On The Death Of A Very Young Gentleman Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDEFFGGHHIJKKLL MNJJOOPPJJGGQQJJJJRR QQSTSJJEEUDFFAA| He who could view the book of destiny | A |
| And read whatever there was writ of thee | A |
| O charming youth in the first opening page | B |
| So many graces in so green an age | B |
| Such wit such modesty such strength of mind | C |
| A soul at once so manly and so kind | C |
| Would wonder when he turned the volume o'er | D |
| And after some few leaves should find no more | E |
| Nought but a blank remain a dead void space | F |
| A step of life that promised such a race | F |
| We must not dare not think that heaven began | G |
| A child and could not finish him a man | G |
| Reflecting what a mighty store was laid | H |
| Of rich materials and a model made | H |
| The cost already furnished so bestowed | I |
| As more was never to one soul allowed | J |
| Yet after this profusion spent in vain | K |
| Nothing but mouldering ashes to remain | K |
| I guess not lest I split upon the shelf | L |
| Yet durst I guess heaven kept it for himself | L |
| And giving us the use did soon recall | M |
| Ere we could spare the mighty principal | N |
| Thus then he disappeared was rarified | J |
| For 'tis improper speech to say he died | J |
| He was exhaled his great Creator drew | O |
| His spirit as the sun the morning dew | O |
| 'Tis sin produces death and he had none | P |
| But the taint Adam left on every son | P |
| He added not he was so pure so good | J |
| 'Twas but the original forfeit of his blood | J |
| And that so little that the river ran | G |
| More clear than the corrupted fount began | G |
| Nothing remained of the first muddy clay | Q |
| The length of course had washed it in the way | Q |
| So deep and yet so clear we might behold | J |
| The gravel bottom and that bottom gold | J |
| As such we loved admired almost adored | J |
| Gave all the tribute mortals could afford | J |
| Perhaps we gave so much the powers above | R |
| Grew angry at our superstitious love | R |
| For when we more than human homage pay | Q |
| The charming cause is justly snatched away | Q |
| Thus was the crime not his but ours alone | S |
| And yet we murmur that he went so soon | T |
| Though miracles are short and rarely shown | S |
| Learn then ye mournful parents and divide | J |
| That love in many which in one was tied | J |
| That individual blessing is no more | E |
| But multiplied in your remaining store | E |
| The flame's dispersed but does not all expire | U |
| The sparkles blaze though not the globe of fire | D |
| Love him by parts in all your numerous race | F |
| And from those parts form one collected grace | F |
| Then when you have refined to that degree | A |
| Imagine all in one and think that one is he | A |
John Dryden
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