The Vainglorious Oak And The Modest Bulrush Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDED FGFGHIHI JKJKGLGL MNMNOPOP QRQRSTST EUCU| A bulrush stood on a river's rim | A |
| And an oak that grew near by | B |
| Looked down with cold hauteur on him | A |
| And addressed him this way Hi | B |
| The rush was a proud patrician and | C |
| He retorted Don't you know | D |
| What the veriest boor should understand | E |
| That 'Hi' is low | D |
| - | |
| This cutting rebuke the oak ignored | F |
| He returned My slender friend | G |
| I will frankly state that I'm somewhat bored | F |
| With the way you bow and bend | G |
| But you quite forget the rush replied | H |
| It's an art these bows to do | I |
| An art I wouldn't attempt if I'd | H |
| Such boughs as you | I |
| - | |
| Of course said the oak in my sapling days | J |
| My habit it was to bow | K |
| But the wildest storm that the winds could raise | J |
| Would never disturb me now | K |
| I challenge the breeze to make me bend | G |
| And the blast to make me sway | L |
| The shrewd little bulrush answered Friend | G |
| Don't get so gay | L |
| - | |
| And the words had barely left his mouth | M |
| When he saw the oak turn pale | N |
| For racing along south east by south | M |
| Came ripping a raging gale | N |
| And the rush bent low as the storm went past | O |
| But stiffly stood the oak | P |
| Though not for long for he found the blast | O |
| No idle joke | P |
| - | |
| - | |
| Imagine the lightning's gleaming bars | Q |
| Imagine the thunder's roar | R |
| For that is exactly what eight stars | Q |
| Are set in a row here for | R |
| The oak lay prone when the storm was done | S |
| While the rush still quite erect | T |
| Remarked aside What under the sun | S |
| Could one expect | T |
| - | |
| And THE MORAL I'd have you understand | E |
| Would have made La Fontaine blush | U |
| For it's this Some storms come early and | C |
| Avoid the rush | U |
Guy Wetmore Carryl
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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