To The Citizens[1] Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCCDDDDDDDDEEDDFFGG DDDDDDHIBBBBBDDD| And shall the Patriot who maintain'd your cause | A |
| From future ages only meet applause | B |
| Shall he who timely rose t'his country's aid | C |
| By her own sons her guardians be betray'd | C |
| Did heathen virtues in your hearts reside | D |
| These wretches had been damn'd for parricide | D |
| Should you behold whilst dreadful armies threat | D |
| The sure destruction of an injured state | D |
| Some hero with superior virtue bless'd | D |
| Avert their rage and succour the distress'd | D |
| Inspired with love of glorious liberty | D |
| Do wonders to preserve his country free | D |
| He like the guardian shepherd stands and they | E |
| Like lions spoil'd of their expected prey | E |
| Each urging in his rage the deadly dart | D |
| Resolved to pierce the generous hero's heart | D |
| Struck with the sight your souls would swell with grief | F |
| And dare ten thousand deaths to his relief | F |
| But if the people he preserved should cry | G |
| He went too far and he deserved to die | G |
| Would not your soul such treachery detest | D |
| And indignation boil within your breast | D |
| Would not you wish that wretched state preserved | D |
| To feel the tenfold ruin they deserved | D |
| If then oppression has not quite subdued | D |
| At once your prudence and your gratitude | D |
| If you yourselves conspire not your undoing | H |
| And don't deserve and won't draw down your ruin | I |
| If yet to virtue you have some pretence | B |
| If yet ye are not lost to common sense | B |
| Assist your patriot in your own defence | B |
| That stupid cant he went too far despise | B |
| And know that to be brave is to be wise | B |
| Think how he struggled for your liberty | D |
| And give him freedom whilst yourselves are free | D |
| M B | D |
Jonathan Swift
(1)
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