To The Dean Of St. Patrick's In Answer To His Left-handed Letter Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDEFFGAHHAAIIJJ K L MMNNOPQQRRFFSSTUVVWW A AAK| Since your poetic prancer is turn'd into Cancer | A |
| I'll tell you at once sir I'm now not your man sir | A |
| For pray sir what pleasure in fighting is found | B |
| With a coward who studies to traverse his ground | B |
| When I drew forth my pen with your pen you ran back | C |
| But I found out the way to your den by its track | C |
| From thence the black monster I drew o' my conscience | D |
| And so brought to light what before was stark nonsense | E |
| When I with my right hand did stoutly pursue | F |
| You turn'd to your left and you writ like a Jew | F |
| Which good Mister Dean I can't think so fair | G |
| Therefore turn about to the right as you were | A |
| Then if with true courage your ground you maintain | H |
| My fame is immortal when Jonathan's slain | H |
| Who's greater by far than great Alexander | A |
| As much as a teal surpasses a gander | A |
| As much as a game cock's excell'd by a sparrow | I |
| As much as a coach is below a wheelbarrow | I |
| As much and much more as the most handsome man | J |
| Of all the whole world is exceeded by Dan | J |
| T SHERIDAN | K |
| - | |
| This was written with that hand which in others is commonly called the left hand | L |
| - | |
| Oft have I been by poets told | M |
| That poor Jonathan thou grow'st old | M |
| Alas thy numbers failing all | N |
| Poor Jonathan how they do fall | N |
| Thy rhymes which whilom made thy pride swell | O |
| Now jingle like a rusty bridle | P |
| Thy verse which ran both smooth and sweet | Q |
| Now limp upon their gouty feet | Q |
| Thy thoughts which were the true sublime | R |
| Are humbled by the tyrant Time | R |
| Alas what cannot Time subdue | F |
| Time has reduced my wine and you | F |
| Emptied my casks and clipp'd your wings | S |
| Disabled both in our main springs | S |
| So that of late we two are grown | T |
| The jest and scorn of all the town | U |
| But yet if my advice be ta'en | V |
| We two may be as great again | V |
| I'll send you wings you send me wine | W |
| Then you will fly and I shall shine | W |
| - | |
| This was written with my right hand at the same time with the other | A |
| - | |
| How does Melpy like this I think I have vex'd her | A |
| Little did she know I was ambidexter | A |
| T SHERIDAN | K |
Jonathan Swift
(1)
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