Life's Hebe Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDD CCEEFF CCGGHH CCIIJJ CCKKLL MMNN CCOOPP CCQQRR STDDUUEEAAVVWW XXIN the early morning shine | A |
Of a certain day divine | A |
I beheld a Maiden stand | B |
With a pitcher in her hand | B |
Whence she poured into a cup | C |
Until it was half filled up | C |
Nectar that was golden light | D |
In the cup of crystal bright | D |
- | |
And the first who took the cup | C |
With pure water filled it up | C |
As he drank then it was more | E |
Ruddy golden than before | E |
And he leapt and danced and sang | F |
As to Bacchic cymbals clang | F |
- | |
But the next who took the cup | C |
With the red wine filled it up | C |
What he drank then was in hue | G |
Of a heavy sombre blue | G |
First he reeled and then he crept | H |
Then lay faint but never slept | H |
- | |
And the next who took the cup | C |
With the white milk filled it up | C |
What he drank at first seemed blood | I |
Then turned thick and brown as mud | I |
And he moved away as slow | J |
As a weary ox may go | J |
- | |
But the next who took the cup | C |
With sweet honey filled it up | C |
Nathless that which he did drink | K |
Was thin fluid black as ink | K |
As he went he stumbled soon | L |
And lay still in deathlike swoon | L |
- | |
She the while without a word | M |
Unto all the cup preferred | M |
Blandly smiled and sweetly laughed | N |
As each mingled his own draught | N |
- | |
And the next who took the cup | C |
To the sunshine held it up | C |
Gave it back and did not taste | O |
It was empty when replaced | O |
First he bowed a reverent bow | P |
Then he kissed her on the brow | P |
- | |
But the next who took the cup | C |
Without mixture drank it up | C |
When she took it back from him | Q |
It was full unto the brim | Q |
He with a right bold embrace | R |
Kissed her sweet lips face to face | R |
- | |
Then she sang with blithest cheer | S |
Who has thirst come here come here | T |
Nectar that is golden light | D |
In the cup of crystal bright | D |
Nectar that is sunny fire | U |
Warm as warmest heart s desire | U |
Pitcher never lacketh more | E |
Arm is never tired to pour | E |
Honey water milk or wine | A |
Mingle with the draught divine | A |
Drink it pure or drink it not | V |
Each is free to choose his lot | V |
Am I old or am I cold | W |
Only two have kissed me bold | W |
- | |
She was young and fair and gay | X |
As that young and glorious day | X |
James Thomson
(1)
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