The Witch Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBBBCCDDEEFFGGHHII JJKKLLEEBBMMNONFFBBI IIPPAAQQIITrapped amid the woods with guile | A |
They've led her bound in fetters vile | A |
To death a deadlier sorceress | B |
Than any born for earth's distress | B |
Since first the winner of the fleece | B |
Bore home the Colchian witch to Greece | B |
Seven months with snare and gin | C |
They've sought the maid o'erwise within | C |
The forest's labyrinthine shade | D |
The lonely woodman half afraid | D |
Far off her ragged form has seen | E |
Sauntering down the alleys green | E |
Or crouched in godless prayer alone | F |
At eve before a Druid stone | F |
But now the bitter chase is won | G |
The quarry's caught her magic's done | G |
The bishop's brought her strongest spell | H |
To naught with candle book and bell | H |
With holy water splashed upon her | I |
She goes to burning and dishonour | I |
Too deeply damned to feel her shame | J |
For though beneath her hair of flame | J |
Her thoughtful head be lowly bowed | K |
It droops for meditation proud | K |
Impenitent and pondering yet | L |
Things no memory can forget | L |
Starry wonders she has seen | E |
Brooding in the wildwood green | E |
With holiness For who can say | B |
In what strange crew she loved to play | B |
What demons or what gods of old | M |
Deep mysteries unto her have told | M |
At dead of night in worship bent | N |
At ruined shrines magnificent | O |
Or how the quivering will she sent | N |
Alone into the great alone | F |
Where all is loved and all is known | F |
Who now lifts up her maiden eyes | B |
And looks around with soft surprise | B |
Upon the noisy crowded square | I |
The city oafs that nod and stare | I |
The bishop's court that gathers there | I |
The faggots and the blackened stake | P |
Where sinners die for justice' sake | P |
Now she is set upon the pile | A |
The mob grows still a little while | A |
Till lo before the eager folk | Q |
Up curls a thin blue line of smoke | Q |
Alas the full fed burghers cry | I |
That evil loveliness must die | I |
C. S. Lewis
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