Content, To My Dearest Lucasia Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCC DDEFGG HHIIJJ KKLLMM NOPPQQ RSTTUV WWXXYY ZZA2A2DD ZZB2B2C2C2 ZZIIGG D2PE2E2F2G2 ZZZZH2H2| Content the false World's best disguise | A |
| The search and faction of the Wise | A |
| Is so abstruse and hid in night | B |
| That like that Fairy Red cross Knight | B |
| Who trech'rous Falshood for clear Truth had got | C |
| Men think they have it when they have it not | C |
| - | |
| For Courts Content would gladly own | D |
| But she ne're dwelt about a Throne | D |
| And to be flatter'd rich and great | E |
| Are things which do Mens senses cheat | F |
| But grave Experience long since this did see | G |
| Ambition and Content would ne're agree | G |
| - | |
| Some vainer would Content expect | H |
| From what their bright Out sides reflect | H |
| But sure Content is more Divine | I |
| Then to be digg'd from Rock or Mine | I |
| And they that know her beauties will confess | J |
| She needs no lustre from a glittering dress | J |
| - | |
| In Mirth some place her but she scorns | K |
| Th'assistance of such crackling thorns | K |
| Nor owes her self to such thin sport | L |
| That is so sharp and yet so short | L |
| And Painters tell us they the same strokes place | M |
| To make a laughing and a weeping face | M |
| - | |
| Others there are that place Content | N |
| In Liberty from Government | O |
| But who his Passions do deprave | P |
| Though free from shackles is a slave | P |
| Content and Bondage differ onely then | Q |
| When we are chain'd by Vices not by Men | Q |
| - | |
| Some think the Camp Content does know | R |
| And that she fits o'th' Victor's brow | S |
| But in his Laurel there is seen | T |
| Often a Cypress bow between | T |
| Nor will Content herself in that place give | U |
| Where Noise and Tumult and Destruction live | V |
| - | |
| But yet the most Discreet believe | W |
| The Schools this Jewel do receive | W |
| And thus far's true without dispute | X |
| Knowledge is still the sweetest fruit | X |
| But whil'st men seek for Truth they lose their Peace | Y |
| And who heaps Knowledge Sorrow doth increase | Y |
| - | |
| But now some sullen Hermite smiles | Z |
| And thinks he all the World beguiles | Z |
| And that his Cell and Dish contain | A2 |
| What all mankind wish for in vain | A2 |
| But yet his Pleasure's follow'd with a Groan | D |
| For man was never born to be alone | D |
| - | |
| Content her self best comprehends | Z |
| Betwixt two souls and they two friends | Z |
| Whose either joyes in both are fixed | B2 |
| And multiply'd by being mixed | B2 |
| Whose minds and interests are still the same | C2 |
| Their Griefs when once imparted lose their name | C2 |
| - | |
| These far remov'd from all bold noise | Z |
| And what is worse all hollow joyes | Z |
| Who never had a mean design | I |
| Whose flame is serious and divine | I |
| And calm and even must contented be | G |
| For they've both Union and Society | G |
| - | |
| Then my Lucasia we have | D2 |
| Whatever Love can give or crave | P |
| With scorn or pity can survey | E2 |
| The Trifles which the most betray | E2 |
| With innocence and perfect friendship fired | F2 |
| By Vertue joyn'd and by our Choice retired | G2 |
| - | |
| Whose Mirrours are the crystal Brooks | Z |
| Or else each others Hearts and Looks | Z |
| Who cannot wish for other things | Z |
| Then Privacy and Friendship brings | Z |
| Whose thoughts and persons chang'd and mixt are one | H2 |
| Enjoy Content or else the World hath none | H2 |
Katherine Philips
(1)
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