The Helmsman Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCCCB DEFFFE GHAAAH IJKKKIJ LMNNNM OPCCCQ RSTTTS UUMMMU VWXXXW IYZA2A2Y B2C2D2D2D2C2

LIKE one who meets a staggering blowA
The stout old ship doth reelB
And waters vast go seething pastC
But will it last this fearful blastC
On straining shroud and groaning mastC
O sailor at the wheelB
-
His face is smitten with the windD
His cheeks are chilled with rainE
And you were right his hair is whiteF
But eyes are calm and heart is lightF
He does not fear the strife to nightF
He knows the roaring mainE
-
Ho Sailor Will to morrow bringG
The hours of pleasant restH
An answer low I do not knowA
The thunders grow and far winds blowA
But storms may come and storms may goA
Our God He judgeth bestH
-
Now you are right brave marinerI
But we are not like youJ
We used to shore our fates deploreK
And fear the more when waters roarK
So few amongst us look beforeK
Or stop to think that Heaven is o erI
Ah what you say is trueJ
-
And those who go abroad in shipsL
Who seldom see the landM
But sail and stray so far awayN
Should trust and pray for are not theyN
When Darkness blinds them on their wayN
All guided by God s handM
-
But you are wrinkled grey and wornO
Tis time you dwelt in peaceP
Your prime is past we fail so fastC
You may not last through every blastC
And oh tis fearful to be castC
Amongst the smothering seasQ
-
Is there no absent face to loveR
That you must live aloneS
If faith did fade if friends betrayedT
And turned and staid resolves you d madeT
Ah still tis pleasant to be laidT
Where you at least are knownS
-
The answer slides betwixt our wordsU
The season shines and gloomsU
On ship and strand on sea and landM
But life must go and Time is spannedM
As well you know when out you standM
With Death amongst the tombsU
-
It matters not to one so oldV
Who mourns when Fate comes roundW
And one may sleep down in the deepX
As well as those beneath the heapX
That fifty stormy years will sweepX
And trample to the groundW
-
Your speech is wise brave marinerI
And we would let you beY
You speak with truth you strive to sootheZ
But oh the wrecks of Love and TruthA2
What say you to our tears for YouthA2
And Beauty drowned at seaY
-
Oh talk not of the Beauty lostB2
Since first these decks I trodC2
The hopeless stare on faces fairD2
The streaming bare dishevelled hairD2
The wild despair the sinking whereD2
Oh where oh where My GodC2

Henry Kendall



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