The Members And The Belly Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BBCCDEEFGEHHIJGGK LMMNOOPPQQHH RRGGSSTUUT VVIWBBE XXYYZZ| A | |
| - | |
| Perhaps had I but shown due loyalty | B |
| This book would have begun with royalty | B |
| Of which in certain points of view | C |
| Boss Belly is the image true | C |
| In whose bereavements all the members share | D |
| Of whom the latter once so weary were | E |
| As all due service to forbear | E |
| On what they called his idle plan | F |
| Resolved to play the gentleman | G |
| And let his lordship live on air | E |
| 'Like burden beasts ' said they | H |
| 'We sweat from day to day | H |
| And all for whom and what | I |
| Ourselves we profit not | J |
| Our labour has no object but one | G |
| That is to feed this lazy glutton | G |
| We'll learn the resting trade | K |
| By his example's aid ' | - |
| So said so done all labour ceased | L |
| The hands refused to grasp the arms to strike | M |
| All other members did the like | M |
| Their boss might labour if he pleased | N |
| It was an error which they soon repented | O |
| With pain of languid poverty acquainted | O |
| The heart no more the blood renew'd | P |
| And hence repair no more accrued | P |
| To ever wasting strength | Q |
| Whereby the mutineers at length | Q |
| Saw that the idle belly in its way | H |
| Did more for common benefit than they | H |
| - | |
| For royalty our fable makes | R |
| A thing that gives as well as takes | R |
| Its power all labour to sustain | G |
| Nor for themselves turns out their labour vain | G |
| It gives the artist bread the merchant riches | S |
| Maintains the diggers in their ditches | S |
| Pays man of war and magistrate | T |
| Supports the swarms in place | U |
| That live on sovereign grace | U |
| In short is caterer for the state | T |
| - | |
| Menenius told the story well | V |
| When Rome of old in pieces fell | V |
| The commons parting from the senate | I |
| 'The ills ' said they 'that we complain at | W |
| Are that the honours treasures power and dignity | B |
| Belong to them alone while we | B |
| Get nought our labour for | E |
| But tributes taxes and fatigues of war ' | - |
| Without the walls the people had their stand | X |
| Prepared to march in search of other land | X |
| When by this noted fable | Y |
| Menenius was able | Y |
| To draw them hungry home | Z |
| To duty and to Rome | Z |
Jean De La Fontaine
(1)
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