The Stage-driver's Story Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCD EFGH IJDK DHLD JMLN MOKN HDPD MQLH JRDH GLDF| It was the stage driver's story as he stood with his back to the wheelers | A |
| Quietly flecking his whip and turning his quid of tobacco | B |
| While on the dusty road and blent with the rays of the moonlight | C |
| We saw the long curl of his lash and the juice of tobacco descending | D |
| - | |
| Danger Sir I believe you indeed I may say on that subject | E |
| You your existence might put to the hazard and turn of a wager | F |
| I have seen danger Oh no not me sir indeed I assure you | G |
| 'Twas only the man with the dog that is sitting alone in yon wagon | H |
| - | |
| It was the Geiger Grade a mile and a half from the summit | I |
| Black as your hat was the night and never a star in the heavens | J |
| Thundering down the grade the gravel and stones we sent flying | D |
| Over the precipice side a thousand feet plumb to the bottom | K |
| - | |
| Half way down the grade I felt sir a thrilling and creaking | D |
| Then a lurch to one side as we hung on the bank of the canyon | H |
| Then looking up the road I saw in the distance behind me | L |
| The off hind wheel of the coach just loosed from its axle and following | D |
| - | |
| One glance alone I gave then gathered together my ribbons | J |
| Shouted and flung them outspread on the straining necks of my cattle | M |
| Screamed at the top of my voice and lashed the air in my frenzy | L |
| While down the Geiger Grade on three wheels the vehicle thundered | N |
| - | |
| Speed was our only chance when again came the ominous rattle | M |
| Crack and another wheel slipped away and was lost in the darkness | O |
| Two only now were left yet such was our fearful momentum | K |
| Upright erect and sustained on two wheels the vehicle thundered | N |
| - | |
| As some huge boulder unloosed from its rocky shelf on the mountain | H |
| Drives before it the hare and the timorous squirrel far leaping | D |
| So down the Geiger Grade rushed the Pioneer coach and before it | P |
| Leaped the wild horses and shrieked in advance of the danger impending | D |
| - | |
| But to be brief in my tale Again ere we came to the level | M |
| Slipped from its axle a wheel so that to be plain in my statement | Q |
| A matter of twelve hundred yards or more as the distance may be | L |
| We traveled upon one wheel until we drove up to the station | H |
| - | |
| Then sir we sank in a heap but picking myself from the ruins | J |
| I heard a noise up the grade and looking I saw in the distance | R |
| The three wheels following still like moons on the horizon whirling | D |
| Till circling they gracefully sank on the road at the side of the station | H |
| - | |
| This is my story sir a trifle indeed I assure you | G |
| Much more perchance might be said but I hold him of all men most lightly | L |
| Who swerves from the truth in his tale No thank you Well since you are pressing | D |
| Perhaps I don't care if I do you may give me the same Jim no sugar | F |
Bret Harte (francis)
(1)
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