The Cat And The Two Sparrows Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A B CDDCEEFFGGHHIIJJKLKK KKMKMKN NKK KOOOPPQRKK| A | |
| - | |
| To Monseigneur The Duke De Bourgogne | B |
| - | |
| Contemporary with a sparrow tame | C |
| There lived a cat from tenderest age | D |
| Of both the basket and the cage | D |
| Had household gods the same | C |
| The bird's sharp beak full oft provoked the cat | E |
| Who play'd in turn but with a gentle pat | E |
| His wee friend sparing with a merry laugh | F |
| Not punishing his faults by half | F |
| In short he scrupled much the harm | G |
| Should he with points his ferule arm | G |
| The sparrow less discreet than he | H |
| With dagger beak made very free | H |
| Sir Cat a person wise and staid | I |
| Excused the warmth with which he play'd | I |
| For 'tis full half of friendship's art | J |
| To take no joke in serious part | J |
| Familiar since they saw the light | K |
| Mere habit kept their friendship good | L |
| Fair play had never turn'd to fight | K |
| Till of their neighbourhood | K |
| Another sparrow came to greet | K |
| Old Ratto grave and saucy Pete | K |
| Between the birds a quarrel rose | M |
| And Ratto took his side | K |
| 'A pretty stranger with such blows | M |
| To beat our friend ' he cried | K |
| 'A neighbour's sparrow eating ours | N |
| Not so by all the feline powers ' | - |
| And quick the stranger he devours | N |
| 'Now truly ' saith Sir Cat | K |
| I know how sparrows taste by that | K |
| Exquisite tender delicate ' | - |
| This thought soon seal'd the other's fate | K |
| But hence what moral can I bring | O |
| For lacking that important thing | O |
| A fable lacks its finishing | O |
| I seem to see of one some trace | P |
| But still its shadow mocks my chase | P |
| Yours prince it will not thus abuse | Q |
| For you such sports and not my muse | R |
| In wit she and her sisters eight | K |
| Would fail to match you with a mate | K |
Jean De La Fontaine
(1)
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