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