The Turkey, Peacock, And Goose Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AA BBCDEEFFGG HHII JJKK LLDCMMKKIGNN GGGG| As specks appear on fields of snow | A |
| So blemishes on beauty show | A |
| - | |
| A peacock fed in a farm yard | B |
| Where all the poultry eyed him hard | B |
| They looked on him with evil eye | C |
| And mocked his sumptuous pageantry | D |
| Proud of the glories he inherited | E |
| He sought the praises they well merited | E |
| Then to surprise their dazzled sight | F |
| He spread his glories to the light | F |
| His glories spread no sooner seen | G |
| Than rose their malice and their spleen | G |
| - | |
| Behold his insolence and pride | H |
| His haughtiness the turkey cried | H |
| He trusts in feathers but within | I |
| They serve to hide his negro skin | I |
| - | |
| What hideous legs exclaimed the goose | J |
| The tail to hide them were of use | J |
| And hearken to his voice it howls | K |
| Enough to frighten midnight owls | K |
| - | |
| Yes they are blemishes I own | L |
| Replied the peacock harsh the tone | L |
| Is of my voice no symmetry | D |
| In my poor legs yet had your eye | C |
| Been pleased to mark my radiant train | M |
| You might have spared detraction's vein | M |
| For if these shanks which you traduce | K |
| Belonged to turkey or to goose | K |
| Or had the voice still harsher been | I |
| They had not been remarked or seen | G |
| But Envy unto beauties blind | N |
| Seeks blemishes to soothe her mind | N |
| - | |
| So have we in the midnight scene | G |
| Seen purity with face serene | G |
| Awake the clamour of detraction | G |
| From jaundiced Envy's yellow faction | G |
John Gay
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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