Atlas; Or, The Minister Of State[1] Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AB CCDDAAAAEEFFCCGGAAHH II| TO THE LORD TREASURER OXFORD | A |
| B | |
| - | |
| - | |
| Atlas we read in ancient song | C |
| Was so exceeding tall and strong | C |
| He bore the skies upon his back | D |
| Just as the pedler does his pack | D |
| But as the pedler overpress'd | A |
| Unloads upon a stall to rest | A |
| Or when he can no longer stand | A |
| Desires a friend to lend a hand | A |
| So Atlas lest the ponderous spheres | E |
| Should sink and fall about his ears | E |
| Got Hercules to bear the pile | F |
| That he might sit and rest awhile | F |
| Yet Hercules was not so strong | C |
| Nor could have borne it half so long | C |
| Great statesmen are in this condition | G |
| And Atlas is a politician | G |
| A premier minister of state | A |
| Alcides one of second rate | A |
| Suppose then Atlas ne'er so wise | H |
| Yet when the weight of kingdoms lies | H |
| Too long upon his single shoulders | I |
| Sink down he must or find upholders | I |
Jonathan Swift
(1)
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