
His Sword by's side and choler in his eyes | M |
But neither us'd as yet for he was wise | M |
Of Autumn fruits a basket on his arm | H |
His golden rod in's purse which was his charm | H |
And last of all to act upon this Stage | A |
Leaning upon his staff comes up old age | A |
Under his arm a Sheaf of wheat he bore | O |
A Harvest of the best what needs he more | O |
In's other hand a glass ev'n almost run | I |
This writ about This out then I am done | I |
His hoary hairs and grave aspect made way | P |
And all gave ear to what he had to say | P |
These being met each in his equipage | A |
Intend to speak according to their age | A |
But wise Old age did with all gravity | K |
To childish childhood give precedency | P |
And to the rest his reason mildly told | K |
That he was young before he grew so old | K |
To do as he the rest full soon assents | P |
Their method was that of the Elements | P |
That each should tell what of himself he knew | Q |
Both good and bad but yet no more then's true | Q |
With heed now stood three ages of frail man | R |
To hear the child who crying thus began | R |
Anne Bradstreet
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation