Shakespeare's Ghost - A Parody Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCCDEFGHIJAKLMNOAPC QRSTCUVWXCCCYZIA2B2C 2CHGD2RE2GF2G2H2| I too at length discerned great Hercules' energy mighty | A |
| Saw his shade He himself was not alas to be seen | B |
| Round him were heard like the screaming of birds | C |
| the screams of tragedians | C |
| And with the baying of dogs barked dramaturgists around | D |
| There stood the giant in all his terrors his bow was extended | E |
| And the bolt fixed on the string steadily aimed at the heart | F |
| What still hardier action unhappy one dost thou now venture | G |
| Thus to descend to the grave of the departed souls here | H |
| 'Tis to see Tiresias I come to ask of the prophet | I |
| Where I the buskin of old that now has vanished may find | J |
| If they believe not in Nature nor the old Grecian but vainly | A |
| Wilt thou convey up from hence that dramaturgy to them | K |
| Oh as for Nature once more to tread our stage she has ventured | L |
| Ay and stark naked beside so that each rib we count | M |
| What Is the buskin of old to be seen in truth on your stage then | N |
| Which even I came to fetch out of mid Tartarus' gloom | O |
| There is now no more of that tragic bustle for scarcely | A |
| Once in a year on the boards moves thy great soul harness clad | P |
| Doubtless 'tis well Philosophy now has refined your sensations | C |
| And from the humor so bright fly the affections so black | Q |
| Ay there is nothing that beats a jest that is stolid and barren | R |
| But then e'en sorrow can please if 'tis sufficiently moist | S |
| But do ye also exhibit the graceful dance of Thalia | T |
| Joined to the solemn step with which Melpomene moves | C |
| Neither For naught we love but what is Christian and moral | U |
| And what is popular too homely domestic and plain | V |
| What Does no Caesar does no Achilles appear on your stage now | W |
| Not an Andromache e'en not an Orestes my friend | X |
| No there is naught to be seen there but parsons | C |
| and syndics of commerce | C |
| Secretaries perchance ensigns and majors of horse | C |
| But my good friend pray tell me what can such people e'er meet with | Y |
| That can be truly called great what that is great can they do | Z |
| What Why they form cabals they lend upon mortgage they pocket | I |
| Silver spoons and fear not e'en in the stocks to be placed | A2 |
| Whence do ye then derive the destiny great and gigantic | B2 |
| Which raises man up on high e'en when it grinds him to dust | C2 |
| All mere nonsense Ourselves our worthy acquaintances also | C |
| And our sorrows and wants seek we and find we too here | H |
| But all this ye possess at home both apter and better | G |
| Wherefore then fly from yourselves if 'tis yourselves that ye seek | D2 |
| Be not offended great hero for that is a different question | R |
| Ever is destiny blind ever is righteous the bard | E2 |
| Then one meets on your stage your own contemptible nature | G |
| While 'tis in vain one seeks there nature enduring and great | F2 |
| There the poet is host and act the fifth is the reckoning | G2 |
| And when crime becomes sick virtue sits down to the feast | H2 |
Friedrich Schiller
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