The Toll Of The Bells Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCCBDEEF GHHIGG A JKKJLMML NOOGNG| I | A |
| - | |
| We gave them at the harbour every token | B |
| The ritual of the guns and at the mast | C |
| The flag half high and as the cortege passed | C |
| All that remained by our dumb hearts unspoken | B |
| And what within the band's low requiem | D |
| In footfall or in head uncovered fails | E |
| Of final tribute shall at altar rails | E |
| Around a chancel soon be offered them | F |
| - | |
| And now a throbbing organ prelude dwells | G |
| On the eternal story of the sea | H |
| Following in undertone the Litany | H |
| Ends like a sobbing wave and now begins | I |
| A tale of life's fore shortened days now swells | G |
| The tidal triumph of Corinthians | G |
| - | |
| II | A |
| - | |
| But neither trumpet blast nor the hoarse din | J |
| Of guns nor the drooped signals from those mute | K |
| Banners could find a language to salute | K |
| The frozen bodies that the ship brought in | J |
| To day the vaunt is with the grave Sorrow | L |
| Has raked up faith and burned it like a pile | M |
| Of driftwood scattering the ashes while | M |
| Cathedral voices anthemed God's To morrow | L |
| - | |
| Out from the belfries of the town there swung | N |
| Great notes that held the winds and the pagan roll | O |
| Of open seas within their measured toll | O |
| Only the bells' slow ocean tones that rose | G |
| And hushed upon the air knew how to tongue | N |
| That Iliad of Death upon the floes | G |
E. J. Pratt
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