Mary Smith Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDD EEFCGGDD HHIIJJDD KKLLMMDD NNOOPPDD QQRRSSDD CCTTUUDD VVUUWWDD

Away down East where I was reared amongst my Yankee kithA
There used to live a pretty girl whose name was Mary SmithA
And though it's many years since last I saw that pretty girlB
And though I feel I'm sadly worn by Western strife and whirlB
Still oftentimes I think about the old familiar placeC
Which someway seemed the brighter for Miss Mary's pretty faceC
And in my heart I feel once more revivified the glowD
I used to feel in those old times when I was Mary's beauD
-
I saw her home from singing school she warbled like a birdE
A sweeter voice than hers for song or speech I never heardE
She was soprano in the choir and I a solemn bassF
And when we unisoned our voices filled that holy placeC
The tenor and the alto never had the slightest chanceG
For Mary's upper register made every heart string danceG
And as for me I shall not brag and yet I'd have you knowD
I sung a very likely bass when I was Mary's beauD
-
On Friday nights I'd drop around to make my weekly callH
And though I came to visit her I'd have to see 'em allH
With Mary's mother sitting here and Mary's father thereI
The conversation never flagged so far as I'm awareI
Sometimes I'd hold her worsted sometimes we'd play at gamesJ
Sometimes dissect the apples which we'd named each other's namesJ
Oh how I loathed the shrill toned clock that told me when to goD
'Twas ten o'clock at half past eight when I was Mary's beauD
-
Now there was Luther Baker because he'd come of ageK
And thought himself some pumpkins because he drove the stageK
He fancied he could cut me out but Mary was my friendL
Elsewise I'm sure the issue had had a tragic endL
For Luther Baker was a man I never could abideM
And when it came to Mary either he or I had diedM
I merely cite this instance incidentally to showD
That I was quite in earnest when I was Mary's beauD
-
How often now those sights those pleasant sights recur againN
The little township that was all the world I knew of thenN
The meeting house upon the hill the tavern just beyondO
Old deacon Packard's general store the sawmill by the pondO
The village elms I vainly sought to conquer in my questP
Of that surpassing trophy the golden oriole's nestP
And last of all those visions that come back from long agoD
The pretty face that thrilled my soul when I was Mary's beauD
-
Hush gentle wife there is no need a pang should vex your heartQ
'T is many years since fate ordained that she and I should partQ
To each a true maturer love came in good time and yetR
It brought not with its nobler grace the power to forgetR
And would you fain begrudge me now the sentimental joyS
That comes of recollections of my sparkings when a boyS
I warrant me that were your heart put to the rack 't would showD
That it had predilections when I was Mary's beauD
-
And Mary should these lines of mine seek out your biding placeC
God grant they bring the old sweet smile back to your pretty faceC
God grant they bring you thoughts of me not as I am to dayT
With faltering step and brimming eyes and aspect grimly grayT
But thoughts that picture me as fair and full of life and gleeU
As we were in the olden times as you shall always beU
Think of me ever Mary as the boy you used to knowD
When time was fleet and life was sweet and I was Mary's beauD
-
Dear hills of old New England look down with tender eyesV
Upon one little lonely grave that in your bosom liesV
For in that cradle sleeps a child who was so fair to seeU
God yearned to have unto Himself the joy she brought to meU
And bid your winds sing soft and low the song of other daysW
When hand in hand and heart to heart we went our pleasant waysW
Ah me but could I sing again that song of long agoD
Instead of this poor idle song of being Mary's beauD

Eugene Field



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