A Vision Out West Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDEFFGG HHIIJJKK LLMMNNOOP QQRROO SSFFTTUUVV WWXYZZUU A2A2DDB2B2C2D2E2E2 F2F2G2G2H2H2I2I2EEJ2 J2K2L2QQM2M2 N2O2P2P2

Far reaching down's a solid sea sunk everlastingly to restA
And yet whose billows seem to be for ever heaving toward the westA
The tiny fieldmice make their nests the summer insects buzz and humB
Among the hollows and the crests of this wide ocean stricken dumbB
Whose rollers move for ever on though sullenly with fettered willsC
To break in voiceless wrath upon the crumbled bases of far hillsC
Where rugged outposts meet the shock stand fast and hurl them back againD
An avalanche of earth and rock in tumbled fragments on the plainE
But never heeding the rebuff to right and left they kiss the feetF
Of hanging cliff and bouldered bluff till on the farther side they meetF
And once again resume their march to where the afternoon sun dipsG
Toward the west and Heaven's arch salutes the Earth with ruddy lipsG
-
Such is the scene that greets the eye wide sweep of plain to left and rightH
In front low hills that seem to lie wrapped in a veil of yellow lightH
Low peaks that through the summer haze frown from their fancied altitudeI
As some small potentate might gaze upon a ragged multitudeI
Thus does the battlemented pile of high built crags all weather scarredJ
Where grass land stretches mile on mile keep scornful solitary guardJ
Where the sweet spell is not yet broke while from her wind swept sun kissed dreamK
Man's cruel touch has not yet woke this Land where silence reigns supremeK
-
Not the grim silence of a cave some vaulted stalactited roomL
Where feeble candle shadows wave fantastically through the gloomL
But restful silence calm repose the spirit of these sky bound plainsM
Tempers the restless blood that flows too fiery through the swelling veinsM
Breathes a faint message in the ear bringing the weary traveller peaceN
Whispers Take heart and never fear for soon the pilgrimage will ceaseN
Beat not thy wings against the cage Seek not to burst the padlocked doorO
That leads to depths thou canst not gauge Life is all thine why seek for moreO
Read in the slow sun's drooping disc an answer to the thoughts that vexP
Ponder it well and never risk the substance for its dim reflex '-
-
Such is the silent sermon told to those who care to read this pageQ
Where once a mighty ocean rolled in some dim long forgotten ageQ
Here where the Mitchell grass waves green the never weary ebb and flowR
Of glassy surges once was seen a thousand thousand years agoR
To such a sum those dead years mount that Time has grown too weary forO
The keeping of an endless count and long ago forgot their scoreO
-
But now when hustled by the wind fast flying fleecy cloud banks driftS
Across the sky where silver skinned the pale moon shines whene'er they liftS
And throws broad patches in strange shapes of light and shade that seem to meetF
In dusky coastline where sharp capes jut far into a winding sheetF
Of ghostly glimmering silver rays that struggle 'neath an inky ledgeT
Of driving cloud and fill deep bays rent in the shadow's ragged edgeT
Sprung from the gloomy depths of Time faint shapes patrol the spectral seaU
Primeval phantom forms that climb the lifeless billows silentlyU
Trailing along their slimy length in thirst for one another's bloodV
Writhing in ponderous trials of strength as once they did before the floodV
-
They sink as driven from the North by straining oar and favouring galeW
A misty barge repels the froth which hides her with a sparkling veilW
High curled the sharpened beak doth stand slicing the waters in the leadX
The low hull follows thickly manned by dim dead men of Asian breedY
Swift is her passage short the view the wan moon's restless rays revealZ
Of dusky fierce eyed warrior crew of fluttering cloth and flashing steelZ
Of forms that mouldered ages past ere from recesses of the seaU
With earthquake throes this land was cast in Nature's writhing agonyU
-
As the warm airs of Spring time chase reluctant snows from off the rangeA2
And plant fresh verdure in their place so the dimvisioned shadows changeA2
And glimpses of what yet shall be bid the past fly beyond all kenD
While rising from futurity appear vast colonies of menD
Who from the sea coast hills have brought far quarried spoils to build proud homesB2
Of high piled palaces all wrought in sloping roofs and arching domesB2
Smooth pillared hall or cool arcade and slenderest sky piercing spireC2
Where the late sinking moon has laid her tender tints of mellow fireD2
And golden paves the spacious ways where o'er the smoothen granite flagsE2
The lightning driven car conveys its freight with force that never lagsE2
-
A goodly city where no stain of engine smoke or factory grimeF2
Blemishes walls that will retain their pristine pureness for all timeF2
Lying as one might take a gem and set it in some strange deviceG2
Of precious metal and might hem it round with stones of lesser priceG2
So from encircling fields doth spring this city where in emerald sheenH2
Man hath taught Nature how to bring a mantle of perennial greenH2
Hewing canals whose banks are fringed by willows bending deeply downI2
To waters flowing yellow tinged beneath the moon toward the townI2
Filling from mighty reservoirs sunk in the hollows of the plainE
That flood the fields without a pause though Summer should withhold her rainE
Labour is but an empty name to those who dwell within this landJ2
For they have boldly learnt to tame the lightning's flash with iron handJ2
That Force the dartings from whose eyes not even gods might brave and liveK2
The blasting essence of the skies proud Jupiter's prerogativeL2
His flashing pinions closely clipt pent in a cunning fashioned cageQ
Of all his flaming glory stript these men direct his tempered rageQ
A bondman at their idlest breath with silent energy he speedsM2
From dawn of life to hour of death to execute their slightest needsM2
-
Slow to her couch the moon doth creep but going melts in sparkling tearsN2
Of dew because we may not keep this vision of the future yearsO2
Swiftly before the sunrise gleam I watch it melting in the mornP2
The snowy city of my dream the home of nations yet unbornP2

Barcroft Henry Thomas Boake



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