Margaret's Bridal Eve Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BBBC BBBC BBBC BBBC BBBC BBBC A DEDF GEGF BEBF HEHF IEII JEJI KEKI LELI MEMI A NBNC OBOC PBPC QBQC KBKC RBSC ABAC TBTC UBVC WEWI BEBI VEVI BEBI XEII BEBI BEBI BEBI BEBI BEBI YEYI ZEZI A2EA2I B2EB2I ZEZI LELI C2EC2I D2EE2I BEBI D2EE2I DEDI

IA
-
The old grey mother she thrummed on her kneeB
There is a rose that's readyB
And which of the handsome young men shall it beB
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
My daughter come hither come hither to meB
There is a rose that's readyB
Come point me your finger on him that you seeB
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
O mother my mother it never can beB
There is a rose that's readyB
For I shall bring shame on the man marries meB
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
Now let your tongue be deep as the seaB
There is a rose that's readyB
And the man'll jump for you right briskly will heB
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
Tall Margaret wept bitterlyB
There is a rose that's readyB
And as her parent bade did sheB
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
O the handsome young man dropped down on his kneeB
There is a rose that's readyB
Pale Margaret gave him her hand woe's meB
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
IIA
-
O mother my mother this thing I must sayD
There is a rose in the gardenE
Ere he lies on the breast where that other layD
And the bird sings over the rosesF
-
Now folly my daughter for men are menG
There is a rose in the gardenE
You marry them blindfold I tell you againG
And the bird sings over the rosesF
-
O mother but when he kisses meB
There is a rose in the gardenE
My child 'tis which shall sweetest beB
And the bird sings over the rosesF
-
O mother but when I awake in the mornH
There is a rose in the gardenE
My child you are his and the ring is wornH
And the bird sings over the rosesF
-
Tall Margaret sighed and loosened a tressI
There is a rose in the gardenE
Poor comfort she had of her comelinessI
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
My mother will sink if this thing be saidJ
There is a rose in the gardenE
That my first betrothed came thrice to my bedJ
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
He died on my shoulder the third cold nightK
There is a rose in the gardenE
I dragged his body all through the moonlightK
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
But when I came by my father's doorL
There is a rose in the gardenE
I fell in a lump on the stiff dead floorL
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
O neither to heaven nor yet to hellM
There is a rose in the gardenE
Could I follow the lover I loved so wellM
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
IIIA
-
The bridesmaids slept in their chambers apartN
There is a rose that's readyB
Tall Margaret walked with her thumping heartN
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
The frill of her nightgown below the left breastO
There is a rose that's readyB
Had fall'n like a cloud of the moonlighted WestO
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
But where the West cloud breaks to a starP
There is a rose that's readyB
Pale Margaret's breast showed a winding scarP
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
O few are the brides with such a signQ
There is a rose that's readyB
Though I went mad the fault was mineQ
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
I must speak to him under this roof to nightK
There is a rose that's readyB
I shall burn to death if I speak in the lightK
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
O my breast I must strike you a bloodier woundR
There is a rose that's readyB
Than when I scored you red and swoonedS
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
I will stab my honour under his eyeA
There is a rose that's readyB
Though I bleed to the death I shall let out the lieA
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
O happy my bridesmaids white sleep is with youT
There is a rose that's readyB
Had he chosen among you he might sleep tooT
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
O happy my bridesmaids your breasts are cleanU
There is a rose that's readyB
You carry no mark of what has beenV
There's a rose that's ready for clippingC
-
IV-
-
An hour before the chilly beamW
Red rose and white in the gardenE
The bridegroom started out of a dreamW
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
He went to the door and there espiedB
Red rose and white in the gardenE
The figure of his silent brideB
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
He went to the door and let her inV
Red rose and white in the gardenE
Whiter looked she than a child of sinV
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
She looked so white she looked so sweetB
Red rose and white in the gardenE
She looked so pure he fell at her feetB
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
He fell at her feet with love and aweX
Red rose and white in the gardenE
A stainless body of light he sawI
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
O Margaret say you are not of the deadB
Red rose and white in the gardenE
My bride by the angels at night are you ledB
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
I am not led by the angels aboutB
Red rose and white in the gardenE
But I have a devil within to let outB
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
O Margaret my bride and saintB
Red rose and white in the gardenE
There is on you no earthly taintB
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
I am no saint and no bride can I beB
Red rose and while in the gardenE
Until I have opened my bosom to theeB
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
To catch at her heart she laid one handB
Red rose and white in the gardenE
She told the tale where she did standB
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
She stood before him pale and tallY
Red rose and white in the gardenE
Her eyes between his she told him allY
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
She saw how her body grow freckled and foulZ
Red rose and white in the gardenE
She heard from the woods the hooting owlZ
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
With never a quiver her mouth did speakA2
Red rose and white in the gardenE
O when she had done she stood so meekA2
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
The bridegroom stamped and called her vileB2
Red rose and white in the gardenE
He did but waken a little smileB2
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
The bridegroom raged and called her foulZ
Red rose and white in the gardenE
She heard from the woods the hooting owlZ
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
He muttered a name full bitter and soreL
Red rose and white in the gardenE
She fell in a lump on the still dead floorL
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
O great was the wonder and loud the wailC2
Red rose and white in the gardenE
When through the household flew the taleC2
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
The old grey mother she dressed the bierD2
Red rose and white in the gardenE
With a shivering chin and never a tearE2
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
O had you but done as I bade you my childB
Red rose and white in the gardenE
You would not have died and been reviledB
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
The bridegroom he hung at midnight by the bierD2
Red rose and white in the gardenE
He eyed the white girl thro' a dazzling tearE2
And the bird sings over the rosesI
-
O had you been false as the women who strayD
Red rose and white in the gardenE
You would not be now with the Angels of DayD
And the bird sings over the rosesI

George Meredith



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