The Universal Apparition Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB CC DDEE FFGG CCHHII JJEEKK EELLMMNN EEOO MMPP| A rake who had by pleasure stuffing | A |
| Raked mind and body down to nothing | A |
| In wretched vacancy reclined | B |
| Enfeebled both in frame and mind | B |
| - | |
| As pain and languor chose to bore him | C |
| A ghastly phantom rose before him | C |
| - | |
| My name is Care Nor wealth nor power | D |
| Can give the heart a cheerful hour | D |
| Devoid of health impressed by care | E |
| From pleasures fraught with pains forbear | E |
| - | |
| The phantom fled The rake abstained | F |
| And part of fleeing health retained | F |
| Then to reform he took a wife | G |
| Resolved to live a sober life | G |
| - | |
| Again the phantom stood before him | C |
| With jealousies and fears to bore him | C |
| Her smiles to others he resents | H |
| Looks to the charges and the rents | H |
| Increasing debts perplexing duns | I |
| And nothing for the younger sons | I |
| - | |
| He turned his thoughts to lucre's thirst | J |
| And stored until his garners burst | J |
| The spectre haunted him the more | E |
| Then poverty besieged his door | E |
| He feared the burglar and the thief | K |
| Nor light nor darkness brought relief | K |
| - | |
| Therefore he turned his thoughts to power | E |
| To guard him in the midnight hour | E |
| That he achieved and then the sprite | L |
| Beleagued him morning noon and night | L |
| He had no placid hour for rest | M |
| Envy and hate his soul depressed | M |
| And rivalry and foe for friend | N |
| And footfalls which his steps attend | N |
| - | |
| Therefore he sought a rustic bower | E |
| Groves fields and fruit trees filled each hour | E |
| But droughts and rains and blighting dews | O |
| On foot on horseback Care pursues | O |
| - | |
| He faced the phantom and addressed | M |
| Since you must ever be my guest | M |
| Let me as host perform my due | P |
| Go you the first I'll follow you | P |
John Gay
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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