Tale Xv Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKK LLAAFFMMNNOOPPQQGGRR SSJJTTKUUVVWWX YYZZIIA2A2B2B2C2XD2D 2E2E2F2 G2G2GGA2A2OOG2G2H2H2 I2J2O GGK2K2L2L2M2M2GGA2A2 GGN2N2D2D2FFSSG2G2II O2O2P2Q2VVGGK2K2GGGG R2S2ZZT2 U2 TTV2V2W2 A2A2G2G2X2X2M2M2G2G2 G TTD2D2Y2Y2G2 Z2 G2 A3A3G2G2X2X2A3A3GGGG GGGGXXB3B3C3

ADVICE OR THE 'SQUIRE AND THE PRIESTA
-
A wealthy Lord of far extended landB
Had all that pleased him placed at his commandB
Widow'd of late but finding much reliefC
In the world's comforts he dismiss'd his griefC
He was by marriage of his daughters easedD
And knew his sons could marry if they pleasedD
Meantime in travel he indulged the boysE
And kept no spy nor partner of his joysE
These joys indeed were of the grosser kindF
That fed the cravings of an earthly mindF
A mind that conscious of its own excessG
Felt the reproach his neighbours would expressG
Long at th' indulgent board he loved to sitH
Where joy was laughter and profaneness witH
And such the guest and manners of the hallI
No wedded lady on the 'Squire would callI
Here reign'd a Favourite and her triumph gain'dJ
O'er other favourites who before had reign'dJ
Reserved and modest seemed the nymph to beK
Knowing her lord was charm'd with modestyK
For he a sportsman keen the more enjoy'dL
The greater value had the thing destroyedL
Our 'Squire declared that from a wife releasedA
He would no more give trouble to a PriestA
Seem'd it not then ungrateful and unkindF
That he should trouble from the priesthood findF
The Church he honour'd and he gave the dueM
And full respect to every son he knewM
But envied those who had the luck to meetN
A gentle pastor civil and discreetN
Who never bold and hostile sermon pennedO
To wound a sinner or to shame a friendO
One whom no being either shunn'd or fear'dP
Such must be loved wherever they appear'dP
Not such the stern old Rector of the timeQ
Who soothed no culprit and who spared no crimeQ
Who would his fears and his contempt expressG
For irreligion and licentiousnessG
Of him our Village Lord his guests amongR
By speech vindictive proved his feelings stungR
'Were he a bigot ' said the 'Squire 'whose zealS
Condemn'd us all I should disdain to feelS
But when a man of parts in college train'dJ
Prates of our conduct who would not be pain'dJ
While he declaims where no one dares replyT
On men abandon'd grov'ling in the styT
Like beasts in human shape of shameless luxuryK
Yet with a patriot's zeal I stand the shockU
Of vile rebuke example to his flockU
But let this Rector thus severe and proudV
Change his wide surplice for a narrow shroudV
And I will place within his seat a youthW
Train'd by the Graces to explain the TruthW
Then shall the flock with gentle hand be ledX
By wisdom won and by compassion fed '-
This purposed Teacher was a sister's sonY
Who of her children gave the priesthood oneY
And she had early train'd for this employZ
The pliant talents of her college boyZ
At various times her letters painted allI
Her brother's views the manners of the HallI
The rector's harshness and the mischief madeA2
By chiding those whom preachers should persuadeA2
This led the youth to views of easy lifeB2
A friendly patron an obliging wifeB2
His tithe his glebe the garden and the steedC2
With books as many as he wish'd to readX
All this accorded with the Uncle's willD2
He loved a priest compliant easy stillD2
Sums he had often to his favourite sentE2
'To be ' he wrote 'in manly freedom spentE2
For well it pleased his spirit to assistF2
An honest lad who scorn'd a Methodist '-
His mother too in her maternal careG2
Bade him of canting hypocrites bewareG2
Who from his duties would his heart seduceG
And make his talents of no earthly useG
Soon must a trial of his worth be madeA2
The ancient priest is to the tomb convey'dA2
And the Youth summon'd from a serious friendO
His guide and host new duties to attendO
Three months before the nephew and the 'SquireG2
Saw mutual worth to praise and to admireG2
And though the one too early left his wineH2
The other still exclaim'd 'My boy will shineH2
Yes I perceive that he will soon improveI2
And I shall form the very guide I loveJ2
Decent abroad he will my name defendO
And when at home be social and unbend '-
The plan was specious for the mind of JamesG
Accorded duly with his uncle's schemesG
He then aspired not to a higher nameK2
Than sober clerks of moderate talents claimK2
Gravely to pray and rev'rendly to preachL2
Was all he saw good youth within his reachL2
Thus may a mass of sulphur long abideM2
Cold and inert but to the flame appliedM2
Kindling it blazes and consuming turnsG
To smoke and poison as it boils and burnsG
James leaving college to a Preacher stray'dA2
What call'd he knew not but the call obey'dA2
Mild idle pensive ever led by thoseG
Who could some specious novelty proposeG
Humbly he listen'd while the preacher dweltN2
On touching themes and strong emotions feltN2
And in this night was fix'd that pliant willD2
To one sole point and he retains it stillD2
At first his care was to himself confinedF
Himself assured he gave it to mankindF
His zeal grew active honest earnest zealS
And comfort dealt to him he long'd to dealS
He to his favourite preacher now withdrewG2
Was taught to teach instructed to subdueG2
And train'd for ghostly warfare when the callI
Of his new duties reach'd him from the HallI
Now to the 'Squire although alert and stoutO2
Came unexpected an attack of goutO2
And the grieved patron felt such serious painP2
He never thought to see a church againQ2
Thrice had the youthful rector taught the crowdV
Whose growing numbers spoke his powers aloudV
Before the patron could himself rejoiceG
His pain still lingering in the general voiceG
For he imputed all this early fameK2
To graceful manner and the well known nameK2
And to himself assumed a share of praiseG
For worth and talents he was pleased to raiseG
A month had flown and with it fled diseaseG
What pleased before began again to pleaseG
Emerging daily from his chamber's gloomR2
He found his old sensations hurrying homeS2
Then call'd his nephew and exclaim'd 'My boyZ
Let us again the balm of life enjoyZ
The foe has left me and I deem it rightT2
Should he return to arm me for the fight '-
Thus spoke the 'Squire the favourite nymphU2
-
stood byT
And view'd the priest with insult in her eyeT
She thrice had heard him when he boldly spokeV2
On dangerous points and fear'd he would revokeV2
For James she ioved not and her manner toldW2
'This warm affection will be quickly cold '-
And still she fear'd impression might be madeA2
Upon a subject nervous and decay'dA2
She knew her danger and had no desireG2
Of reformation in the gallant 'SquireG2
And felt an envious pleasure in her breastX2
To see the rector daunted and distress'dX2
Again the Uncle to the youth appliedM2
'Cast my dear lad that cursed gloom asideM2
There are for all things time and place appearG2
Grave in your pulpit and be merry hereG2
Now take your wine for woes a sure resourceG
And the best prelude to a long discourse '-
James half obey'd but cast an angry eyeT
On the fair lass who still stood watchful byT
Resolving thus 'I have my fears but stillD2
I must perform my duties and I willD2
No love no interest shall my mind controlY2
Better to lose my comforts than my soulY2
Better my uncle's favour to abjureG2
Than the upbraidings of my heart endure '-
He took his glass and then address'd theZ2
-
'SquireG2
'I feel not well permit me to retire '-
The 'Squire conceived that the ensuing dayA3
Gave him these terrors for the grand essayA3
When he himself should this young preacher tryG2
And stand before him with observant eyeG2
This raised compassion in his manly breastX2
And he would send the rector to his restX2
Yet first in soothing voice 'A moment stayA3
And these suggestions of a friend obeyA3
Treasure these hints if fame or peace you prizeG
The bottle emptied I shall close my eyesG
'On every priest a twofold care attendsG
To prove his talents and insure his friendsG
First of the first your stores at once produceG
And bring your reading to its proper useG
On doctrines dwell and every point enforceG
By quoting much the scholar's sure resourceG
For he alone can show us on each headX
What ancient schoolmen and sage fathers saidX
No worth has knowledge if you fail to showB3
How well you studied and how much you knowB3
Is faitC3

George Crabbe



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