Carthusians Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDED FGFG HIHI GJGJ GGGG KLKL MJMJ NKNK| Through what long heaviness assayed in what strange fire | A |
| Have these white monks been brought into the way of peace | B |
| Despising the world's wisdom and the world's desire | A |
| Which from the body of this death bring no release | B |
| - | |
| Within their austere walls no voices penetrate | C |
| A sacred silence only as of death obtains | D |
| Nothing finds entry here of loud or passionate | E |
| This quiet is the exceeding profit of their pains | D |
| - | |
| From many lands they came in divers fiery ways | F |
| Each knew at last the vanity of earthly joys | G |
| And one was crowned with thorns and one was crowned with bays | F |
| And each was tired at last of the world's foolish noise | G |
| - | |
| It was not theirs with Dominic to preach God's holy wrath | H |
| They were too stern to bear sweet Francis' gentle sway | I |
| Theirs was a higher calling and a steeper path | H |
| To dwell alone with Christ to meditate and pray | I |
| - | |
| A cloistered company they are companionless | G |
| None knoweth here the secret of his brother's heart | J |
| They are but come together for more loneliness | G |
| Whose bond is solitude and silence all their part | J |
| - | |
| O beatific life Who is there shall gainsay | G |
| Your great refusal's victory your little loss | G |
| Deserting vanity for the more perfect way | G |
| The sweeter service of the most dolorous Cross | G |
| - | |
| Ye shall prevail at last Surely ye shall prevail | K |
| Your silence and austerity shall win at last | L |
| Desire and mirth the world's ephemeral lights shall fail | K |
| The sweet star of your queen is never overcast | L |
| - | |
| We fling up flowers and laugh we laugh across the wine | M |
| With wine we dull our souls and careful strains of art | J |
| Our cups are polished skulls round which the roses twine | M |
| None dares to look at Death who leers and lurks apart | J |
| - | |
| Move on white company whom that has not sufficed | N |
| Our viols cease our wine is death our roses fail | K |
| Pray for our heedlessness O dwellers with the Christ | N |
| Though the world fall apart surely ye shall prevail | K |
Ernest Christopher Dowson
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