Sheep-sheering Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIJEKELMNOPQR STUVWXYZZA2B2C2D2E2F 2ZZG2H2I2ZZJ2E2K2L2Z XM2ZN2| In one diffusive band | A |
| They drive the troubled flocks by many a dog | B |
| Compell'd to where the mazy running brook | C |
| Forms a deep pool this bank abrupt and high | D |
| And that fair spreading in a pebbled shore | E |
| Urged to the giddy brink much is the toil | F |
| The clamour much of men and boys and dogs | G |
| Ere the soft fearful people to the flood | H |
| Commit their woolly sides And oft the swain | I |
| On some impatient seizing hurls them in | J |
| Embolden'd then nor hesitating more | E |
| Fast fast they plunge amid the flashing wave | K |
| And panting labour to the farther shore | E |
| Repeated this till deep the well wash'd fleece | L |
| Has drunk the flood and from his lively haunt | M |
| The trout is banish'd by the sordid stream | N |
| Heavy and dripping to the breezy brow | O |
| Slow move the harmless race where as they spread | P |
| Inly disturbed and wondering what this wild | Q |
| Outrageous tumult means their loud complaints | R |
| The coutry fill and toss'd from rock to rock | S |
| Incessant bleatings run around the hills | T |
| At last of snowy white the gather'd flocks | U |
| Are in the wattled pen innumerous press'd | V |
| Head above head and ranged in lusty rows | W |
| The shepherds sit and whet the sounding shears | X |
| The housewife waits to roll her fleecy stores | Y |
| With all her gay dress'd maids attending round | Z |
| One chief in gracious dignity enthroned | Z |
| Shines o'er the rest the pastoral queen and rays | A2 |
| Her smiles sweet beaming on her shepherd king | B2 |
| While the glad circle round them yield their souls | C2 |
| To festive mirth and wit that knows no gall | D2 |
| Meantime their joyous task goes on apace | E2 |
| Some mingling stir the melted tar and some | F2 |
| Deep on the new shorn vagrant's heaving side | Z |
| To stamp the master's cipher ready stand | Z |
| Others th' unwilling wether drag along | G2 |
| And glorying in his might the sturdy boy | H2 |
| Holds by the twisted horns the indignant ram | I2 |
| Behold where bound and of its robe bereft | Z |
| By needy man that all depending lord | Z |
| How meek how patient the mild creature lies | J2 |
| What softness in its melancholy face | E2 |
| What dumb complaining innocence appears | K2 |
| Fear not ye gentle tribes 'tis not the knife | L2 |
| Of horrid slaughter that is o'er you waved | Z |
| No 'tis the tender swain's well guided shears | X |
| Who having now to pay his annual care | M2 |
| Borrow'd your fleece to you a cumbrous load | Z |
| Will send you bounding to your hills again | N2 |
James Thomson
(1)
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About Sheep-sheering
Sheep-sheering is a poem by James Thomson. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
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