The Sick Lion And The Ass Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJ KKLMNNMMMOOPP Q MMRR| A lion sunk by time's decay | A |
| Too feeble grown to hunt his prey | A |
| Observed his fatal hour draw nigh | B |
| He drooped and laid him down to die | B |
| There came by chance a savage boar | C |
| Who trembled oft to hear him roar | C |
| But when he saw him thus distressed | D |
| He tore and gored his royal breast | D |
| A bull came next ungen'rous foe | E |
| Rejoiced to find him fall'n so low | E |
| And with his horny armed head | F |
| He aimed at once to strike him dead | F |
| He strikes he wounds he shocks in vain | G |
| The lion still conceals his pain | G |
| At length a base inglorious ass | H |
| Who saw so many insults pass | H |
| Came up and kicked him in the side | I |
| 'Twas this that raised the lion's pride | I |
| He roused and thus he spoke at length | J |
| For indignation gave him strength | J |
| Thou sorry stupid sluggish creature | K |
| Disgrace and shame and scorn of nature | K |
| You saw how well I could dispense | L |
| With blows from beasts of consequence | M |
| They dignified the wounds they gave | N |
| For none complain who feel the brave | N |
| But you the lowest of all brutes | M |
| How ill your face with courage suits | M |
| What dullness in thy looks appears | M |
| I'd rather far by heav'n 'tis true | O |
| Expire by these than live by you | O |
| A kick from thee is double death | P |
| I curse thee with my dying breath | P |
| - | |
| The Moral | Q |
| - | |
| Rebukes are easy from our betters | M |
| From men of quality and letters | M |
| But when low dunces will affront | R |
| What man alive can stand the brunt | R |
Jonathan Swift
(1)
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