The Christening Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBBBCCDDEEFGHHIIGJ KKLLFFMNOO| Arrayed a half angelic sight | A |
| In nests of pure baptismal white | A |
| The mother to the font doth bring | B |
| The little helpless nameless thing | B |
| With hushes soft and mild caressing | B |
| At once to get a name and blessing | B |
| Close to the babe the priest doth stand | C |
| The sacred water at his hand | C |
| That must assoil the soul within | D |
| From every stain of Adam's sin | D |
| The Infant eyes the mystic scenes | E |
| Nor knows what all this wonder means | E |
| And now he smiles as if to say | F |
| 'I am a Christian made to day ' | G |
| Now frighted clings to nurse's hold | H |
| Shrinking from the water cold | H |
| Whose virtues rightly understood | I |
| Are as Bethesda's waters good | I |
| Strange words 'The World the Flesh the Devil ' | G |
| Poor Babe what can it know of evil | J |
| But we must silently adore | K |
| Mysterious truths and not explore | K |
| Enough for him in after times | L |
| When he shall read these artless rhymes | L |
| If looking back upon this day | F |
| With easy conscience he can say | F |
| 'I have in part redeemed the pledge | M |
| Of my baptismal privilege | N |
| And vow and more will strive to flee | O |
| All that my sponsors kind renounced for me | O |
Charles Lamb
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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