The Elder-witch Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABB CDDCEEFGGF HBBHIIEGGE DJJDKKLGGL MNNMOOEGGE| According to the Danish tradition there is a female Elf in | A |
| the elder tree which she leaves every midnight and having | B |
| strolled among the fields returns to it before morning | B |
| - | |
| - | |
| Though tall the oak and firm its stem | C |
| Though far abroad its boughs are spread | D |
| Though high the poplar lifts its head | D |
| I have no song for them | C |
| A theme more bright more bright would be | E |
| The winsome winsome elder tree | E |
| Beneath whose shade I sit reclin'd | F |
| It holds a witch within its bark | G |
| A lovely witch who haunts the dark | G |
| And fills with love my mind | F |
| - | |
| When ghosts at midnight leave their graves | H |
| And rous'd is every phantom thing | B |
| When mermaids rise and sweetly sing | B |
| In concert with the waves | H |
| When Palnatoka on his steed | I |
| Pursues the elves across the mead | I |
| Or gallops gallops o'er the sea | E |
| The witch within the elder's bark | G |
| The lovely witch who haunts the dark | G |
| Comes out comes out to me | E |
| - | |
| Of leaves the fairies make our bed | D |
| The knight who moulders 'neath the elm | J |
| Starts up with spear and rusted helm | J |
| By him the grace is said | D |
| And though her kiss is cold at times | K |
| And does not scent of earthly climes | K |
| Though glaring is her eye yet still | L |
| The witch within the elder's bark | G |
| The lovely witch who haunts the dark | G |
| I prize and ever will | L |
| - | |
| Yet once I lov'd a mortal maid | M |
| And gaz'd enraptur'd on her charms | N |
| Oft circled in each other's arms | N |
| Together here we stray'd | M |
| But soon she found a fairer youth | O |
| And I a fairer maid forsooth | O |
| And one more true more true to me | E |
| The witch within the elder's bark | G |
| The lovely witch who haunts the dark | G |
| Has been more true to me | E |
George Borrow
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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