The Death-raven (from The Danish Of Oehlenslaeger) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDD EEFFGGHH IIJJKKLL JJBMNNDD OOPPEEQQ RRSSTTUU VVBBVVWW XXYYZZA2B2 C2C2D2D2E2E2F2G2 H2H2I2I2J2J2SS K2K2L2V K2K2K2V BBEBE K2K2L2JL2 M2M2N2N2O2O2GG P2P2JJQ2Q2R2R2 S2JT2T2MMU2U2 V2V2W2W2X2X2Y2Y2 Z2Z2W2W2W2W2EE W2W2AASSA3A3 EEA2A2YHW2W2 JJW2 W2W2B3B3 W2W2HHSSW2W2 C3C3A2A2K2K2D3D3 K2K2C3C3W2W2E3E3 C3C3SSF3F3SS SSW2W2W2W2W2W2 SSW2W2W2W2W2W2 GGA2A2W2W2JS2 K2K2EEW2W2SS K2K2W2W2MMK2K2 K2K2G3G3W2W2W2W2 C3C3C3C3W2W2SS C3C3W2W2H3H3SS W2W2C3C3W2W2K2K2 W2W2W2W2C3C3W2W2 W2W2I3I3D3D3J3J3 JJW2W2HHK2K2 JK3B3B3SSHH W2W2A3A3C3C3W2W2 W2W2K2K2K3L3LL W2W2W2W2JJW2W2 SSM3M3N3N3JJ E3E3K2K2W2W2E3E3 S2S2B2M3W2W2SS C3C3C3C3C3C3C3C3 M3M3HHW2W2W2W2 W2W2T2T2W2W2II HHO3O3E3E3C3C3

The silken sail which caught the summer breeze	A
Drove the light vessel through the azure seas	A
Upon the lofty deck Dame Sigrid lay	B
And watch'd the setting of the orb of day	B
Then all at once the smiling sky grew dark	C
The breakers rav'd and sinking seem'd the bark	C
The wild Death raven perch'd upon the mast	D
Scream'd 'mid the tumult and awoke the blast	D
	-
Dame Sigrid saw the demon bird on high	E
And tear drops started in her beauteous eye	E
Her cheeks which late like blushing roses bloom'd	F
Had now the pallid hue of fear assum'd	F
O wild death raven calm thy frightful rage	G
Nor war with one who warfare cannot wage	G
Tame yonder billows make them cease to roar	H
And I will give thee pounds of golden ore	H
	-
With gold thou must not hope to pay the brave	I
For gold I will not calm a single wave	I
For gold I will not hush the stormy air	J
And yet my heart is mov'd by thy despair	J
Give me the treasure hid beneath thy belt	K
And straight yon clouds in harmless rain shall melt	K
And down I'll thunder with my claws of steel	L
Upon the merman clinging to your keel	L
	-
What I conceal'd beneath my girdle bear	J
Is thine irrevocably thine I swear	J
Thou hast refus'd a great and noble prey	B
To get possession of my closet key	M
Lo here it is and when within thy maw	N
May'st thou much comfort from the morsel draw	N
The polish'd steel upon the deck she cast	D
And off the raven flutter'd from the mast	D
	-
Then down at once he plung'd amid the main	O
And clove the merman's frightful head in twain	O
The foam clad billows to repose he brought	P
And tam'd the tempest with the speed of thought	P
Then with a thrice repeated demon cry	E
He soar'd aloft and vanish'd in the sky	E
A soft wind blew the ship towards the land	Q
And soon Dame Sigrid reach'd the wish'd for strand	Q
	-
Once late at eve she play'd upon her harp	R
Close by the lake where slowly swam the carp	R
And as the moon beam down upon her shone	S
She thought of Norway and its pine woods lone	S
Yet love I Denmark said she and the Danes	T
For o'er them Alf my mighty husband reigns	T
Then 'neath her girdle something mov'd and yearn'd	U
And into terror all her bliss was turn'd	U
	-
Ah now I know thy meaning cruel bird	V
Long sat she then and neither spoke nor stirr'd	V
Faint through the mist which rob'd the sky in gray	B
The pale stars glimmer'd from the milky way	B
Ah now I know thy meaning cruel bird	V
She strove in vain to breathe another word	V
Above her head its leaf the aspen shook	W
Moist as her cheek and pallid as her look	W
	-
Full five months pass'd ere she 'mid night and gloom	X
Brought forth with pain an infant from her womb	X
They baptiz'd it at midnight's murky hour	Y
Lest it should fall within the demon's power	Y
It was a boy more lovely than the morn	Z
Yet Sigrid's heart with bitter care was torn	Z
Deep in a grot through which a brook did flow	A2
With crystal drops they sprinkled Harrald's brow	B2
	-
He grew and grew till upon Danish ground	C2
No youth to match the stripling could be found	C2
He was at once so graceful and so strong	D2
His look was fire and his speech was song	D2
When yet a child he tam'd the battle steed	E2
And only thought of war and daring deed	E2
But yet Queen Sigrid nurs'd prophetic fears	F2
And when she view'd him always swam in tears	G2
	-
One evening late she lay upon her bed	H2
King Alf her noble spouse was long since dead	H2
She felt so languid and her aching breast	I2
With more than usual sorrow was oppress'd	I2
Ah then she heard a sudden sound that thrill'd	J2
Her every nerve and life's warm current chill'd	J2
The bird of death had through the casement flown	S
And thus he scream'd to her in frightful tone	S
	-
The wealthy bird came towering	K2
Came scowering	K2
O'er hill and stream	L2
'Look here look here thou needy bird	V
How gay my feathers gleam '	-
	-
The needy bird came fluttering	K2
Came muttering	K2
And sadly sang	K2
'Look here look here thou wealthy bird	V
How loose my feathers hang '	-
	-
Remember Queen the stormy day	B
When cast away	B
Thou wast so nigh	E
Thou wast the needy bird that day	B
And unto me didst cry	E
	-
Death raven now comes towering	K2
Comes scowering	K2
O'er hill and stream	L2
But when wilt thou Dame Sigrid fair	J
Thy plighted word redeem	L2
	-
A hollow moan from Sigrid's bosom came	M2
While he survey'd her with his eye of flame	M2
Fly said she demon monster get thee hence	N2
My humble pray'r shall be my son's defence	N2
She cross'd herself and then the fiend flew out	O2
But first contemptuously he danc'd about	O2
And sang No pray'r shall save him from my rage	G
In Christian blood my thirst I will assuage	G
	-
Young Harrald seiz'd his scarlet cap and cried	P2
I'll probe the grief my mother fain would hide	P2
Then rushing into her apartment fair	J
O mother said he wherefore sitt'st thou there	J
Far from thy family at dead of night	Q2
With lips so mute and cheeks so ghastly white	Q2
Tell me what lies so heavy at thy heart	R2
Grief when confided loses half its smart	R2
	-
O Harrald sigh'd she yielding to his pray'r	S2
Creatures are swarming in the earth and air	J
Who wild with wickedness and hot with wrath	T2
Wage war on those who follow virtue's path	T2
One of those fiends is on the watch for thee	M
Arm'd with a promise wrung by him from me	M
His blood shot eyes in narrow sockets roll	U2
And every night he leaves his mirksome hole	U2
	-
He was a kind of God in former days	V2
Kings worshipp'd him and minstrels sang his praise	V2
But when Christ's doctrine through the dark North flam'd	W2
His and all evil spirits' might was tam'd	W2
He now is but a raven yet is still	X2
Full strong enough to work on thee his will	X2
Lost is the wretch who in his power falls	Y2
Vainly he shrieks in vain for mercy calls	Y2
	-
She whisper'd to him then with bloodless lip	Z2
What had befallen her on board the ship	Z2
But youthful Harrald listen'd undismay'd	W2
And merely gripp'd the handle of his blade	W2
My son she murmur'd when her tale was told	W2
Fear withers me but thou look'st blythe and bold	W2
The youth uplifted then his sparkling eye	E
And said whilst gazing on the moon lit sky	E
	-
Once my dear mother at the close of day	W2
Among tall flowers in the grove I lay	W2
Soft sang the linnets from a thousand trees	A
And sweetly lull'd I slumber'd by degrees	A
Then heaven's curtain was methought undrawn	S
And clad in hues that deck the brow of morn	S
An angel slowly sank towards the earth	A3
Which seem'd to hail him with a smile of mirth	A3
	-
He rais'd his hand and bade me fix my eye	E
Upon a chain which hanging from the sky	E
Embrac'd the world and stretching high and low	A2
Clink'd as it mov'd the notes of joy and wo	A2
The links that came in sight were purpled o'er	Y
Full frequently with what seem'd human gore	H
Of various metals made it clasp'd the mould	W2
Steel clung to silver iron clung to gold	W2
	-
Then said the angel with majestic air	J
'The chain of destiny thou seest there	J
Accept whate'er it gives and murmur not	W2
For hard necessity has cast each lot '	-
He vanish'd I awoke with sudden start	W2
But that strange dream was graven on my heart	W2
I go wherever fate shall please to call	B3
Without God's leave no fly to earth can fall	B3
	-
It thunders and from midnight's mirky cloud	W2
Comes peal on peal reverberating loud	W2
The froth clad breakers cast with sullen roar	H
A Scottish bark upon the whiten'd shore	H
Straight to the royal palace hasten then	S
A lovely maid and thirty sea worn men	S
Minona Scotland's princess Scotland's boast	W2
The storm has driven to the Danish coast	W2
	-
Oft while the train hew timber in the groves	C3
Minona arm in arm with Harrald roves	C3
Warm from his lip the words of passion flow	A2
Pure in her eyes the flames of passion glow	A2
One summer eve upon a mossy bank	K2
Mouth join'd to mouth and breast to breast they sank	K2
The moon arose in haste to see their love	D3
And wild birds carroll'd from the boughs above	D3
	-
But now the ship which seem'd of late a wreck	K2
Floats with a mast set proudly on her deck	K2
Minona kisses Harrald's blooming face	C3
Whilst he attends her to the parting place	C3
His bold young heart beats high against his side	W2
She sail'd away and like one petrified	W2
Full long he stood upon the shore to view	E3
The smooth keel slipping through the waters blue	E3
	-
Months pass and Sigrid's sorrow disappears	C3
The wild death raven's might no more she fears	C3
A gentle red bedecks her cheek again	S
And briny drops her eye no longer stain	S
My Harrald stalks in manly size and strength	F3
Swart bird of darkness I rejoice at length	F3
If thy curst claw could hurt my gallant son	S
Long long ere this the deed would have been done	S
	-
But Harrald look'd so moody and forlorn	S
And thus his mother he address'd one morn	S
Minona's face is equall'd by her mind	W2
Methinks she calls me from her hills of wind	W2
Give me a ship with men and gold at need	W2
And let me to her father's kingdom speed	W2
I'll soon return and back across the tide	W2
Bring thee a daughter and myself a bride	W2
	-
Dame Sigrid promis'd him an answer soon	S
And went that night when risen was the moon	S
Deep through the black recesses of the wood	W2
To where old Bruno's shelter'd cabin stood	W2
She enter'd there he sat behind his board	W2
His woollen vestment girded by a cord	W2
The little lamp which hung from overhead	W2
Gleam'd on the Bible leaves before him spread	W2
	-
Hail to thee Father man of hoary age	G
Thy Queen demands from thee thy counsel sage	G
Young Harrald to a distant land will go	A2
And I his destiny would gladly know	A2
Thou read'st the stars O do the stars portend	W2
That he shall come to an untimely end	W2
Take from his mother's heart this one last care	J
And she will always name thee in her pray'r	S2
	-
The hermit rising from his lonely nook	K2
With naked head and coldly placid look	K2
Went out and gaz'd intently on the sky	E
Whose lights were letters to his ancient eye	E
The stars said he in friendly order stand	W2
One only flashes like an angry brand	W2
Thy Harrald gentle Queen will not be slain	S
Upon the Earth nor yet upon the Main	S
	-
While thus the seer prophetically spoke	K2
A flush of joy o'er Sigrid's features broke	K2
He'll not be slain on ocean or on land	W2
She said and kiss'd the hermit's wrinkled hand	W2
Why then I'm happy and my son is free	M
To mount his bark and gallop through the sea	M
Upon the grey stone he will sit as king	K2
When in the grave my bones are mouldering	K2
	-
The painted galley floats now in the creek	K2
Flags at her mast and garlands at her beak	K2
High on the yard arm hoisted is the sail	G3
Half spread it flutters in the evening gale	G3
The night before he goes young Harrald stray'd	W2
Into the wood where first he saw his maid	W2
Burning impatience fever'd all his blood	W2
He wish'd for wings to bear him o'er the flood	W2
	-
Then sigh'd the wind among the bushy grounds	C3
Far in the distance rose the yell of hounds	C3
The flame wisps starting from the sedge and grass	C3
Hung 'mid the vapours over the morass	C3
Up to him came a beldame wildly drest	W2
Bearing a closely folded feather vest	W2
She smil'd upon him with her cheeks so wan	S
Gave him the robe and was already gone	S
	-
Young Harrald though astonish'd has no fears	C3
The mighty garment in his hand he rears	C3
Of wond'rous lovely feathers it was made	W2
Which once the roc and ostrich had array'd	W2
He wishes much to veil in it his form	H3
And speed as rapidly as speeds the storm	H3
He puts it on then seeks the open plain	S
Takes a short flight and flutters back again	S
	-
Courage he cried I will no longer stay	W2
Scotland shall see me ere the break of day	W2
Then like a dragon in the air he soars	C3
Startled from slumber in his wake it roars	C3
His wings across the ocean take their flight	W2
Groves cities hills have vanish'd from his sight	W2
See there he goes lone rider of the sky	K2
Miles underneath him black the billows lie	K2
	-
He hears a clapping on the midnight wind	W2
Speed Harrald speed the raven is behind	W2
Flames from his swarthy rolling eye are cast	W2
Ha Harrald scream'd he have we met at last	W2
For the first time the youth felt terror's force	C3
Pale grew his cheek as that of clammy corse	C3
Chill was his blood his nervous arm was faint	W2
While thus he stammer'd forth his lowly plaint	W2
	-
I see it is in vain to strive with fate	W2
Thank God my soul is far above thy hate	W2
But ere my mortal part thou dost destroy	I3
Let me one moment of sweet bliss enjoy	I3
The fair unmatch'd Minona is my love	D3
For her I travell'd fool like here above	D3
Let me fly to her with my last farewell	J3
And I am thine ere morning decks the fell	J3
	-
Firmly the raven holding him in air	J
Survey'd his prize with fiercely rabid glare	J
Now is the time to wreak on thee my lust	W2
Yet thou shalt own that I am good and just	W2
Then from its socket Harrald's eye he tore	H
And drank a full half of the hero's gore	H
Since I have mark'd thee thou art free to go	K2
But loiter not when thou art there below	K2
	-
Young Harrald sinks with many a sob and tear	J
Down from the sky to nature's lower sphere	K3
He rested long beneath the poplar tall	B3
Which grew up under the red church's wall	B3
Then rising slow he feebly stagger'd on	S
Till his Minona's bower he had won	S
Trembling and sad he stood beside the door	H
Pale as a spectre and besprent with gore	H
	-
Minona come ere Harrald's youthful heart	W2
Is burst by love and complicated smart	W2
Soon will his figure disappear from earth	A3
Yet we shall meet in heaven's halls of mirth	A3
Minona come and give me one embrace	C3
That I may instantly my path retrace	C3
Thus warbles he in passion's wildest note	W2
While death each moment rattles in his throat	W2
	-
Minona came Almighty God she cried	W2
My Harrald's ghost has wander'd o'er the tide	W2
Red clots of blood his yellow tresses streak	K2
Drops of the same are running down his cheek	K2
Minona love survey me yet more near	K3
It is no shadow which accosts thee here	L3
Place thy warm hand upon my heart and feel	L
Whether it beats for thee with slacken'd zeal	L
	-
At once the current of her tears she stopp'd	W2
His arm upheld her or the maid had dropp'd	W2
The roses faded from her face away	W2
And on her head the raven locks grew gray	W2
All he had borne and what he yet must bear	J
He murmurs to her whilst she trembles there	J
The hero then with dying ardour press'd	W2
For the last time his bosom to her breast	W2
	-
Farewell Minona all my fears are flown	S
And if I grieve it is for thee alone	S
Give me a kiss and give me too a smile	M3
And let not tears that parting look defile	M3
Now will I drink the bitter draught of death	N3
And yield courageously my forfeit breath	N3
Farewell may heaven take thee in its care	J
He said and mounted swiftly in the air	J
	-
She gaz'd but he had vanish'd from her view	E3
She stood forsaken in the damp and dew	E3
Then dark emotion quiver'd in her eye	K2
And thus she pray'd with hands uplifted high	K2
Thou who wert vainly tempted in the wild	W2
Thou who wert always charitably mild	W2
Thou who mad'st Peter walk on billows blue	E3
Enable me my Harrald to pursue	E3
	-
Sunken already was the morning star	S2
The song of nightingales was heard afar	S2
The red sun peep'd above the mountain's brow	B2
And flowers scented all the vale below	M3
There came a youthful maiden gaily drest	W2
Bearing upon her back a feather vest	W2
Fondly she kiss'd Minona's features wan	S
Gave her the robe and then at once was gone	S
	-
And straight Minona clothes in it her limbs	C3
And soaring upward through the ether swims	C3
To moan and sob her madden'd breast disdains	C3
Too big for such low comfort are its pains	C3
The fowls that meet her in yon airy fields	C3
She clips in pieces with an axe she wields	C3
Each clanging pinion ceaselessly she plies	C3
But cannot meet the raven or his prize	C3
	-
She hears a faint shriek in the air below	M3
And swift as eagle pounces on his foe	M3
Down down she dropp'd and lighted on the shore	H
Which far and wide was wet with Harrald's gore	H
She smil'd so ruefully but still was mute	W2
His good right hand was lying at her foot	W2
That pledge of truth in love's unclouded day	W2
Was the sole remnant of the demon's prey	W2
	-
Deep in her breast she hid the bloody hand	W2
And bade adieu for ever to the land	W2
Again she scower'd through the airy path	T2
Her eyeballs terrible with madden'd wrath	T2
The raven sorcerer at length she spied	W2
And soon her steel was with his hot blood dyed	W2
The huge black body piecemeal found a grave	I
Amid the bosom of the briny wave	I
	-
The ocean billows fret and foam no more	H
But softly rush towards the pebbled shore	H
On which the lindens stand in many a group	O3
With leafy boughs that o'er the waters droop	O3
There floats one single cloudlet in the blue	E3
Close where the pale moon shows her face anew	E3
It is Minona dying there that flies	C3
She sinks not no she mounts unto the skies	C3

George Borrow

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