The Welcome Home. (from Gilbert) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEBEB FGFGHIJI KLKLMNMM OPOQBRBA MKMKMSMS TLTLUVWV XLXLJYJY ZA2ZQB2C2B2C2 MD2ME2EF2EF2 G2H2G2H2I2J2I2J2| Above the city hangs the moon | A |
| Some clouds are boding rain | B |
| Gilbert erewhile on journey gone | C |
| To night comes home again | D |
| Ten years have passed above his head | E |
| Each year has brought him gain | B |
| His prosperous life has smoothly sped | E |
| Without or tear or stain | B |
| - | |
| 'Tis somewhat late the city clocks | F |
| Twelve deep vibrations toll | G |
| As Gilbert at the portal knocks | F |
| Which is his journey's goal | G |
| The street is still and desolate | H |
| The moon hid by a cloud | I |
| Gilbert impatient will not wait | J |
| His second knock peals loud | I |
| - | |
| The clocks are hushed there's not a light | K |
| In any window nigh | L |
| And not a single planet bright | K |
| Looks from the clouded sky | L |
| The air is raw the rain descends | M |
| A bitter north wind blows | N |
| His cloak the traveller scarce defends | M |
| Will not the door unclose | M |
| - | |
| He knocks the third time and the last | O |
| His summons now they hear | P |
| Within a footstep hurrying fast | O |
| Is heard approaching near | Q |
| The bolt is drawn the clanking chain | B |
| Falls to the floor of stone | R |
| And Gilbert to his heart will strain | B |
| His wife and children soon | A |
| - | |
| The hand that lifts the latchet holds | M |
| A candle to his sight | K |
| And Gilbert on the step beholds | M |
| A woman clad in white | K |
| Lo water from her dripping dress | M |
| Runs on the streaming floor | S |
| From every dark and clinging tress | M |
| The drops incessant pour | S |
| - | |
| There's none but her to welcome him | T |
| She holds the candle high | L |
| And motionless in form and limb | T |
| Stands cold and silent nigh | L |
| There's sand and sea weed on her robe | U |
| Her hollow eyes are blind | V |
| No pulse in such a frame can throb | W |
| No life is there defined | V |
| - | |
| Gilbert turned ashy white but still | X |
| His lips vouchsafed no cry | L |
| He spurred his strength and master will | X |
| To pass the figure by | L |
| But moving slow it faced him straight | J |
| It would not flinch nor quail | Y |
| Then first did Gilbert's strength abate | J |
| His stony firmness quail | Y |
| - | |
| He sank upon his knees and prayed | Z |
| The shape stood rigid there | A2 |
| He called aloud for human aid | Z |
| No human aid was near | Q |
| An accent strange did thus repeat | B2 |
| Heaven's stern but just decree | C2 |
| The measure thou to her didst mete | B2 |
| To thee shall measured be | C2 |
| - | |
| Gilbert sprang from his bended knees | M |
| By the pale spectre pushed | D2 |
| And wild as one whom demons seize | M |
| Up the hall staircase rushed | E2 |
| Entered his chamber near the bed | E |
| Sheathed steel and fire arms hung | F2 |
| Impelled by maniac purpose dread | E |
| He chose those stores among | F2 |
| - | |
| Across his throat a keen edged knife | G2 |
| With vigorous hand he drew | H2 |
| The wound was wide his outraged life | G2 |
| Rushed rash and redly through | H2 |
| And thus died by a shameful death | I2 |
| A wise and worldly man | J2 |
| Who never drew but selfish breath | I2 |
| Since first his life began | J2 |
Charlotte Bronte
(1)
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