The Wandering Jew Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDEE FGFGHHEE IJIJKKEE LMLMMMEE MNMNOOEE PNPNQQEEThe stars are falling and the sky | A |
Is like a field of faded flowers | B |
The winds on weary wings go by | A |
The moon hides and the tempest lowers | B |
And still through every clime and age | C |
I wander on a pilgrimage | D |
That all men know an idle quest | E |
For that the goal I seek is Rest | E |
- | |
I hear the voice of summer streams | F |
And following I find the brink | G |
Of cooling springs with childish dreams | F |
Returning as I bend to drink | G |
But suddenly with startled eyes | H |
My face looks on its grim disguise | H |
Of long gray beard and so distressed | E |
I hasten on nor taste of rest | E |
- | |
I come upon a merry group | I |
Of children in the dusky wood | J |
Who answer back the owlet's whoop | I |
That laughs as it had understood | J |
And I would pause a little space | K |
But that each happy blossom face | K |
Is like to one His hands have blessed | E |
Who sent me forth in search of rest | E |
- | |
Sometimes I fain would stay my feet | L |
In shady lanes where huddled kine | M |
Couch in the grasses cool and sweet | L |
And lift their patient eyes to mine | M |
But I for thoughts that ever then | M |
Go back to Bethlehem again | M |
Must needs fare on my weary quest | E |
And weep for very need of rest | E |
- | |
Is there no end I plead in vain | M |
Lost worlds nor living answer me | N |
Since Pontius Pilate's awful reign | M |
Have I not passed eternity | N |
Have I not drunk the fetid breath | O |
Of every fevered phase of death | O |
And come unscathed through every pest | E |
And scourge and plague that promised rest | E |
- | |
Have I not seen the stars go out | P |
That shed their light o'er Galilee | N |
And mighty kingdoms tossed about | P |
And crumbled clod like in the sea | N |
Dead ashes of dead ages blow | Q |
And cover me like drifting snow | Q |
And time laughs on as 'twere a jest | E |
That I have any need of rest | E |
James Whitcomb Riley
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