Dunbar Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHGGII JJKLAAMMIINNOOOOPPQQ RRSSFFAATTOOUUPPVVOO WWXXTTYYZZA2A2OOB2B2 OOOMC2C2D2D2E2E2F2F2 XXWWG2G2B2B2H2H2XXAI 2F2J2H2H2FFK2JKK2OOL 2L2C2M2M2IIC2

Up to Dunbar our Cromwell wentA
Not to invade was his intentA
But they who first King Charles soldB
Now turn their backs on friends of oldB
And principles they then held dearC
Were sacrificed for self I fearC
Another Stuart they receiveD
Who knew too well how to deceiveD
The most perfidious of his raceE
Corrupt in life and void of graceE
The menial of the PapacyF
And yet content by oath to freeF
Himself from Holy See's controlG
And covenant to save his soulG
By the Scotch Presbyterian modeH
As to the crown this paved the roadH
But Cromwell brooked not this controlG
He wished man free to save his soulG
As conscience may to him dictateI
Without subservience to the StateI
He saw also thro' the disguiseJ
Of one well versed in fraud and liesJ
And saw how England's libertiesK
Were threatened by this scheme of hisL
So up to Dunbar Cromwell wentA
To break this compact his intentA
Conserve the rights of Britons trueM
To worship God in desk and pewM
As conscience may to them dictateI
Without control of king or stateI
Or Papal bull or legate's rodN
Only accountable to GodN
On Sunday night he reached DunbarO
From darkened sky gleamed not a starO
The way he travelled o'er was drearO
Made doubly so by Scotchmen's fearO
At his approach like sheep they fledP
Made frantic by an awful dreadP
Of red hot irons spear and swordQ
Of breasts thrust thro' and bodies goredQ
Which they were told would be their lotR
When Cromwell came So from each cotR
They bore away what pleased them bestS
And to the flames consigned the restS
But now Dunbar is reached yet heF
Finds himself in extremityF
Midst swamps and bogs unfit to tentA
By Lammermoor from hillside rentA
Leslie in front defiant standsT
A noble army he commandsT
Of thousands two score seven or moreO
Ready on Cromwell shot to pourO
Behind the sea cut off retreatU
With such great odds can he competeU
The mountain sheep may safely treadP
The Lammermoor but men may dreadP
To cross this heath at any timeV
Much more now midst the rain and slimeV
Will Cromwell with the smaller scoreO
Dare to cross o'er to Dunbar shoreO
Tho' shipped were half his guns and menW
The foe falls ere he turn againW
With foresight keen like one inspiredX
He saw the end ere Leslie firedX
THE LORD said he as rapt he standsT
HATH GIVEN THEM INTO OUR HANDST
'Tis the ninth month and second dayY
A wild wet night historians sayY
Quit you like men and bravely standZ
Death's wrestle now is close at handZ
Heed not the hoarse sea's doleful moanA2
As on the cliffs its waves are thrownA2
Think not of life nor kindred dearO
Who goes to war should nothing fearO
But God whose eye lids never sleepB2
His Israel He will safely keepB2
Oh pray but keep your powder dryO
Your part do then on God relyO
Stand to your arms the whole night thro'O
Or lie awake with arms in viewM
And you ye Scots your lights blow outC2
But stay not in your strong redoubtC2
'Midst shocks of corn your shelter seekD2
And rest in sleep your foe is weakD2
Yet ere another night comes 'roundE2
In deeper slumber shall be foundE2
Full many of your stalwart hostF2
And stilled for aye their every boastF2
In Cromwell's camp all night was heardX
The voice of prayer in tones which stirredX
The tender hearts of Ironside menW
As never can be told by penW
Ere shone the first faint streak of mornG2
The Scots beneath the shocks of cornG2
Stretched out full length in quiet sleepB2
Hear a loud blast and upward leapB2
To seize their arms and face the foeH2
Too late the warning or too slowH2
Their movements when the trump was heardX
Yet rang along the lines the wordX
Of battle cry by Leslie sentA
The Covenant The CovenantI2
While high and strong was Cromwell's boastF2
The Lord of Hosts The Lord of HostsJ2
With master skill he struck the blowH2
And when shone out the crimson glowH2
Of morning sun upon the seaF
Brave Leslie's men began to fleeF
They run Oh I protest they runK2
Let God arise Let God ariseJ
And scattered be His enemiesK
Loud Cromwell cried The work was doneK2
Then rose from England's host a cryO
Which rent the very heavens on highO
Now halt they on the battle fieldL2
And to the Lord their homage yieldL2
And sing this song with hearts devoutC2
O praise the Lord ye nations allM2
Laud Him all peoples on this ballM2
His mercy toward us e'er is greatI
His truth and grace for sinners waitI
Let all the people shoutC2

Joseph Horatio Chant



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