The Lion And The Gnat Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCDCDE FGFGHHIIBBJJKKLLMMNN OOPPQQRRSSKKTT UVUV| A | |
| - | |
| 'Go paltry insect nature's meanest brat ' | - |
| Thus said the royal lion to the gnat | B |
| The gnat declared immediate war | C |
| 'Think you ' said he 'your royal name | D |
| To me worth caring for | C |
| Think you I tremble at your power or fame | D |
| The ox is bigger far than you | E |
| Yet him I drive and all his crew ' | - |
| This said as one that did no fear owe | F |
| Himself he blew the battle charge | G |
| Himself both trumpeter and hero | F |
| At first he play'd about at large | G |
| Then on the lion's neck at leisure settled | H |
| And there the royal beast full sorely nettled | H |
| With foaming mouth and flashing eye | I |
| He roars All creatures hide or fly | I |
| Such mortal terror at | B |
| The work of one poor gnat | B |
| With constant change of his attack | J |
| The snout now stinging now the back | J |
| And now the chambers of the nose | K |
| The pigmy fly no mercy shows | K |
| The lion's rage was at its height | L |
| His viewless foe now laugh'd outright | L |
| When on his battle ground he saw | M |
| That every savage tooth and claw | M |
| Had got its proper beauty | N |
| By doing bloody duty | N |
| Himself the hapless lion tore his hide | O |
| And lash'd with sounding tail from side to side | O |
| Ah bootless blow and bite and curse | P |
| He beat the harmless air and worse | P |
| For though so fierce and stout | Q |
| By effort wearied out | Q |
| He fainted fell gave up the quarrel | R |
| The gnat retires with verdant laurel | R |
| Now rings his trumpet clang | S |
| As at the charge it rang | S |
| But while his triumph note he blows | K |
| Straight on our valiant conqueror goes | K |
| A spider's ambuscade to meet | T |
| And make its web his winding sheet | T |
| - | |
| We often have the most to fear | U |
| From those we most despise | V |
| Again great risks a man may clear | U |
| Who by the smallest dies | V |
Jean De La Fontaine
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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