May-day, 1837 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCBDAEAEFFA GHGHIJIJFFA KLKLMNONFFP QRQSTUVUFFP WPXPYDZDFFI | A |
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MAY DAY is come While yet the unwillng Spring | B |
Checks with capricious frown the opening year | C |
Onward where bleak winds have been whispering | B |
The punctual Hours their ancient playmate bear | D |
But those who long have look'd for thee stand by | A |
Like men who welcome back a friend bereaved | E |
And camnot smile because his sadden'd eye | A |
Doth mutely tell them how his soul is grieved | E |
Even thus too greet thine alter'd face to day | F |
Thou friend in mourning garb chill melancholy May | F |
II | A |
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To thee the first and readiest smiles of Earth | G |
Lovely with life renew'd were always given | H |
To thee belong'd the sunshine and the mirth | G |
Which bathed all Nature with a glow from Heaven | H |
To thee the joy of Childhood's earnest heart | I |
His shouting song and light elastic tread | J |
His brows high arch'd and laughing lips apart | I |
Bright as the wreath that bound his rosy head | J |
Thou wert of Innocence the holiday | F |
Thou garlanded and glad thou ever blooming May | F |
III | A |
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Yet will I not reproach thee for thy change | K |
Closed be the flower and leafless be the tree | L |
Smile not as thou wert wont but sad and strange | K |
And joyless let thy tardy coming be | L |
So shall I miss those infant voices less | M |
Calling each other through the garden bowers | N |
Meeting and parting in wild happiness | O |
Leading a light dance thro' the sunny hours | N |
Those little mirthful hearts who far away | F |
Breathe amid cloud capp'd hills a yet more wintry May | F |
IV | P |
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Ah boys your play ground is a desert spot | Q |
Revisited alone and bathed with tears | R |
And where ye pass your May day knoweth not | Q |
The mother who hath watch'd your dawning years | S |
Mine is no more the joy to see ye come | T |
And deem each step hath some peculiar grace | U |
Yours is no more the mother's welcome home | V |
Smiling at each beloved familiar face | U |
And I an thankfiul that this dreary May | F |
Recals not save by name that brighter happier day | F |
V | P |
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I should have felt more mock'd if there had been | W |
More peace and sunshine round me had the grove | P |
Clad in transparent leaves of tender green | X |
Been full of murm'ring sounds of Nature's love | P |
I should have wept more bitterly beneath | Y |
The frail laburnum trees so faint and fair | D |
I should have sicken'd at the lilac's breath | Z |
Thrown by the warm sun on the silent air | D |
But now with stern regret I wend my way | F |
I know thee not thou cold and unfamiliar May | F |
Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton
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