The Monkey And The Dolphin Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCDCEEFGFGHIHIJJKKLC CMNN JJO P QQRSSRIITTIUU| A | |
| - | |
| It was the custom of the Greeks | B |
| For passengers o'er sea to carry | C |
| Both monkeys full of tricks | D |
| And funny dogs to make them merry | C |
| A ship that had such things on deck | E |
| Not far from Athens went to wreck | E |
| But for the dolphins all had drown'd | F |
| They are a philanthropic fish | G |
| Which fact in Pliny may be found | F |
| A better voucher who could wish | G |
| They did their best on this occasion | H |
| A monkey even on their plan | I |
| Well nigh attain'd his own salvation | H |
| A dolphin took him for a man | I |
| And on his dorsal gave him place | J |
| So grave the silly creature's face | J |
| That one might well have set him down | K |
| That old musician of renown | K |
| The fish had almost reach'd the land | L |
| When as it happen'd what a pity | C |
| He ask'd 'Are you from Athens grand ' | - |
| 'Yes well they know me in that city | C |
| If ever you have business there | M |
| I'll help you do it for my kin | N |
| The highest offices are in | N |
| My cousin sir is now lord mayor ' | - |
| The dolphin thank'd him with good grace | J |
| Both for himself and all his race | J |
| And ask'd 'You doubtless know Piraeus | O |
| Where should we come to town you'll see us ' | - |
| 'Piraeus yes indeed I know | P |
| He was my crony long ago ' | - |
| The dunce knew not the harbour's name | Q |
| And for a man's mistook the same | Q |
| The people are by no means few | R |
| Who never went ten miles from home | S |
| Nor know their market town from Rome | S |
| Yet cackle just as if they knew | R |
| The dolphin laugh'd and then began | I |
| His rider's form and face to scan | I |
| And found himself about to save | T |
| From fishy feasts beneath the wave | T |
| A mere resemblance of a man | I |
| So plunging down he turn'd to find | U |
| Some drowning wight of human kind | U |
Jean De La Fontaine
(1)
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