The Brother Of Mercy Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABBACC DEDFFGGHHII JKKLLGGHMNHOPPOJJQRQ R STTUAAUJJVVVWWXXYYZZ A2A2B2B2PPC2D2E2E2NN U F2F2 G2H2H2I2J2 K2K2 L2M2L2M2N2 O2

Piero Luca known of all the townA
As the gray porter by the Pitti wallB
Where the noon shadows of the gardens fallB
Sick and in dolor waited to lay downA
His last sad burden and beside his matC
The barefoot monk of La Certosa satC
-
Unseen in square and blossoming garden driftedD
Soft sunset lights through green Val d'Arno siftedE
Unheard below the living shuttles shiftedD
Backward and forth and wove in love or strifeF
In mirth or pain the mottled web of lifeF
But when at last came upward from the streetG
Tinkle of bell and tread of measured feetG
The sick man started strove to rise in vainH
Sinking back heavily with a moan of painH
And the monk said ''T is but the BrotherhoodI
Of Mercy going on some errand goodI
Their black masks by the palace wall I see '-
Piero answered faintly 'Woe is meJ
This day for the first time in forty yearsK
In vain the bell hath sounded in my earsK
Calling me with my brethren of the maskL
Beggar and prince alike to some new taskL
Of love or pity haply from the streetG
To bear a wretch plague stricken or with feetG
Hushed to the quickened ear and feverish brainH
To tread the crowded lazaretto's floorsM
Down the long twilight of the corridorsN
Midst tossing arms and faces full of painH
I loved the work it was its own rewardO
I never counted on it to offsetP
My sins which are many or make less my debtP
To the free grace and mercy of our LordO
But somehow father it has come to beJ
In these long years so much a part of meJ
I should not know myself if lacking itQ
But with the work the worker too would dieR
And in my place some other self would sitQ
Joyful or sad what matters if not IR
And now all's over Woe is me ' 'My son '-
The monk said soothingly 'thy work is doneS
And no more as a servant but the guestT
Of God thou enterest thy eternal restT
No toil no tears no sorrow for the lostU
Shall mar thy perfect bliss Thou shalt sit downA
Clad in white robes and wear a golden crownA
Forever and forever ' Piero tossedU
On his sick pillow 'Miserable meJ
I am too poor for such grand companyJ
The crown would be too heavy for this grayV
Old head and God forgive me if I sayV
It would be hard to sit there night and dayV
Like an image in the Tribune doing naughtW
With these hard hands that all my life have wroughtW
Not for bread only but for pity's sakeX
I'm dull at prayers I could not keep awakeX
Counting my beads Mine's but a crazy headY
Scarce worth the saving if all else be deadY
And if one goes to heaven without a heartZ
God knows he leaves behind his better partZ
I love my fellow men the worst I knowA2
I would do good to Will death change me soA2
That I shall sit among the lazy saintsB2
Turning a deaf ear to the sore complaintsB2
Of souls that suffer Why I never yetP
Left a poor dog in the strada hard besetP
Or ass o'erladen Must I rate man lessC2
Than dog or ass in holy selfishnessD2
Methinks Lord pardon if the thought be sinE2
The world of pain were better if thereinE2
One's heart might still be human and desiresN
Of natural pity drop upon its firesN
Some cooling tears '-
-
Thereat the pale monk crossedU
His brow and muttering 'Madman thou art lost '-
Took up his pyx and fled and left aloneF2
The sick man closed his eyes with a great groanF2
That sank into a prayer 'Thy will be done '-
Then was he made aware by soul or earG2
Of somewhat pure and holy bending o'er himH2
And of a voice like that of her who bore himH2
Tender and most compassionate 'Never fearI2
For heaven is love as God himself is loveJ2
Thy work below shall be thy work above '-
And when he looked lo in the stern monk's placeK2
He saw the shining of an angel's faceK2
-
-
-
-
The Traveller broke the pause 'I've seenL2
The Brothers down the long street stealM2
Black silent masked the crowd betweenL2
And felt to doff my hat and kneelM2
With heart if not with knee in prayerN2
For blessings on their pious care '-
-
Reader wiped his glasses 'Friends of mineO2
I'll try our home brewed next instead of foreign wine '-

John Greenleaf Whittier



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