Poet Francis Thompson

Francis Thompson

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Epilogue--to The Poet's Sitter Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BBCCDD EFGHDD IIJJ DHKKLLDDHHMMNNOOODDD PPPQQRRSOO TTJJUUHHH

Wherein he excuseth himself for the manner of the PortraitA
-
-
Alas now wilt thou chide and say I deemB
My figured descant hides the simple themeB
Or in another wise reproving sayC
I ill observe thine own high reticent wayC
Oh pardon that I testify of theeD
What thou couldst never speak nor others beD
-
Yet for the book is not more innocentE
Of what the gazer's eyes makes so intentF
She will but smile perhaps that I find my fairG
Sufficing scope in such strait theme as herH
'Bird of the sun the stars' wild honey beeD
Is your gold browsing done so thoroughlyD
Or sinks a singed wing to narrow nest in me '-
Thus she might say for not this lowly veinI
Out deprecates her deprecating strainI
Oh you mistake dear lady quite nor knowJ
Ether was strict as you its loftiness as lowJ
-
The heavens do not advance their majestyD
Over their marge beyond his emperyH
The ensigns of the wind are not unfurledK
His reign is hooped in by the pale o' the worldK
'Tis not the continent but the containedL
That pleasaunce makes or prison loose or chainedL
Too much alike or little captives meD
For all oppression is captivityD
What groweth to its height demands no higherH
The limit limits not but the desireH
Give but my spirit its desired scopeM
A giant in a pismire I not gropeM
Deny it and an ant with on my backN
A firmament the skiey vault will crackN
Our minds make their own Termini nor callO
The issuing circumscriptions great or smallO
So high constructing Nature lessons to us allO
Who optics gives accommodate to seeD
Your countenance large as looks the sun to beD
And distant greatness less than near humanityD
-
We therefore with a sure instinctive mindP
An equal spaciousness of bondage findP
In confines far or near of air or our own kindP
Our looks and longings which affront the starsQ
Most richly bruised against their golden barsQ
Delighted captives of their flaming spearsR
Find a restraint restrainless which appearsR
As that is and so simply naturalS
In you the fair detention freedom callO
And overscroll with fancies the loved prison wallO
-
Such sweet captivity and only suchT
In you as in those golden bars we touchT
Our gazes for sufficing limits knowJ
The firmament above your face belowJ
Our longings are contented with the skiesU
Contented with the heaven and your eyesU
My restless wings that beat the whole world throughH
Flag on the confines of the sun and youH
And find the human pale remoter of the twoH

Francis Thompson



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