Egotism. A Letter To J. T. Becher Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EEEE FGFG BEBE GHGH IEJE EGEG GKGK EGLG ELEL GGGG GEGE GEGE IGGG G GK EEEE MGE| If Fate should seal my Death to morrow | A |
| Though much I hope she will postpone it | B |
| I've held a share Joy and Sorrow | A |
| Enough for Ten and here I own it | B |
| - | |
| I've lived as many others live | C |
| And yet I think with more enjoyment | D |
| For could I through my days again live | C |
| I'd pass them in the 'same' employment | D |
| - | |
| That 'is' to say with 'some exception' | E |
| For though I will not make confession | E |
| I've seen too much of man's deception | E |
| Ever again to trust profession | E |
| - | |
| Some sage 'Mammas' with gesture haughty | F |
| Pronounce me quite a youthful Sinner | G |
| But 'Daughters' say although he's naughty | F |
| You must not check a 'Young Beginner' | G |
| - | |
| I've loved and many damsels know it | B |
| But whom I don't intend to mention | E |
| As 'certain stanzas' also show it | B |
| 'Some' say 'deserving Reprehension' | E |
| - | |
| Some ancient Dames of virtue fiery | G |
| Unless Report does much belie them | H |
| Have lately made a sharp Enquiry | G |
| And much it 'grieves' me to 'deny' them | H |
| - | |
| Two whom I lov'd had 'eyes' of 'Blue' | I |
| To which I hope you've no objection | E |
| The 'Rest' had eyes of 'darker Hue' | J |
| Each Nymph of course was 'all perfection' | E |
| - | |
| But here I'll close my 'chaste' Description | E |
| Nor say the deeds of animosity | G |
| For 'silence' is the best prescription | E |
| To 'physic' idle curiosity | G |
| - | |
| Of 'Friends' I've known a 'goodly Hundred' | G |
| For finding 'one' in each acquaintance | K |
| By 'some deceived' by others plunder'd | G |
| 'Friendship' to me was not 'Repentance' | K |
| - | |
| At 'School' I thought like other 'Children' | E |
| Instead of 'Brains' a fine Ingredient | G |
| 'Romance' my 'youthful Head bewildering' | L |
| To 'Sense' had made me disobedient | G |
| - | |
| A victim 'nearly' from affection | E |
| To certain 'very precious scheming' | L |
| The still remaining recollection | E |
| Has 'cured' my 'boyish soul' of 'Dreaming' | L |
| - | |
| By Heaven I rather would forswear | G |
| The Earth and all the joys reserved me | G |
| Than dare again the 'specious Snare' | G |
| From which 'my Fate' and 'Heaven preserved' me | G |
| - | |
| Still I possess some Friends who love me | G |
| In each a much esteemed and true one | E |
| The Wealth of Worlds shall never move me | G |
| To quit their Friendship for a new one | E |
| - | |
| But Becher you're a 'reverend pastor' | G |
| Now take it in consideration | E |
| Whether for penance I should fast or | G |
| Pray for my 'sins' in expiation | E |
| - | |
| I own myself the child of 'Folly' | I |
| But not so wicked as they make me | G |
| I soon must die of melancholy | G |
| If 'Female' smiles should e'er forsake me | G |
| - | |
| 'Philosophers' have 'never doubted' | G |
| That 'Ladies' Lips' were made for 'kisses ' | - |
| For 'Love ' I could not live without it | G |
| For such a 'cursed' place as 'This is' | K |
| - | |
| Say Becher I shall be forgiven | E |
| If you don't warrant my salvation | E |
| I must resign all 'Hopes' of 'Heaven' | E |
| For 'Faith' I can't withstand Temptation | E |
| - | |
| - | |
| P S These were written between one and two | M |
| after 'midnight' I have not 'corrected' or 'revised' | G |
| Yours BYRON | E |
George Gordon Lord Byron
(1)
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