Fit The Fifth - The Beavers Lesson Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH IJIJ GKLK MNMN OFOF OFOF AOAO FOFO PFFF GQGQ FFFF OORO OOOO FSFS TOTO UFVF FFPF OPOP WOWX YFYF SZSZ FOFO FFFF OPFP A2B2A2B2 FJFJ

They sought it with thimbles they sought it with careA
They pursued it with forks and hopeB
They threatened its life with a railway shareA
They charmed it with smiles and soapB
-
Then the Butcher contrived an ingenious planC
For making a separate sallyD
And fixed on a spot unfrequented by manC
A dismal and desolate valleyD
-
-
But the very same plan to the Beaver occurredE
It had chosen the very same placeF
Yet neither betrayed by a sign or a wordE
The disgust that appeared in his faceF
-
Each thought he was thinking of nothing but SnarkG
And the glorious work of the dayH
And each tried to pretend that he did not remarkG
That the other was going that wayH
-
But the valley grew narrow and narrower stillI
And the evening got darker and colderJ
Till merely from nervousness not from goodwillI
They marched along shoulder to shoulderJ
-
Then a scream shrill and high rent the shuddering skyG
And they knew that some danger was nearK
The Beaver turned pale to the tip of its tailL
And even the Butcher felt queerK
-
He thought of his childhood left far far behindM
That blissful and innocent stateN
The sound so exactly recalled to his mindM
A pencil that squeaks on a slateN
-
-
'Tis the voice of the Jubjub he suddenly criedO
This man that they used to call DunceF
As the Bellman would tell you he added with prideO
I have uttered that sentiment onceF
-
'Tis the note of the Jubjub Keep count I entreatO
You will find I have told it you twiceF
'Tis the song of the Jubjub The proof is completeO
If only I've stated it thriceF
-
The Beaver had counted with scrupulous careA
Attending to every wordO
But it fairly lost heart and outgrabe in despairA
When the third repetition occurredO
-
It felt that in spite of all possible painsF
It had somehow contrived to lose countO
And the only thing now was to rack its poor brainsF
By reckoning up the amountO
-
Two added to one if that could but be doneP
It said with one's fingers and thumbsF
Recollecting with tears how in earlier yearsF
It had taken no pains with its sumsF
-
The thing can be done said the Butcher I thinkG
The thing must be done I am sureQ
The thing shall be done Bring me paper and inkG
The best there is time to procureQ
-
The Beaver brought paper portfolio pensF
And ink in unfailing suppliesF
While strange creepy creatures came out of their densF
And watched them with wondering eyesF
-
So engrossed was the Butcher he heeded them notO
As he wrote with a pen in each handO
And explained all the while in a popular styleR
Which the Beaver could well understandO
-
Taking Three as the subject to reason aboutO
A convenient number to stateO
We add Seven and Ten and then multiply outO
By One Thousand diminished by EightO
-
-
The result we proceed to divide as you seeF
By Nine Hundred and Ninety TwoS
Then subtract Seventeen and the answer must beF
Exactly and perfectly trueS
-
The method employed I would gladly explainT
While I have it so clear in my headO
If I had but the time and you had but the brainT
But much yet remains to be saidO
-
In one moment I've seen what has hitherto beenU
Enveloped in absolute mysteryF
And without extra charge I will give you at largeV
A Lesson in Natural HistoryF
-
In his genial way he proceeded to sayF
Forgetting all laws of proprietyF
And that giving instruction without introductionP
Would have caused quite a thrill in SocietyF
-
As to temper the Jubjub's a desperate birdO
Since it lives in perpetual passionP
Its taste in costume is entirely absurdO
It is ages ahead of the fashionP
-
But it knows any friend it has met once beforeW
It never will look at a brideO
And in charity meetings it stands at the doorW
And collects though it does not subscribeX
-
Its flavor when cooked is more exquisite farY
Than mutton or oysters or eggsF
Some think it keeps best in an ivory jarY
And some in mahogany kegsF
-
You boil it in sawdust you salt it in glueS
You condense it with locusts and tapeZ
Still keeping one principal object in viewS
To preserve its symmetrical shapeZ
-
The Butcher would gladly have talked till next dayF
But he felt that the lesson must endO
And he wept with delight in attempting to sayF
He considered the Beaver his friendO
-
While the Beaver confessed with affectionate looksF
More eloquent even than tearsF
It had learned in ten minutes far more than all booksF
Would have taught it in seventy yearsF
-
They returned hand in hand and the Bellman unmannedO
For a moment with noble emotionP
Said This amply repays all the wearisome daysF
We have spent on the billowy oceanP
-
Such friends as the Beaver and Butcher becameA2
Have seldom if ever been knownB2
In winter or summer 'twas always the sameA2
You could never meet either aloneB2
-
And when quarrels arose as one frequently findsF
Quarrels will spite of every endeavorJ
The song of the Jubjub recurred to their mindsF
And cemented their friendship for everJ

Lewis Carroll



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