Bec's[1] Birth-day; Nov. 8, 1726 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCDEEFFGGHHIIJJKK GGLFLLMMLFNNOOPPQRSS FFKTKKLLLLUUTTVVWWLLThis day dear Bec is thy nativity | A |
Had Fate a luckier one she'd give it ye | A |
She chose a thread of greatest length | B |
And doubly twisted it for strength | B |
Nor will be able with her shears | C |
To cut it off these forty years | D |
Then who says care will kill a cat | E |
Rebecca shows they're out in that | E |
For she though overrun with care | F |
Continues healthy fat and fair | F |
As if the gout should seize the head | G |
Doctors pronounce the patient dead | G |
But if they can by all their arts | H |
Eject it to the extremest parts | H |
They give the sick man joy and praise | I |
The gout that will prolong his days | I |
Rebecca thus I gladly greet | J |
Who drives her cares to hands and feet | J |
For though philosophers maintain | K |
The limbs are guided by the brain | K |
Quite contrary Rebecca's led | G |
Her hands and feet conduct her head | G |
By arbitrary power convey her | L |
She ne'er considers why or where | F |
Her hands may meddle feet may wander | L |
Her head is but a mere by stander | L |
And all her bustling but supplies | M |
The part of wholesome exercise | M |
Thus nature has resolved to pay her | L |
The cat's nine lives and eke the care | F |
Long may she live and help her friends | N |
Whene'er it suits her private ends | N |
Domestic business never mind | O |
Till coffee has her stomach lined | O |
But when her breakfast gives her courage | P |
Then think on Stella's chicken porridge | P |
I mean when Tiger has been served | Q |
Or else poor Stella may be starved | R |
May Bec have many an evening nap | S |
With Tiger slabbering in her lap | S |
But always take a special care | F |
She does not overset the chair | F |
Still be she curious never hearken | K |
To any speech but Tiger's barking | T |
And when she's in another scene | K |
Stella long dead but first the Dean | K |
May fortune and her coffee get her | L |
Companions that will please her better | L |
Whole afternoons will sit beside her | L |
Nor for neglects or blunders chide her | L |
A goodly set as can be found | U |
Of hearty gossips prating round | U |
Fresh from a wedding or a christening | T |
To teach her ears the art of listening | T |
And please her more to hear them tattle | V |
Than the Dean storm or Stella rattle | V |
Late be her death one gentle nod | W |
When Hermes waiting with his rod | W |
Shall to Elysian fields invite her | L |
Where there will be no cares to fright her | L |
Jonathan Swift
(1)
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