Phoebe's Wooing. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCB DEFE GHIH JKLK MNON NPLP QRLR STLT UNVN WXBX YRBR LHXH NZA2Z SXB2X ENC2N UNVN PLRL D2EE2E QXLX LLQLPhoebe Phoebe Where is the chit | A |
When I want her most she's out of the way | B |
Child you're running a long account | C |
Up to be squared on Judgment day | B |
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Where have you been and what have you there | D |
To the pasture for buttercups wet with dew | E |
My patience I think you are out of your wits | F |
I wonder what good will buttercups do | E |
- | |
There's pennyroyal you might have got | G |
It might have been useful to you or me | H |
But I never heard in all my life | I |
Of buttercup cordial or buttercup tea | H |
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I want you to stay and mind the bread | J |
I've just put two loaves in the oven to bake | K |
When they are clone take them carefully out | L |
And put in their place this loaf of cake | K |
- | |
While I run over to Widow Brown's | M |
Her son from the mines has just got back | N |
I don't believe he's a cent in his purse | O |
Young men are so shiftless now alack | N |
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It was very different when I was young | N |
Young men were prudent and girls were wise | P |
You wouldn't catch them gadding about | L |
Like so many idle butterflies | P |
- | |
So bustled and scolded the worthy dame | Q |
Until she had passed the outer sill | R |
To do her justice it seldom chanced | L |
That her hands were idle or tongue was still | R |
- | |
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So Phoebe gathered her knitting up | S |
And sat her down in the chimney niche | T |
But her mind was on other thoughts intent | L |
And here and there she dropped a stitch | T |
- | |
The yellow kitten purred on the hearth | U |
While the kitchen clock with its frame of oak | N |
In the corner stood like a sentinel | V |
And challenged time with its measured stroke | N |
- | |
But Phoebe's mind was on none of these | W |
The bread in the oven her good aunt's frown | X |
And the scene before her faded away | B |
And blended with thoughts of Reuben Brown | X |
- | |
How they walked together on summer days | Y |
Or bravely faced the winter's chill | R |
And chatted merrily all the way | B |
To the little school house on Sligo Hill | R |
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How both grew older and school days passed | L |
When he was a youth and a maiden she | H |
How often she went with Reuben Brown | X |
To the rustic dance or the social bee | H |
- | |
The warm flush deepened on Phoebe's cheek | N |
And she breathed a low half conscious sigh | Z |
Ah well a day they were happy times | A2 |
But he has forgotten and so must I | Z |
- | |
So Phoebe gathered her knitting up | S |
Which while she was thinking had fallen down | X |
When her quick ear caught a strange footfall | B2 |
And there in the doorway stood Reuben Brown | X |
- | |
With the same frank handsome face she knew | E |
A smile as bright and an eye as black | N |
Phoebe he said I have wandered far | C2 |
Are you glad to see your playmate back | N |
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The kitten still purred on the kitchen hearth | U |
And the ancient clock with its frame of oak | N |
In the corner stood like a sentinel | V |
And challenged time with its measured stroke | N |
- | |
A pleased light shone in the maiden's eyes | P |
Ah love young love it is very sweet | L |
Reuben had gone but she sat quite still | R |
And the knitting lay untouched at her feet | L |
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Just then the dame came bustling in | D2 |
And went to the oven without ado | E |
Why Phoebe child what have you done | E2 |
The bread is baked as black as my shoe | E |
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And Phoebe started and blushed for shame | Q |
Took up her knitting and dropped it down | X |
And when her aunt said What ails you child | L |
She hastily answered Reuben Brown | X |
- | |
Ah love young love it is very sweet | L |
In field or hamlet or crowded mart | L |
But it burns with the brightest purest flame | Q |
In the hidden depths of a young maid's heart | L |
Horatio Alger, Jr.
(1)
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