Cadet Grey: Canto Iii Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A ABABACACC A DEDEDFDFF A GHGHGIGII A AHHHAJAJJ A KLKLKMKMM A HNHNHOHPP A QRQRQSQSS A TUTUTVTVV V WXWYWIWII V ZVZVZPVPP V A2AA2AA2HA2HH V B2TB2C2B2D2B2D2D2 V LE2LE2LF2LF2F2 A G2H2G2H2G2HG2HH

IA
-
Where the sun sinks through leagues of arid skyA
Where the sun dies o'er leagues of arid plainB
Where the dead bones of wasted rivers lieA
Trailed from their channels in yon mountain chainB
Where day by day naught takes the wearied eyeA
But the low rimming mountains sharply basedC
On the dead levels moving far or nighA
As the sick vision wanders o'er the wasteC
But ever day by day against the sunset tracedC
-
IIA
-
There moving through a poisonous cloud that stingsD
With dust of alkali the trampling bandE
Of Indian ponies ride on dusky wingsD
The red marauders of the Western landE
Heavy with spoil they seek the trail that bringsD
Their flaunting lances to that sheltered bankF
Where lie their lodges and the river singsD
Forgetful of the plain beyond that drankF
Its life blood where the wasted caravan sankF
-
IIIA
-
They brought with them the thief's ignoble spoilG
The beggar's dole the greed of chiffonnierH
The scum of camps the implements of toilG
Snatched from dead hands to rust as useless hereH
All they could rake or glean from hut or soilG
Piled their lean ponies with the jackdaw's greedI
For vacant glitter It were scarce a foilG
To all this tinsel that one feathered reedI
Bore on its barb two scalps that freshly bleedI
-
IVA
-
They brought with them alas a wounded foeA
Bound hand and foot yet nursed with cruel careH
Lest that in death he might escape one throeH
They had decreed his living flesh should bearH
A youthful officer by one foul blowA
Of treachery surprised yet fighting stillJ
Amid his ambushed train calm as the snowA
Above him hopeless yet content to spillJ
His blood with theirs and fighting but to killJ
-
VA
-
He had fought nobly and in that brief spellK
Had won the awe of those rude border menL
Who gathered round him and beside him fellK
In loyal faith and silence save that whenL
By smoke embarrassed and near sight as wellK
He paused to wipe his eyeglass and decideM
Its nearer focus there arose a yellK
Of approbation and Bob Barker criedM
Wade in Dundreary tossed his cap and diedM
-
VIA
-
Their sole survivor now his captors bearH
Him all unconscious and beside the streamN
Leave him to rest meantime the squaws prepareH
The stake for sacrifice nor wakes a gleamN
Of pity in those Furies' eyes that glareH
Expectant of the torture yet alwayO
His steadfast spirit shines and mocks them thereH
With peace they know not till at close of dayP
On his dull ear there thrills a whispered GreyP
-
VIIA
-
He starts Was it a trick Had angels kindQ
Touched with compassion some weak woman's breastR
Such things he'd read of Faintly to his mindQ
Came Pocahontas pleading for her guestR
But then this voice though soft was still inclinedQ
To baritone A squaw in ragged gownS
Stood near him frowning hatred Was he blindQ
Whose eye was this beneath that beetling frownS
The frown was painted but that wink meant BrownS
-
VIIIA
-
Hush for your life and mine the thongs are cutT
He whispers in yon thicket stands my horseU
One dash I follow close as if to glutT
My own revenge yet bar the others' courseU
Now And 'tis done Grey speeds Brown follows butT
Ere yet they reach the shade Grey fainting reelsV
Yet not before Brown's circling arms close shutT
His in uplifting him Anon he feelsV
A horse beneath him bound and hears the rattling heelsV
-
IXV
-
Then rose a yell of baffled hate and sprangW
Headlong the savages in swift pursuitX
Though speed the fugitives they hope to hangW
Hot on their heels like wolves with tireless footY
Long is the chase Brown hears with inward pangW
The short hard panting of his gallant steedI
Beneath its double burden vainly rangW
Both voice and spur The heaving flanks may bleedI
Yet comes the sequel that they still must heedI
-
XV
-
Brown saw it reined his steed dismounting stoodZ
Calm and inflexible Old chap you seeV
There is but ONE escape You know it GoodZ
There is ONE man to take it You are heV
The horse won't carry double If he couldZ
'Twould but protract this bother I shall stayP
I've business with these devils they with meV
I will occupy them till you get awayP
Hush quick time forward There God bless you GreyP
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XIV
-
But as he finished Grey slipped to his feetA2
Calm as his ancestors in voice and eyeA
You do forget yourself when you competeA2
With him whose RIGHT it is to stay and dieA
That's not YOUR duty Please regain your seatA2
And take my ORDERS since I rank you hereH
Mount and rejoin your men and my defeatA2
Report at quarters Take this letter ne'erH
Give it to aught but HER nor let aught interfereH
-
XIIV
-
And shamed and blushing Brown the letter tookB2
Obediently and placed it in his pocketT
Then drawing forth another said I lookB2
For death as you do wherefore take this locketC2
And letter Here his comrade's hand he shookB2
In silence Should we both together fallD2
Some other man but here all speech forsookB2
His lips as ringing cheerily o'er allD2
He heard afar his own dear bugle callD2
-
XIIIV
-
'Twas his command and succor but e'en thenL
Grey fainted with poor Brown who had forgotE2
He likewise had been wounded and both menL
Were picked up quite unconscious of their lotE2
Long lay they in extremity and whenL
They both grew stronger and once more exchangedF2
Old vows and memories one common denL
In hospital was theirs and free they rangedF2
Awaiting orders but no more estrangedF2
-
XIVA
-
And yet 'twas strange nor can I end my taleG2
Without this moral to be fair and justH2
They never sought to know why each did failG2
The prompt fulfillment of the other's trustH2
It was suggested they could not availG2
Themselves of either letter since they wereH
Duly dispatched to their address by mailG2
By Captain X who knew Miss Rover fairH
Now meant stout Mistress Bloggs of Blank Blank SquareH

Bret Harte



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