Four Riddles Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCBC DEDE FG G HIHI JKJK LMLN OPOQ RHRH STST GHGH UHVH JGJG GGGG JWJW GXGX A YZYZ A2B2A2B2 C2D2C2D2 D2GD2G E2IE2I GGGG A JF2GF2JJJ GGJGJJJ GF2OF2JJJ B2 JJJJJ JGJJG GGGGG JJJJJ D2GD2D2G JPJJP

IA
-
There was an ancient City stricken downB
With a strange frenzy and for many a dayC
They paced from morn to eve the crowded townB
And danced the night awayC
-
I asked the cause the aged man grew sadD
They pointed to a building gray and tallE
And hoarsely answered Step inside my ladD
And then you'll see it allE
-
-
Yet what are all such gaieties to meF
Whose thoughts are full of indices and surdsG
-
x x xG
-
But something whispered It will soon be doneH
Bands cannot always play nor ladies smileI
Endure with patience the distasteful funH
For just a little whileI
-
A change came o'er my Vision it was nightJ
We clove a pathway through a frantic throngK
The steeds wild plunging filled us with affrightJ
The chariots whirled alongK
-
Within a marble hall a river ranL
A living tide half muslin and half clothM
And here one mourned a broken wreath or fanL
Yet swallowed down her wrathN
-
And here one offered to a thirsty fairO
His words half drowned amid those thunders tunefulP
Some frozen viand there were many thereO
A tooth ache in each spoonfulQ
-
There comes a happy pause for human strengthR
Will not endure to dance without cessationH
And every one must reach the point at lengthR
Of absolute prostrationH
-
At such a moment ladies learn to giveS
To partners who would urge them over muchT
A flat and yet decided negativeS
Photographers love suchT
-
There comes a welcome summons hope revivesG
And fading eyes grow bright and pulses quickenH
Incessant pop the corks and busy knivesG
Dispense the tongue and chickenH
-
Flushed with new life the crowd flows back againU
And all is tangled talk and mazy motionH
Much like a waving field of golden grainV
Or a tempestuous oceanH
-
And thus they give the time that Nature meantJ
For peaceful sleep and meditative snoresG
To ceaseless din and mindless merrimentJ
And waste of shoes and floorsG
-
And One we name him not that flies the flowersG
That dreads the dances and that shuns the saladsG
They doom to pass in solitude the hoursG
Writing acrostic balladsG
-
How late it grows The hour is surely pastJ
That should have warned us with its double knockW
The twilight wanes and morning comes at lastJ
Oh Uncle what's o'clockW
-
The Uncle gravely nods and wisely winksG
It MAY mean much but how is one to knowX
He opens his mouth yet out of it methinksG
No words of wisdom flowX
-
-
IIA
-
Empress of Art for thee I twineY
This wreath with all too slender skillZ
Forgive my Muse each halting lineY
And for the deed accept the willZ
-
-
O day of tears Whence comes this spectre grimA2
Parting like Death's cold river souls that loveB2
Is not he bound to thee as thou to himA2
By vows unwhispered here yet heard aboveB2
-
And still it lives that keen and heavenward flameC2
Lives in his eye and trembles in his toneD2
And these wild words of fury but proclaimC2
A heart that beats for thee for thee aloneD2
-
But all is lost that mighty mind o'erthrownD2
Like sweet bells jangled piteous sight to seeG
Doubt that the stars are fire so runs his moanD2
Doubt Truth herself but not my love for theeG
-
A sadder vision yet thine aged sireE2
Shaming his hoary locks with treacherous wileI
And dost thou now doubt Truth to be a liarE2
And wilt thou die that hast forgot to smileI
-
Nay get thee hence Leave all thy winsome waysG
And the faint fragrance of thy scattered flowersG
In holy silence wait the appointed daysG
And weep away the leaden footed hoursG
-
-
IIIA
-
The air is bright with hues of lightJ
And rich with laughter and with singingF2
Young hearts beat high in ecstasyG
And banners wave and bells are ringingF2
But silence falls with fading dayJ
And there's an end to mirth and playJ
Ah well a dayJ
-
Rest your old bones ye wrinkled cronesG
The kettle sings the firelight dancesG
Deep be it quaffed the magic draughtJ
That fills the soul with golden fanciesG
For Youth and Pleasance will not stayJ
And ye are withered worn and grayJ
Ah well a dayJ
-
O fair cold face O form of graceG
For human passion madly yearningF2
O weary air of dumb despairO
From marble won to marble turningF2
Leave us not thus we fondly prayJ
We cannot let thee pass awayJ
Ah well a dayJ
-
-
IVB2
-
My First is singular at bestJ
More plural is my SecondJ
My Third is far the pluralestJ
So plural plural I protestJ
It scarcely can be reckonedJ
-
My First is followed by a birdJ
My Second by believersG
In magic art my simple ThirdJ
Follows too often hopes absurdJ
And plausible deceiversG
-
My First to get at wisdom triesG
A failure melancholyG
My Second men revered as wiseG
My Third from heights of wisdom fliesG
To depths of frantic follyG
-
My First is ageing day by dayJ
My Second's age is endedJ
My Third enjoys an age they sayJ
That never seems to fade awayJ
Through centuries extendedJ
-
My Whole I need a poet's penD2
To paint her myriad phasesG
The monarch and the slave of menD2
A mountain summit and a denD2
Of dark and deadly mazesG
-
A flashing light a fleeting shadeJ
Beginning end and middleP
Of all that human art hath madeJ
Or wit devised Go seek HER aidJ
If you would read my riddleP

Lewis Carroll



Rate:
(1)



Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme

Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation


Write your comment about Four Riddles poem by Lewis Carroll


 

Recent Interactions*

This poem was read 17 times,

This poem was added to the favorite list by 0 members,

This poem was voted by 0 members.

(* Interactions only in the last 7 days)

New Poems

Popular Poets