Courtier And Proteus Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCD EEFF GG HI JJKKFF AALLMMNN OPQR JJAASSTT UUJJVVAAJJThe country shelters the disgrace | A |
Of every courtier out of place | A |
When doomed to exercise and health | B |
O'er his estate he scatters wealth | B |
There he builds schemes for others' ruin | C |
As Philip's son of old was doing | D |
- | |
A wandless one upon the strand | E |
Wandered with heavy hours on hand | E |
The murmuring waters ran and broke | F |
Proteus arose and him bespoke | F |
- | |
Come ye from court I ask Your mien | G |
Is so importantly serene | G |
- | |
The courtier answered friends had tricked him | H |
And that he was a party's victim | I |
- | |
Proteus replied I hold the skill | J |
To change to any shape at will | J |
But I am told at court there be | K |
Fellows who more than rival me | K |
Now see a form that I can take | F |
And Proteus rolled a scaly snake | F |
- | |
The man replied Of reptile race | A |
Is every courtier whilst in place | A |
Yes they can take the dragon form | L |
Bask in the sun and flee the storm | L |
With envy glare with malice gloat | M |
And cast like you your skin their coat | M |
And in a dunghill born and bred | N |
With new born lustre rear the head | N |
- | |
Then Proteus as a lion stood | O |
And shook his mane and stirred the flood | P |
Then soused as waters soared as fire | Q |
Then as a tigress glared with ire | R |
- | |
Such transformations might appal | J |
Had I not stood in regal hall | J |
We hunt the lion utilise | A |
The elements without surprise | A |
Such forms indeed are things of prey | S |
And courtiers hunt them though they bray | S |
They practise frauds in every shape | T |
Or as a lion or an ape | T |
- | |
So said the courtier grasped the god | U |
Bound him with cords dragged to the sod | U |
And said Now tell me Proteus tell | J |
Do men or ancient gods excel | J |
For you are bound to tell the truth | V |
Nor are your transformations sooth | V |
But courtiers are not bound by ties | A |
They consort not with truth but lies | A |
Fix on him any form you will | J |
A courtier finds evasion still | J |
John Gay
(1)
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