The Legend Of The Horseshoe Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABCDDEEFFEG FFFFHHIIFFFFJKGGFF LLMMFFNNEEKJ FFFFOOGGFFEEPLFFQRFF FF| WHAT time our Lord still walk'd the earth | A |
| Unknown despised of humble birth | A |
| And on Him many a youth attended | B |
| His words they seldom comprehended | C |
| It ever seem'd to Him most meet | D |
| To hold His court in open street | D |
| As under heaven's broad canopy | E |
| One speaks with greater liberty | E |
| The teachings of His blessed word | F |
| From out His holy mouth were heard | F |
| Each market to a fane turn'd He | E |
| With parable and simile | G |
| - | |
| One day as tow'rd a town He roved | F |
| In peace of mind with those He loved | F |
| Upon the path a something gleam'd | F |
| A broken horseshoe 'twas it seem'd | F |
| So to St Peter thus He spake | H |
| That piece of iron prythee take | H |
| St Peter's thoughts had gone astray | I |
| He had been musing on his way | I |
| Respecting the world's government | F |
| A dream that always gives content | F |
| For in the head 'tis check'd by nought | F |
| This ever was his dearest thought | F |
| For him this prize was far too mean | J |
| Had it a crown and sceptre been | K |
| But surely 'twasn't worth the trouble | G |
| For half a horseshoe to bend double | G |
| And so he turn'd away his head | F |
| As if he heard not what was said | F |
| - | |
| The Lord forbearing tow'rd all men | L |
| Himself pick'd up the horseshoe then | L |
| He ne'er again like this stoop'd down | M |
| And when at length they reach'd the town | M |
| Before a smithy He remain'd | F |
| And there a penny for 't obtain'd | F |
| As they the market place went by | N |
| Some beauteous cherries caught His eye | N |
| Accordingly He bought as many | E |
| As could be purchased for a penny | E |
| And then as oft His wont had been | K |
| Placed them within His sleeve unseen | J |
| - | |
| They went out by another gate | F |
| O'er plains and fields proceeding straight | F |
| No house or tree was near the spot | F |
| The sun was bright the day was hot | F |
| In short the weather being such | O |
| A draught of water was worth much | O |
| The Lord walk'd on before them all | G |
| And let unseen a cherry fall | G |
| St Peter rush'd to seize it hold | F |
| As though an apple 'twere of gold | F |
| His palate much approv'd the berry | E |
| The Lord ere long another cherry | E |
| Once more let fall upon the plain | P |
| St Peter forthwith stoop'd again | L |
| The Lord kept making him thus bend | F |
| To pick up cherries without end | F |
| For a long time the thing went on | Q |
| The Lord then said in cheerful tone | R |
| Had'st thou but moved when thou wert bid | F |
| Thou of this trouble had'st been rid | F |
| The man who small things scorns will next | F |
| By things still smaller be perplex'd | F |
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about The Legend Of The Horseshoe poem by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Best Poems of Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe