The Countersign Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABAACDCD EFEFAGAG HIHIJKJK LMLMNONO PQPQPAPA LRLRSTUT VMV WAWA XAXAYMYY

Alas the weary hours pass slowA
The night is very dark and stillB
And in the marshes far belowA
I hear the bearded whippoorwillA
I scarce can see a yard aheadC
My ears are strained to catch each soundD
I hear the leaves about me shedC
And the spring's bubbling through the groundD
-
Along the beaten path I paceE
Where white rags mark my sentry's trackF
In formless shrubs I seem to traceE
The foeman's form with bending backF
I think I see him crouching lowA
I stop and list I stoop and peerG
Until the neighboring hillocks growA
To groups of soldiers far and nearG
-
With ready piece I wait and watchH
Until my eyes familiar grownI
Detect each harmless earthen notchH
And turn guerillas into stoneI
And then amid the lonely gloomJ
Beneath the tall old chestnut treesK
My silent marches I resumeJ
And think of other times than theseK
-
Sweet visions through the silent nightL
The deep bay windows fringed with vineM
The room within in softened lightL
The tender milk white hand in mineM
The timid pressure and the pauseN
That often overcame our speechO
That time when by mysterious lawsN
We each felt all in all to eachO
-
And then that bitter bitter dayP
When came the final hour to partQ
When clad in soldier's honest grayP
I pressed her weeping to my heartQ
Too proud of me to bid me stayP
Too fond of me to let me goA
I had to tear myself awayP
And left her stolid in my woeA
-
So rose the dream so passed the nightL
When distant in the darksome glenR
Approaching up the sombre heightL
I heard the solid march of menR
Till over stubble over swardS
And fields where lay the golden sheafT
I saw the lantern of the guardU
Advancing with the night reliefT
-
'Halt Who goes there ' My challenge cryV
It rings along the watchful lineM
'Relief ' I hear a voice replyV
'Advance and give the countersign '-
With bayonet at the charge I waitW
The corporal gives the mystic spellA
With arms aport I charge my mateW
Then onward pass and all is wellA
-
But in the tent that night awakeX
I ask if in the fray I fallA
Can I the mystic answer makeX
When the angelic sentries callA
And pray that Heaven may so ordainY
Where'er I go what fate be mineM
Whether in pleasure or in painY
I still may have the countersignY

Anonymous Americas



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