An Answer In The Behalf Of A Woman. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKK LLMMNOPPPPPPQRPPPP| GIRT in my guiltless gown as I sit here and sow | A |
| I see that things are not in deed as to the outward show | B |
| And who so list to look and note things somewhat near | C |
| Shall find where plainness seems to haunt nothing but craft appear | C |
| For with indifferent eyes myself can well discern | D |
| How some to guide a ship in storms stick not to take the stern | D |
| Whose skill and courage tried in calm to steer a barge | E |
| They would soon shew you should foresee it were too great a charge | E |
| And some I see again sit still and say but small | F |
| That can do ten times more than they that say they can do all | F |
| Whose goodly gifts are such the more they understand | G |
| The more they seek to learn and know and take less charge in hand | G |
| And to declare more plain the time flits not so fast | H |
| But I can bear right well in mind the song now sung and past | H |
| The author whereof came wrapt in a crafty cloak | I |
| In will to force a flaming fire where he could raise no smoke | I |
| If power and will had met as it appeareth plain | J |
| The truth nor right had ta'en no place their virtues had been vain | J |
| So that you may perceive and I may safely see | K |
| The innocent that guiltless is condemned should have be | K |
| Much like untruth to this the story doth declare | L |
| Where the Elders laid to Susan's charge meet matter to compare | L |
| They did her both accuse and eke condemn her too | M |
| And yet no reason right nor truth did lead them so to do | M |
| And she thus judg'd to die toward her death went forth | N |
| Fraughted with faith a patient pace taking her wrong in worth | O |
| But he that doth defend all those that in him trust | P |
| Did raise a child for her defence to shield her from th' unjust | P |
| And Daniel chosen was then of this wrong to weet | P |
| How in what place and eke with whom she did this crime commit | P |
| He caused the Elders part the one from th' other's sight | P |
| And did examine one by one and charg'd them both say right | P |
| ' Under a mulberry tree it was ' first said the one | Q |
| The next named a pomegranate tree whereby the truth was known | R |
| Then Susan was discharg'd and they condemn'd to die | P |
| As right requir'd and they deserv'd that fram'd so foul a lie | P |
| And He that her preserv'd and lett them of their lust | P |
| Hath me defended hitherto and will do still I trust | P |
Henry Howard
(1)
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About An Answer In The Behalf Of A Woman.
An Answer In The Behalf Of A Woman. is a poem by Henry Howard. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.