The Helmsman Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCCCB DEFFFE GHAAAH IJKKKIJ LMNNNM OPCCCQ RSTTTS UUMMMU VWXXXW IYZA2A2Y B2C2D2D2D2C2LIKE one who meets a staggering blow | A |
The stout old ship doth reel | B |
And waters vast go seething past | C |
But will it last this fearful blast | C |
On straining shroud and groaning mast | C |
O sailor at the wheel | B |
- | |
His face is smitten with the wind | D |
His cheeks are chilled with rain | E |
And you were right his hair is white | F |
But eyes are calm and heart is light | F |
He does not fear the strife to night | F |
He knows the roaring main | E |
- | |
Ho Sailor Will to morrow bring | G |
The hours of pleasant rest | H |
An answer low I do not know | A |
The thunders grow and far winds blow | A |
But storms may come and storms may go | A |
Our God He judgeth best | H |
- | |
Now you are right brave mariner | I |
But we are not like you | J |
We used to shore our fates deplore | K |
And fear the more when waters roar | K |
So few amongst us look before | K |
Or stop to think that Heaven is o er | I |
Ah what you say is true | J |
- | |
And those who go abroad in ships | L |
Who seldom see the land | M |
But sail and stray so far away | N |
Should trust and pray for are not they | N |
When Darkness blinds them on their way | N |
All guided by God s hand | M |
- | |
But you are wrinkled grey and worn | O |
Tis time you dwelt in peace | P |
Your prime is past we fail so fast | C |
You may not last through every blast | C |
And oh tis fearful to be cast | C |
Amongst the smothering seas | Q |
- | |
Is there no absent face to love | R |
That you must live alone | S |
If faith did fade if friends betrayed | T |
And turned and staid resolves you d made | T |
Ah still tis pleasant to be laid | T |
Where you at least are known | S |
- | |
The answer slides betwixt our words | U |
The season shines and glooms | U |
On ship and strand on sea and land | M |
But life must go and Time is spanned | M |
As well you know when out you stand | M |
With Death amongst the tombs | U |
- | |
It matters not to one so old | V |
Who mourns when Fate comes round | W |
And one may sleep down in the deep | X |
As well as those beneath the heap | X |
That fifty stormy years will sweep | X |
And trample to the ground | W |
- | |
Your speech is wise brave mariner | I |
And we would let you be | Y |
You speak with truth you strive to soothe | Z |
But oh the wrecks of Love and Truth | A2 |
What say you to our tears for Youth | A2 |
And Beauty drowned at sea | Y |
- | |
Oh talk not of the Beauty lost | B2 |
Since first these decks I trod | C2 |
The hopeless stare on faces fair | D2 |
The streaming bare dishevelled hair | D2 |
The wild despair the sinking where | D2 |
Oh where oh where My God | C2 |
Henry Kendall
(1)
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