My Own Character, Addressed (during Illness) To A Lady Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDD EECCFFGGHHII JJKKLLGG MMDDGGGG GGIICCGGLL NNIIDDOD| Dear Fanny I mean now I'm laid on the shelf | A |
| To give you a sketch ay a sketch of myself | A |
| 'Tis a pitiful subject I frankly confess | B |
| And one it would puzzle a painter to dress | B |
| But however here goes and as sure as a gun | C |
| I'll tell all my faults like a penitent nun | C |
| For I know for my Fanny before I address her | D |
| She wont be a cynical father confessor | D |
| - | |
| Come come 'twill not do put that curling brow down | E |
| You can't for the soul of you learn how to frown | E |
| Well first I premise it's my honest conviction | C |
| That my breast is a chaos of all contradiction | C |
| Religious deistic now loyal and warm | F |
| Then a dagger drawn democrat hot for reform | F |
| This moment a fop that sententious as Titus | G |
| Democritus now and anon Heraclitus | G |
| Now laughing and pleased like a child with a rattle | H |
| Then vex'd to the soul with impertinent tattle | H |
| Now moody and sad now unthinking and gay | I |
| To all points of the compass I veer in a day | I |
| - | |
| I'm proud and disdainful to Fortune's gay child | J |
| But to Poverty's offspring submissive and mild | J |
| As rude as a boor and as rough in dispute | K |
| Then as for politeness oh dear I'm a brute | K |
| I show no respect where I never can feel it | L |
| And as for contempt take no pains to conceal it | L |
| And so in the suite by these laudable ends | G |
| I've a great many foes and a very few friends | G |
| - | |
| And yet my dear Fanny there are who can feel | M |
| That this proud heart of mine is not fashion'd of steel | M |
| It can love can it not it can hate I am sure | D |
| And it's friendly enough though in friends it be poor | D |
| For itself though it bleed not for others it bleeds | G |
| If it have not ripe virtues I'm sure it's the seeds | G |
| And though far from faultless or even so so | G |
| I think it may pass as our worldly things go | G |
| - | |
| Well I've told you my frailties without any gloss | G |
| Then as to my virtues I'm quite at a loss | G |
| I think I'm devout and yet I can't say | I |
| But in process of time I may get the wrong way | I |
| I'm a general lover if that's commendation | C |
| And yet can't withstand you know whose fascination | C |
| But I find that amidst all my tricks and devices | G |
| In fishing for virtues I'm pulling up vices | G |
| So as for the good why if I possess it | L |
| I am not yet learned enough to express it | L |
| - | |
| You yourself must examine the lovelier side | N |
| And after your every art you have tried | N |
| Whatever my faults I may venture to say | I |
| Hypocrisy never will come in your way | I |
| I am upright I hope I'm downright I'm clear | D |
| And I think my worst foe must allow I'm sincere | D |
| And if ever sincerity glow'd in my breast | O |
| 'Tis now when I swear | D |
Henry Kirk White
(1)
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