A Ballad Of John Nicholson Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCB CDED FAGA HIJI EKLK MNDN OPAP QRSR GTUT JVWV ETXP EYIZ A2B2C2B2 JEAE OKAK JD2QD2 E2EAE F2CG2C H2I2J2I2 IK2I2K2

It fell in the year of MutinyA
At darkest of the nightB
John Nicholson by Jalandhar cameC
On his way to Delhi fightB
-
And as he by Jalandhar cameC
He thought what he must doD
And he sent to the Rajah fair greetingE
To try if he were trueD
-
God grant your Highness length of daysF
And friends when need shall beA
And I pray you send your Captains hitherG
That they may speak with meA
-
On the morrow through Jalandhar townH
The Captains rode in stateI
They came to the house of John NicholsonJ
And stood before the gateI
-
The chief of them was Mehtab SinghE
He was both proud and slyK
His turban gleamed with rubies redL
He held his chin full highK
-
He marked his fellows how they putM
Their shoes from off their feetN
Now wherefore make ye such adoD
These fallen lords to greetN
-
They have ruled us for a hundred yearsO
In truth I know not howP
But though they be fain of masteryA
They dare not claim it nowP
-
Right haughtily before them allQ
The durbar hall he trodR
With rubies red his turban gleamedS
His feet with pride were shodR
-
They had not been an hour togetherG
A scanty hour or soT
When Mehtab Singh rose in his placeU
And turned about to goT
-
Then swiftly came John NicholsonJ
Between the door and himV
With anger smouldering in his eyesW
That made the rubies dimV
-
You are over hasty Mehtab SinghE
Oh but his voice was lowT
He held his wrath with a curb of ironX
That furrowed cheek and browP
-
You are overhasty Mehtab SinghE
When that the rest are goneY
I have a word that may not waitI
To speak with you aloneZ
-
The Captains passed in silence forthA2
And stood the door behindB2
To go before the game was playedC2
Be sure they had no mindB2
-
But there within John NicholsonJ
Turned him on Mehtab SinghE
So long as the soul is in my bodyA
You shall not do this thingE
-
Have ye served us for a hundred yearsO
And yet ye know not whyK
We brook no doubt of our masteryA
We rule until we dieK
-
Were I the one last EnglishmanJ
Drawing the breath of lifeD2
And you the master rebel of allQ
That stir this land to strifeD2
-
Were I he said but a CorporalE2
And you a Rajput KingE
So long as the soul was in my bodyA
You should not do this thingE
-
Take off take off those shoes of prideF2
Carry them whence they cameC
Your Captains saw your insolenceG2
And they shall see your shameC
-
When Mehtab Singh came to the doorH2
His shoes they burned his handI2
For there in long and silent linesJ2
He saw the Captains standI2
-
When Mehtab Singh rode from the gateI
His chin was on his breastK2
The Captains said When the strong commandI2
Obedience is bestK2

Henry Newbolt



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