To Postumus Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB CCDD EEFF GGHH IIJJ KKII LLMM| O Postumus my Postumus the years are gliding past | A |
| And piety will never check the wrinkles coming fast | A |
| The ravages of time old age's swift advance has made | B |
| And death which unimpeded comes to bear us to the shade | B |
| - | |
| Old friend although the tearless Pluto you may strive to please | C |
| And seek each year with thrice one hundred bullocks to appease | C |
| Who keeps the thrice huge Geryon and Tityus his slaves | D |
| Imprisoned fast forevermore with cold and sombre waves | D |
| - | |
| Yet must that flood so terrible be sailed by mortals all | E |
| Whether perchance we may be kings and live in royal hall | E |
| Or lowly peasants struggling long with poverty and dearth | F |
| Still must we cross who live upon the favors of the earth | F |
| - | |
| And all in vain from bloody war and contest we are free | G |
| And from the waves that hoarsely break upon the Adrian Sea | G |
| For our frail bodies all in vain our helpless terror grows | H |
| In gloomy autumn seasons when the baneful south wind blows | H |
| - | |
| Alas the black Cocytus wandering to the world below | I |
| That languid river to behold we of this earth must go | I |
| To see the grim Danaides that miserable race | J |
| And Sisyphus of olus condemned to endless chase | J |
| - | |
| Behind you must you leave your home and land and wife so dear | K |
| And of the trees except the hated cypresses you rear | K |
| And which around the funeral piles as signs of mourning grow | I |
| Not one will follow you their short lived master there below | I |
| - | |
| Your worthier heir the precious C cuban shall drink galore | L |
| Now with a hundred keys preserved and guarded in your store | L |
| And stain the pavements pouring out in waste the nectar proud | M |
| Better than that with which the pontiffs' feasts have been endowed | M |
Eugene Field
(1)
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