On A Shadow In A Glass Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEEFGGHHIIFFIIJJF KLLMMNN OOPPQQRRRRRSRRTTIIUU IIBy something form'd I nothing am | A |
Yet everything that you can name | B |
In no place have I ever been | C |
Yet everywhere I may be seen | D |
In all things false yet always true | E |
I'm still the same but ever new | E |
Lifeless life's perfect form I wear | F |
Can show a nose eye tongue or ear | G |
Yet neither smell see taste or hear | G |
All shapes and features I can boast | H |
No flesh no bones no blood no ghost | H |
All colours without paint put on | I |
And change like the cameleon | I |
Swiftly I come and enter there | F |
Where not a chink lets in the air | F |
Like thought I'm in a moment gone | I |
Nor can I ever be alone | I |
All things on earth I imitate | J |
Faster than nature can create | J |
Sometimes imperial robes I wear | F |
Anon in beggar's rags appear | K |
A giant now and straight an elf | L |
I'm every one but ne'er myself | L |
Ne'er sad I mourn ne'er glad rejoice | M |
I move my lips but want a voice | M |
I ne'er was born nor e'er can die | N |
Then pr'ythee tell me what am I | N |
- | |
- | |
Most things by me do rise and fall | O |
And as I please they're great and small | O |
Invading foes without resistance | P |
With ease I make to keep their distance | P |
Again as I'm disposed the foe | Q |
Will come though not a foot they go | Q |
Both mountains woods and hills and rocks | R |
And gamesome goats and fleecy flocks | R |
And lowing herds and piping swains | R |
Come dancing to me o'er the plains | R |
The greatest whale that swims the sea | R |
Does instantly my power obey | S |
In vain from me the sailor flies | R |
The quickest ship I can surprise | R |
And turn it as I have a mind | T |
And move it against tide and wind | T |
Nay bring me here the tallest man | I |
I'll squeeze him to a little span | I |
Or bring a tender child and pliant | U |
You'll see me stretch him to a giant | U |
Nor shall they in the least complain | I |
Because my magic gives no pain | I |
Jonathan Swift
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