The Ghost Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCD EEFFCC GGHHCC IIJJCC KKLLCC MMNNC OOPPCC AQAJJC| Down the street as I was drifting with the city's human tide | A |
| Came a ghost and for a moment walked in silence by my side | A |
| Now my heart was hard and bitter and a bitter spirit he | B |
| So I felt no great aversion to his ghostly company | B |
| Said the Shade At finer feelings let your lip in scorn be curled | C |
| Self and Pelf' my friend has ever been the motto for the world ' | D |
| - | |
| And he said If you'd be happy you must clip your fancy's wings | E |
| Stretch your conscience at the edges to the size of earthly things | E |
| Never fight another's battle for a friend can never know | F |
| When he'll gladly fly for succour to the bosom of the foe | F |
| At the power of truth and friendship let your lip in scorn be curled | C |
| Self and Pelf' my friend remember is the motto of the world | C |
| - | |
| Where Society is mighty always truckle to her rule | G |
| Never send an i' undotted to the teacher of a school | G |
| Only fight a wrong or falsehood when the crowd is at your back | H |
| And till Charity repay you shut the purse and let her pack | H |
| At the fools who would do other let your lip in scorn be curled | C |
| Self and Pelf' my friend remember that's the motto of the world | C |
| - | |
| Ne'er assail the shaky ladders Fame has from her niches hung | I |
| Lest unfriendly heels above you grind your fingers from the rung | I |
| Or the fools who idle under envious of your fair renown | J |
| Heedless of the pain you suffer do their worst to shake you down | J |
| At the praise of men or censure let your lip in scorn be curled | C |
| Self and Pelf' my friend remember is the motto of the world | C |
| - | |
| Flowing founts of inspiration leave their sources parched and dry | K |
| Scalding tears of indignation sear the hearts that beat too high | K |
| Chilly waters thrown upon it drown the fire that's in the bard | L |
| And the banter of the critic hurts his heart till it grows hard | L |
| At the fame your muse may offer let your lip in scorn be curled | C |
| Self and Pelf' my friend remember that's the motto of the world | C |
| - | |
| Shun the fields of love where lightly to a low and mocking tune | M |
| Strong and useful lives are ruined and the broken hearts are strewn | M |
| Not a farthing is the value of the honest love you hold | N |
| Call it lust and make it serve you Set your heart on nought but gold | N |
| At the bliss of purer passions let your lip in scorn be curled | C |
| Self and Pelf' my friend shall ever be the motto of the world ' | - |
| - | |
| Then he ceased and looked intently in my face and nearer drew | O |
| But a sudden deep repugnance to his presence thrilled me through | O |
| Then I saw his face was cruel by the look that o'er it stole | P |
| Then I felt his breath was poison by the shuddering of my soul | P |
| Then I guessed his purpose evil by his lip in sneering curled | C |
| And I knew he slandered mankind by my knowledge of the world | C |
| - | |
| But he vanished as a purer brighter presence gained my side | A |
| Heed him not there's truth and friendship | Q |
| in this wondrous world ' she cried | A |
| And of those who cleave to virtue in their climbing for renown | J |
| Only they who faint or falter from the height are shaken down | J |
| At a cynic's baneful teaching let your lip in scorn be curled | C |
| Brotherhood and Love and Honour ' is the motto for the world ' | - |
Henry Lawson
(1)
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