An Old Man To His Sleeping Young Bride Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABACDADA AEAEFGFG HIIIDJDJ KIKIALAL MNMNDIDIAs when the old moon lighted by the tender | A |
And radiant crescent of the new is seen | B |
And for a moment's space suggests the splendor | A |
Of what in its full prime it once has been | C |
So on my waning years you cast the glory | D |
Of youth and pleasure for a little hour | A |
And life again seems like an unread story | D |
And joy and hope both stir me with their power | A |
- | |
Can blooming June be fond of bleak December | A |
I dare not wait to hear my heart reply | E |
I will forget the question and remember | A |
Alone the priceless feast spread for mine eye | E |
That radiant hair that flows across the pillows | F |
Like shimmering sunbeams over drifts of snow | G |
Those heaving breasts like undulating billows | F |
Whose dangers or delights but Love can know | G |
- | |
That crimson mouth from which sly Cupid borrowed | H |
The pattern for his bow nor asked consent | I |
That smooth unruffled brow which has not sorrowed | I |
All these are mine should I not be content | I |
Yet are these treasures mine or only lent me | D |
And who shall claim them when I pass away | J |
Oh jealous Fate to torture and torment me | D |
With thoughts like these in my too fleeting day | J |
- | |
For while I gained the prize which all were seeking | K |
And won you with the ardor of my quest | I |
The bitter truth I know without your speaking | K |
You only let me love you at the best | I |
E'en while I lean and count my riches over | A |
And view with gloating eyes your priceless charms | L |
I know somewhere there dwells the unnamed lover | A |
Who yet shall clasp you willing in his arms | L |
- | |
And while my hands stray through your clustering tresses | M |
And while my lips are pressed upon your own | N |
This unseen lover waits for such caresses | M |
As my poor hungering clay has never known | N |
And when some day between you and your duty | D |
A green grave lies his love shall make you glad | I |
And you shall crown him with your splendid beauty | D |
Ah God ah God 'tis this way men go mad | I |
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
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