The Priest's Brother Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCE FGFG HDHD IJIJ KLKL DMDM NOPO QFQF RSRS LTLU EMDM QVQV| Thrice in the night the priest arose | A |
| From broken sleep to kneel and pray | B |
| Hush poor ghost till the red cock crows | A |
| And I a Mass for your soul may say | B |
| - | |
| Thrice he went to the chamber cold | C |
| Where stiff and still uncoffin d | D |
| His brother lay his beads he told | C |
| And Rest poor spirit rest he said | E |
| - | |
| Thrice lay the old priest down to sleep | F |
| Before the morning bell should toll | G |
| But still he heard and woke to weep | F |
| The crying of his brother's soul | G |
| - | |
| All through the dark till dawn was pale | H |
| The priest tossed in his misery | D |
| With muffled ears to hide the wail | H |
| The voice of that ghost's agony | D |
| - | |
| At last the red cock flaps his wings | I |
| To trumpet of a day new born | J |
| The lark awaking soaring sings | I |
| Into the bosom of the morn | J |
| - | |
| The priest before the altar stands | K |
| He hears the spirit call for peace | L |
| He beats his breast with shaking hands | K |
| O Father grant this soul's release | L |
| - | |
| Most Just and Merciful set free | D |
| From Purgatory's awful night | M |
| This sinner's soul to fly to Thee | D |
| And rest for ever in Thy sight | M |
| - | |
| The Mass is over still the clerk | N |
| Kneels pallid in the morning glow | O |
| He said From evils of the dark | P |
| Oh bless me father ere you go | O |
| - | |
| Benediction that I may rest | Q |
| For all night did the Banshee weep | F |
| The priest raised up his hands and blest | Q |
| Go now my child and you will sleep | F |
| - | |
| The priest went down the vestry stair | R |
| He laid his vestments in their place | S |
| And turned a pale ghost met him there | R |
| With beads of pain upon his face | S |
| - | |
| Brother he said you have gained me peace | L |
| But why so long did you know my tears | T |
| And say no Mass for my soul's release | L |
| To save the torture of all those years | U |
| - | |
| God rest you brother the good priest said | E |
| No years have passed but a single night | M |
| He showed the body uncoffin d | D |
| And the six wax candles still alight | M |
| - | |
| The living flowers on the dead man's breast | Q |
| Blew out a perfume sweet and strong | V |
| The spirit paused ere he passed to rest | Q |
| God save your soul from a night so long | V |
Dora Sigerson Shorter
(1)
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About The Priest's Brother
The Priest's Brother is a poem by Dora Sigerson Shorter. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
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