Thoughts Suggested By A College Examination Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCDEE FFGGHHIIHHHHJJ HHKKLLMMNNHHOOPPHH QQHHHHRR HHSSTTUKHHVVWWMMHHRR HHXX

High in the midst surrounded by his peersA
MAGNUS his ample front sublime up rearsA
Placed on his chair of state he seems a godB
While Sophs and Freshmen tremble at his nodB
As all around sit wrapt in speechless gloomC
His voice in thunder shakes the sounding domeD
Denouncing dire reproach to luckless foolsE
Unskill'd to plod in mathematic rulesE
-
Happy the youth in Euclid's axiorn triedF
Though littie versed in any art besideF
Who scarcely skill'd an English line tc penG
Scans Attic metres with a critic's kenG
What though he knows not how his fathers bledH
When civil discord piled the fields with deadH
When Edward bade his conquering bands advanceI
Or Henry trampled on the crest of FranceI
Though marvelling at the name of Magna ChartaH
Yet well he recollects the laws of SpartaH
Can tell what edicts sage Lycurgus madeH
While Blackstone's on the shelf neglected laidH
Of Grecian dramas vaunts the deathless fameJ
Of Avon's bard remembering scarce the nameJ
-
Such is the youth whose scientific pateH
Class honours medals fellowships awaitH
Or even perhaps the declamation prizeK
If to such glorious height he lifts his eyesK
But lo no common orator can hopeL
The envied silver cup within his scopeL
Not that our heads much eloquence requireM
Th' ATHENIAN'S glowing style or Tully's fireM
A manner clear or warm is useless sinceN
We do not try by speaking to convinceN
Be other orators of pleasing proudH
We speak to please ourselves not move the crowdH
Our gravity prefers the muttering toneO
A proper mixture of the squeak and groanO
No borrow'd grace of action must he seenP
The slightest motion would displease the DeanP
Whilst everv staring graduate would prateH
Against what he could never imitateH
-
The man who hopes t' obtain the promised cupQ
Must in one posture stand and ne'er look upQ
Nor stop but rattle over every wordH
No matter what so it can not be heardH
Thus let him hurry on nor think to restH
Who speaks the fastest's sure to speak the bestH
Who utters most within the shortest spaceR
May safely hope to win the wordy raceR
-
The sons of science these who thus repaidH
Linger in ease in Granta's sluggish shadeH
Where on Cam's sedgy banks supine they lieS
Unknown unhonour'd live unwept for dieS
Dull as the pictures which adorn their hallsT
They think all learning fix'd within their wallsT
In manners rude in foolish forms preciseU
All modern arts affecting to despiseK
Yet prizing Bentley's Brunck's or Porson's noteH
More than the verse on which the critic wroteH
Vain as their honours heavy as their aleV
Sad as their wit and tedious as their taleV
To friendship dead though not untaught to feelW
When Self and Church demand a bigot zealW
With eager haste they court the lord of powerM
Whether 'tis Pitt or Petty rules the hourM
To him with suppliant smiles they bend the headH
While distant mitres to their eyes are spreadH
But should a storm o'erwhelm him with disgraceR
They'd fly to seek the next who fill'd his placeR
Such are the men who learning's treasures guardH
Such is their practice such is their rewardH
This much at least we may presume to sayX
The premium can't exceed the price they payX

George Gordon Byron



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