The Eve Of St. Agnes Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCBBDBDD EFGFFHHHH IJKJJLJLL MNONNHNHH PQRQQSQSS LTLTTUTVV WXYXXZXZZ HTHTTA2TA2A2 ZHZHHA2HA2A2 RHRHHRHRR B2TB2TTHTHH TTTTTZTZZ QC2QC2C2PC2PP LHD2HHLHLL A2E2A2E2E2TE2TT HTHTTF2TF2F2 ZHZHHHHHH RG2RG2G2ZG2TH2 HTHTTTTTT B2ZB2ZZTZTT ZTZTTA2TA2A2 TZTZZTZTT A2TA2TTRTRR HHHHHHHHH A2TA2TTTTTT A2HA2HHTHTT TQTQQA2QA2A2 THTHHTHTT A2TA2TTA2TA2A2 I2TI2TTA2TA2A2 TTTTTG2TG2G2 J2F2J2F2F2HF2HH THTHHA2HA2A2 HI2HI2I2K2I2K2H A2ZA2ZZZZH2H2 ZHZHHHHHH HA2HA2A2G2A2G2G2 HHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHH HHHHHZHZZ HHHHHHHHH H2L2H2L2M2HL2HH

St Agnes' Eve Ah bitter chill it wasA
The owl for all his feathers was a coldB
The hare limp'd trembling through the frozen grassC
And silent was the flock in woolly foldB
Numb were the Beadsman's fingers while he toldB
His rosary and while his frosted breathD
Like pious incense from a censer oldB
Seem'd taking flight for heaven without a deathD
Past the sweet Virgin's picture while his prayer he saithD
-
His prayer he saith this patient holy manE
Then takes his lamp and riseth from his kneesF
And back returneth meagre barefoot wanG
Along the chapel aisle by slow degreesF
The sculptur'd dead on each side seem to freezeF
Emprison'd in black purgatorial railsH
Knights ladies praying in dumb orat'riesH
He passeth by and his weak spirit failsH
To think how they may ache in icy hoods and mailsH
-
Northward he turneth through a little doorI
And scarce three steps ere Music's golden tongueJ
Flatter'd to tears this aged man and poorK
But no already had his deathbell rungJ
The joys of all his life were said and sungJ
His was harsh penance on St Agnes' EveL
Another way he went and soon amongJ
Rough ashes sat he for his soul's reprieveL
And all night kept awake for sinners' sake to grieveL
-
That ancient Beadsman heard the prelude softM
And so it chanc'd for many a door was wideN
From hurry to and fro Soon up aloftO
The silver snarling trumpets 'gan to chideN
The level chambers ready with their prideN
Were glowing to receive a thousand guestsH
The carved angels ever eager eyedN
Star'd where upon their heads the cornice restsH
With hair blown back and wings put cross wise on their breastsH
-
At length burst in the argent revelryP
With plume tiara and all rich arrayQ
Numerous as shadows haunting faerilyR
The brain new stuff'd in youth with triumphs gayQ
Of old romance These let us wish awayQ
And turn sole thoughted to one Lady thereS
Whose heart had brooded all that wintry dayQ
On love and wing'd St Agnes' saintly careS
As she had heard old dames full many times declareS
-
They told her how upon St Agnes' EveL
Young virgins might have visions of delightT
And soft adorings from their loves receiveL
Upon the honey'd middle of the nightT
If ceremonies due they did arightT
As supperless to bed they must retireU
And couch supine their beauties lily whiteT
Nor look behind nor sideways but requireV
Of Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desireV
-
Full of this whim was thoughtful MadelineW
The music yearning like a God in painX
She scarcely heard her maiden eyes divineY
Fix'd on the floor saw many a sweeping trainX
Pass by she heeded not at all in vainX
Came many a tiptoe amorous cavalierZ
And back retir'd not cool'd by high disdainX
But she saw not her heart was otherwhereZ
She sigh'd for Agnes' dreams the sweetest of the yearZ
-
She danc'd along with vague regardless eyesH
Anxious her lips her breathing quick and shortT
The hallow'd hour was near at hand she sighsH
Amid the timbrels and the throng'd resortT
Of whisperers in anger or in sportT
'Mid looks of love defiance hate and scornA2
Hoodwink'd with faery fancy all amortT
Save to St Agnes and her lambs unshornA2
And all the bliss to be before to morrow mornA2
-
So purposing each moment to retireZ
She linger'd still Meantime across the moorsH
Had come young Porphyro with heart on fireZ
For Madeline Beside the portal doorsH
Buttress'd from moonlight stands he and imploresH
All saints to give him sight of MadelineA2
But for one moment in the tedious hoursH
That he might gaze and worship all unseenA2
Perchance speak kneel touch kiss in sooth such things have beenA2
-
He ventures in let no buzz'd whisper tellR
All eyes be muffled or a hundred swordsH
Will storm his heart Love's fev'rous citadelR
For him those chambers held barbarian hordesH
Hyena foemen and hot blooded lordsH
Whose very dogs would execrations howlR
Against his lineage not one breast affordsH
Him any mercy in that mansion foulR
Save one old beldame weak in body and in soulR
-
Ah happy chance the aged creature cameB2
Shuffling along with ivory headed wandT
To where he stood hid from the torch's flameB2
Behind a broad half pillar far beyondT
The sound of merriment and chorus blandT
He startled her but soon she knew his faceH
And grasp'd his fingers in her palsied handT
Saying Mercy Porphyro hie thee from this placeH
They are all here to night the whole blood thirsty raceH
-
Get hence get hence there's dwarfish HildebrandT
He had a fever late and in the fitT
He cursed thee and thine both house and landT
Then there's that old Lord Maurice not a whitT
More tame for his gray hairs Alas me flitT
Flit like a ghost away Ah Gossip dearZ
We're safe enough here in this arm chair sitT
And tell me how Good Saints not here not hereZ
Follow me child or else these stones will be thy bierZ
-
He follow'd through a lowly arched wayQ
Brushing the cobwebs with his lofty plumeC2
And as she mutter'd Well a well a dayQ
He found him in a little moonlight roomC2
Pale lattic'd chill and silent as a tombC2
Now tell me where is Madeline said heP
O tell me Angela by the holy loomC2
Which none but secret sisterhood may seeP
When they St Agnes' wool are weaving piouslyP
-
St Agnes Ah it is St Agnes' EveL
Yet men will murder upon holy daysH
Thou must hold water in a witch's sieveD2
And be liege lord of all the Elves and FaysH
To venture so it fills me with amazeH
To see thee Porphyro St Agnes' EveL
God's help my lady fair the conjuror playsH
This very night good angels her deceiveL
But let me laugh awhile I've mickle time to grieveL
-
Feebly she laugheth in the languid moonA2
While Porphyro upon her face doth lookE2
Like puzzled urchin on an aged croneA2
Who keepeth clos'd a wond'rous riddle bookE2
As spectacled she sits in chimney nookE2
But soon his eyes grew brilliant when she toldT
His lady's purpose and he scarce could brookE2
Tears at the thought of those enchantments coldT
And Madeline asleep in lap of legends oldT
-
Sudden a thought came like a full blown roseH
Flushing his brow and in his pained heartT
Made purple riot then doth he proposeH
A stratagem that makes the beldame startT
A cruel man and impious thou artT
Sweet lady let her pray and sleep and dreamF2
Alone with her good angels far apartT
From wicked men like thee Go go I deemF2
Thou canst not surely be the same that thou didst seemF2
-
I will not harm her by all saints I swearZ
Quoth Porphyro O may I ne'er find graceH
When my weak voice shall whisper its last prayerZ
If one of her soft ringlets I displaceH
Or look with ruffian passion in her faceH
Good Angela believe me by these tearsH
Or I will even in a moment's spaceH
Awake with horrid shout my foemen's earsH
And beard them though they be more fang'd than wolves and bearsH
-
Ah why wilt thou affright a feeble soulR
A poor weak palsy stricken churchyard thingG2
Whose passing bell may ere the midnight tollR
Whose prayers for thee each morn and eveningG2
Were never miss'd Thus plaining doth she bringG2
A gentler speech from burning PorphyroZ
So woful and of such deep sorrowingG2
That Angela gives promise she will doT
Whatever he shall wish betide her weal or woeH2
-
Which was to lead him in close secrecyH
Even to Madeline's chamber and there hideT
Him in a closet of such privacyH
That he might see her beauty unespy'dT
And win perhaps that night a peerless brideT
While legion'd faeries pac'd the coverletT
And pale enchantment held her sleepy ey'dT
Never on such a night have lovers metT
Since Merlin paid his Demon all the monstrous debtT
-
It shall be as thou wishest said the DameB2
All cates and dainties shall be stored thereZ
Quickly on this feast night by the tambour frameB2
Her own lute thou wilt see no time to spareZ
For I am slow and feeble and scarce dareZ
On such a catering trust my dizzy headT
Wait here my child with patience kneel in prayerZ
The while Ah thou must needs the lady wedT
Or may I never leave my grave among the deadT
-
So saying she hobbled off with busy fearZ
The lover's endless minutes slowly pass'dT
The dame return'd and whisper'd in his earZ
To follow her with aged eyes aghastT
From fright of dim espial Safe at lastT
Through many a dusky gallery they gainA2
The maiden's chamber silken hush'd and chasteT
Where Porphyro took covert pleas'd amainA2
His poor guide hurried back with agues in her brainA2
-
Her falt'ring hand upon the balustradeT
Old Angela was feeling for the stairZ
When Madeline St Agnes' charmed maidT
Rose like a mission'd spirit unawareZ
With silver taper's light and pious careZ
She turn'd and down the aged gossip ledT
To a safe level matting Now prepareZ
Young Porphyro for gazing on that bedT
She comes she comes again like ring dove fray'd and fledT
-
Out went the taper as she hurried inA2
Its little smoke in pallid moonshine diedT
She clos'd the door she panted all akinA2
To spirits of the air and visions wideT
No uttered syllable or woe betideT
But to her heart her heart was volubleR
Paining with eloquence her balmy sideT
As though a tongueless nightingale should swellR
Her throat in vain and die heart stifled in her dellR
-
A casement high and triple arch'd there wasH
All garlanded with carven imag'riesH
Of fruits and flowers and bunches of knot grassH
And diamonded with panes of quaint deviceH
Innumerable of stains and splendid dyesH
As are the tiger moth's deep damask'd wingsH
And in the midst 'mong thousand heraldriesH
And twilight saints and dim emblazoningsH
A shielded scutcheon blush'd with blood of queens and kingsH
-
Full on this casement shone the wintry moonA2
And threw warm gules on Madeline's fair breastT
As down she knelt for heaven's grace and boonA2
Rose bloom fell on her hands together prestT
And on her silver cross soft amethystT
And on her hair a glory like a saintT
She seem'd a splendid angel newly drestT
Save wings for heaven Porphyro grew faintT
She knelt so pure a thing so free from mortal taintT
-
Anon his heart revives her vespers doneA2
Of all its wreathed pearls her hair she freesH
Unclasps her warmed jewels one by oneA2
Loosens her fragrant boddice by degreesH
Her rich attire creeps rustling to her kneesH
Half hidden like a mermaid in sea weedT
Pensive awhile she dreams awake and seesH
In fancy fair St Agnes in her bedT
But dares not look behind or all the charm is fledT
-
Soon trembling in her soft and chilly nestT
In sort of wakeful swoon perplex'd she layQ
Until the poppied warmth of sleep oppress'dT
Her soothed limbs and soul fatigued awayQ
Flown like a thought until the morrow dayQ
Blissfully haven'd both from joy and painA2
Clasp'd like a missal where swart Paynims prayQ
Blinded alike from sunshine and from rainA2
As though a rose should shut and be a bud againA2
-
Stol'n to this paradise and so entrancedT
Porphyro gaz'd upon her empty dressH
And listen'd to her breathing if it chancedT
To wake into a slumberous tendernessH
Which when he heard that minute did he blessH
And breath'd himself then from the closet creptT
Noiseless as fear in a wide wildernessH
And over the hush'd carpet silent steptT
And 'tween the curtains peep'd where lo how fast she sleptT
-
Then by the bed side where the faded moonA2
Made a dim silver twilight soft he setT
A table and half anguish'd threw thereonA2
A cloth of woven crimson gold and jetT
O for some drowsy Morphean amuletT
The boisterous midnight festive clarionA2
The kettle drum and far heard clarinetT
Affray his ears though but in dying toneA2
The hall door shuts again and all the noise is goneA2
-
And still she slept an azure lidded sleepI2
In blanched linen smooth and lavender'dT
While he forth from the closet brought a heapI2
Of candied apple quince and plum and gourdT
With jellies soother than the creamy curdT
And lucent syrops tinct with cinnamonA2
Manna and dates in argosy transferr'dT
From Fez and spiced dainties every oneA2
From silken Samarcand to cedar'd LebanonA2
-
These delicates he heap'd with glowing handT
On golden dishes and in baskets brightT
Of wreathed silver sumptuous they standT
In the retired quiet of the nightT
Filling the chilly room with perfume lightT
And now my love my seraph fair awakeG2
Thou art my heaven and I thine eremiteT
Open thine eyes for meek St Agnes' sakeG2
Or I shall drowse beside thee so my soul doth acheG2
-
Thus whispering his warm unnerved armJ2
Sank in her pillow Shaded was her dreamF2
By the dusk curtains 'twas a midnight charmJ2
Impossible to melt as iced streamF2
The lustrous salvers in the moonlight gleamF2
Broad golden fringe upon the carpet liesH
It seem'd he never never could redeemF2
From such a stedfast spell his lady's eyesH
So mus'd awhile entoil'd in woofed phantasiesH
-
Awakening up he took her hollow luteT
Tumultuous and in chords that tenderest beH
He play'd an ancient ditty long since muteT
In Provence call'd La belle dame sans mercyH
Close to her ear touching the melodyH
Wherewith disturb'd she utter'd a soft moanA2
He ceas'd she panted quick and suddenlyH
Her blue affrayed eyes wide open shoneA2
Upon his knees he sank pale as smooth sculptured stoneA2
-
Her eyes were open but she still beheldH
Now wide awake the vision of her sleepI2
There was a painful change that nigh expell'dH
The blisses of her dream so pure and deepI2
At which fair Madeline began to weepI2
And moan forth witless words with many a sighK2
While still her gaze on Porphyro would keepI2
Who knelt with joined hands and piteous eyeK2
Fearing to move or speak she look'd so dreaminglyH
-
Ah Porphyro said she but even nowA2
Thy voice was at sweet tremble in mine earZ
Made tuneable with every sweetest vowA2
And those sad eyes were spiritual and clearZ
How chang'd thou art how pallid chill and drearZ
Give me that voice again my PorphyroZ
Those looks immortal those complainings dearZ
Oh leave me not in this eternal woeH2
For if thy diest my Love I know not where to goH2
-
Beyond a mortal man impassion'd farZ
At these voluptuous accents he aroseH
Ethereal flush'd and like a throbbing starZ
Seen mid the sapphire heaven's deep reposeH
Into her dream he melted as the roseH
Blendeth its odour with the violetH
Solution sweet meantime the frost wind blowsH
Like Love's alarum pattering the sharp sleetH
Against the window panes St Agnes' moon hath setH
-
'Tis dark quick pattereth the flaw blown sleetH
This is no dream my bride my MadelineA2
'Tis dark the iced gusts still rave and beatH
No dream alas alas and woe is mineA2
Porphyro will leave me here to fade and pineA2
Cruel what traitor could thee hither bringG2
I curse not for my heart is lost in thineA2
Though thou forsakest a deceived thingG2
A dove forlorn and lost with sick unpruned wingG2
-
My Madeline sweet dreamer lovely brideH
Say may I be for aye thy vassal blestH
Thy beauty's shield heart shap'd and vermeil dyedH
Ah silver shrine here will I take my restH
After so many hours of toil and questH
A famish'd pilgrim sav'd by miracleH
Though I have found I will not rob thy nestH
Saving of thy sweet self if thou think'st wellH
To trust fair Madeline to no rude infidelH
-
Hark 'tis an elfin storm from faery landH
Of haggard seeming but a boon indeedH
Arise arise the morning is at handH
The bloated wassaillers will never heedH
Let us away my love with happy speedH
There are no ears to hear or eyes to seeH
Drown'd all in Rhenish and the sleepy meadH
Awake arise my love and fearless beH
For o'er the southern moors I have a home for theeH
-
She hurried at his words beset with fearsH
For there were sleeping dragons all aroundH
At glaring watch perhaps with ready spearsH
Down the wide stairs a darkling way they foundH
In all the house was heard no human soundH
A chain droop'd lamp was flickering by each doorZ
The arras rich with horseman hawk and houndH
Flutter'd in the besieging wind's uproarZ
And the long carpets rose along the gusty floorZ
-
They glide like phantoms into the wide hallH
Like phantoms to the iron porch they glideH
Where lay the Porter in uneasy sprawlH
With a huge empty flaggon by his sideH
The wakeful bloodhound rose and shook his hideH
But his sagacious eye an inmate ownsH
By one and one the bolts full easy slideH
The chains lie silent on the footworn stonesH
The key turns and the door upon its hinges groansH
-
And they are gone aye ages long agoH2
These lovers fled away into the stormL2
That night the Baron dreamt of many a woeH2
And all his warrior guests with shade and formL2
Of witch and demon and large coffin wormM2
Were long be nightmar'd Angela the oldH
Died palsy twitch'd with meagre face deformL2
The Beadsman after thousand aves toldH
For aye unsought for slept among his ashes coldH

John Keats



Rate:
(1)



Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme

Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation


Write your comment about The Eve Of St. Agnes poem by John Keats


 

Recent Interactions*

This poem was read 20 times,

This poem was added to the favorite list by 0 members,

This poem was voted by 0 members.

(* Interactions only in the last 7 days)

New Poems

Popular Poets