Brown Of Ossawatomie Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABC DDEE FFGG HIJK LMNN AAOO| John Brown of Ossawatomie spake on his dying day | A |
| 'I will not have to shrive my soul a priest in Slavery's pay | A |
| But let some poor slave mother whom I have striven to free | B |
| With her children from the gallows stair put up a prayer for me ' | C |
| - | |
| John Brown of Ossawatomie they led him out to die | D |
| And lo a poor slave mother with her little child pressed nigh | D |
| Then the bold blue eye grew tender and the old harsh face grew mild | E |
| As he stooped between the jeering ranks and kissed the negro's child | E |
| - | |
| The shadows of his stormy life that moment fell apart | F |
| And they who blamed the bloody hand forgave the loving heart | F |
| That kiss from all its guilty means redeemed the good intent | G |
| And round the grisly fighter's hair the martyr's aureole bent | G |
| - | |
| Perish with him the folly that seeks through evil good | H |
| Long live the generous purpose unstained with human blood | I |
| Not the raid of midnight terror but the thought which underlies | J |
| Not the borderer's pride of daring but the Christian's sacrifice | K |
| - | |
| Nevermore may yon Blue Ridges the Northern rifle hear | L |
| Nor see the light of blazing homes flash on the negro's spear | M |
| But let the free winged angel Truth their guarded passes scale | N |
| To teach that right is more than might and justice more than mail | N |
| - | |
| So vainly shall Virginia set her battle in array | A |
| In vain her trampling squadrons knead the winter snow with clay | A |
| She may strike the pouncing eagle but she dares not harm the dove | O |
| And every gate she bars to Hate shall open wide to Love | O |
John Greenleaf Whittier
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