Hidden Sins Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCD EFEFGHGH IFIFJKJK JLJLJMJM| FOR every sin that comes before the light | A |
| And leaves an outward blemish on the soul | B |
| How many darker cower out of sight | A |
| And burrow blind and silent like the mole | B |
| And like the mole too with its busy feet | C |
| That dig and dig a never ending cave | D |
| Our hidden sins gnaw through the soul and meet | C |
| And feast upon each other in its grave | D |
| - | |
| A buried sin is like a covered sore | E |
| That spreads and festers 'neath a painted face | F |
| And no man's art can heal it evermore | E |
| But only His the Surgeon's promised grace | F |
| Who hides a sin is like the hunter who | G |
| Once warmed a frozen adder with his breath | H |
| And when he placed it near his heart it flew | G |
| With poisoned fangs and stung that heart to death | H |
| - | |
| A sculptor once a granite statue made | I |
| One sided only just to fit its place | F |
| The unseen side was monstrous so men shade | I |
| Their evil acts behind a smiling face | F |
| O blind O foolish thus our sins to hide | J |
| And force our pleading hearts the gall to sip | K |
| O cowards who must eat the myrrh that Pride | J |
| May smile like Virtue with a lying lip | K |
| - | |
| A sin admitted is nigh half atoned | J |
| And while the fault is red and freshly done | L |
| If we but dropp our eyes and think 'tis owned | J |
| 'Tis half forgiven half the crown is won | L |
| But if we heedless let it reek and rot | J |
| Then pile a mountain on its grave and turn | M |
| With smiles to all the world that tainted spot | J |
| Beneath the mound will never cease to burn | M |
John Boyle O'reilly
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