The Moated Manse Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCBCBCDD A EFEFEFGG A EHEHEHDD G IJIJIJKK G LMLMLMNO G PQPQPQHH G RSTSRSEE G UEUEUEEE E HVHVHVDD E JWJWJWHH E XYXZXYCC E A2B2A2B2C2D2E2E2 E VF2VF2VF2G2G2 G MH2MH2MH2I2I2 G J2H2J2H2J2H2EE G XK2XK2XK2L2L2 G M2EM2EM2EN2O2 G P2H2P2H2P2H2H2H2 E Q2R2Q2R2Q2R2EE E H2S2H2S2H2S2EE E H2EH2EH2EGG E R2H2R2H2R2H2EE E XH2XH2XH2H2H2 G R2R2R2R2R2R2TR G GH2GH2GH2EE H2 H2EH2EH2H2T2T2 T2 R2HR2HR2HT2T2 T2 R2R2R2R2R2R2R2R2 E HR2HR2HR2R2R2 E R2R2R2R2R2R2HH E T2R2T2R2T2R2H2H2 E U2R2U2R2U2R2R2R2 E H2H2H2H2H2H2R2R2 T2 ER2ER2ER2H2H2 T2 R2V2R2V2R2V2H2H2 T2 HEHEHEH2H2

I	A
	-
And now once more we stood within the walls	B
Of her old manor near the riverside	C
Dead leaves lay rotting in its empty halls	B
And here and there the ivy could not hide	C
The year old scars made by the Royalists' balls	B
Around the doorway where so many died	C
In that last effort to defend the stair	D
When Rupert like a demon entered there	D
	-
	-
II	A
	-
The basest Cavalier who yet wore spurs	E
Or drew a sword I count him with his grave	F
Eyes 'neath his plumed hat like a wolf's whom curs	E
Rouse to their harm within a forest cave	F
And hair like harvest and a voice like verse	E
For smoothness Ay a handsome man and brave	F
Brave who would question it although 't is true	G
He warred with one weak woman and her few	G
	-
	-
III	A
	-
Lady Isolda of the Moated Manse	E
Whom here that very noon it happened me	H
To meet near her old home A single glance	E
Told me 't was she I marveled much to see	H
How lovely still she was as fair perchance	E
As when Red Rupert thrust her brutally	H
Her long hair loosened down the shattered stair	D
And cast her shrieking 'mid his followers there	D
	-
	-
IV	G
	-
She is for you Take her I promised it	I
She is for you he shouted as he flung	J
Her in their midst Then on her poor hands split	I
And beaten by his dagger when she clung	J
Resisting him and knees she crept a bit	I
Nearer his feet and begged for death No tongue	J
Can tell the way he turned from her and cursed	K
Then bade his men draw lots for which were first	K
	-
	-
V	G
	-
I saw it all from that low parapet	L
Where bullet wounded in the hip and head	M
I lay face upward in the whispering wet	L
Exhausted 'mid the dead and left for dead	M
We had held out two days without a let	L
Against these bandits You could trace with red	M
From room to room how we resisted hard	N
Since the great door crashed in to their petard	O
	-
	-
VI	G
	-
The rain revived me and I leaned with pain	P
And saw her lying there all soiled and splashed	Q
And miserable on her cheek a stain	P
A dull red bruise made when his hand had dashed	Q
Her down upon the stones the wretched rain	P
Dripped from her dark hair and her hands were gashed	Q
Oh for a musket or a petronel	H
With which to send his devil's soul to hell	H
	-
	-
VII	G
	-
But helpless there I lay no weapon near	R
Only the useless sword I could not reach	S
His traitor's heart with while I chafed to hear	T
The laugh the insult and the villain speech	S
Of him to her Oh God could I but clear	R
The height between and hanging like a leech	S
My fingers at his throat there tear his base	E
Vile tongue out yea and lash it in his face	E
	-
	-
VIII	G
	-
But badly wounded what could I but weep	U
With rage and pity of my helplessness	E
And her misfortune Could I only creep	U
A little nearer so that she might guess	E
I was not dead that I my life would keep	U
But to avenge her Oh the wild distress	E
Of that last moment when half dead I saw	E
Them mount and bear her swooning through the shaw	E
	-
	-
IX	E
	-
Long time I lay unconscious It befell	H
Some woodsmen found me having heard the sound	V
Of fighting cease that for two days made dell	H
And dingle echo ventured on the ground	V
For plunder and it had not then gone well	H
With me I fear had not their leader found	V
That in some way I would repay his care	D
So bore me to his hut and nursed me there	D
	-
	-
X	E
	-
How roughly kind he was For weeks I hung	J
'Twixt life and death health like a varying sick	W
And fluttering pendulum now this way swung	J
Now that until at last its querulous tick	W
Beat out life's usual time and slowly rung	J
The long loud hours that exclaimed Be quick	W
Arise Go forth Hear how her black wrongs call	H
Make them the salve to cure thy wounds withal	H
	-
	-
XI	E
	-
They were my balsam for ere autumn came	X
Weak still but over eager to be gone	Y
I took my leave of him A little lame	X
From that hip wound and somewhat thin and wan	Z
I sought the village Here I heard her name	X
And shame's made one How Rupert passed one dawn	Y
And she among his troopers rode astride	C
Like any man pale faced and feverish eyed	C
	-
XII	E
	-
Which way these took they pointed and I went	A2
Like fire after Oh the thought was good	B2
That they were on before And much it meant	A2
To know she lived still she whose image stood	B2
Ever before me making turbulent	C2
Each heart beat with her wrongs that were fierce food	D2
Unto my hate that Courage cried Rest not	E2
Think of her there and let thy haste be hot	E2
	-
XIII	E
	-
But months passed by and still I had not found	V
Yet here and there as wearily I sought	F2
I caught some news how he had held his ground	V
Against the Roundhead troops or how he'd fought	F2
Then fled returned and conquered Like a hound	V
Questing a boar I followed but was brought	F2
Never to see my quarry Day by day	G2
It seemed that Satan kept him from my way	G2
	-
	-
XIV	G
	-
A woman rode beside him so they said	M
A fair faced wanton mounted like a man	H2
Isolda my Isolda better dead	M
Yea dead and damned than thus the courtesan	H2
Bold unreluctant of such men A dread	M
That such should be unmanned me Doubt began	H2
To whisper at my heart But I was mad	I2
To insult her with such thoughts whose love I had	I2
	-
	-
XV	G
	-
At last one day I rested in a glade	J2
Near that same woodland which I lay in when	H2
Sore wounded and while sitting in the shade	J2
Of an old beech what did I dream or men	H2
Like Rupert's own ride near me and a maid	J2
Isolda or her spirit Wildly then	H2
I rose and shouting leapt upon my horse	E
Unsheathed my sword and rode across their course	E
	-
	-
XVI	G
	-
Mainly I looked for Rupert and by name	X
Challenged him forth Dog dost thou hide behind	K2
Insulter of women Coward save where shame	X
And rapine call thee God at last is kind	K2
And my sword waits Like an upbeating flame	X
My voice rose to a windy shout and blind	K2
I seemed to sit till with an outstretched hand	L2
Isolda rode before me from that band	L2
	-
	-
XVII	G
	-
Gerald she cried not as a heart surprised	M2
With gladness that the loved deemed dead still lives	E
But like the heart that long hath realized	M2
Only misfortune and to fortune gives	E
No confidence though it be recognized	M2
As good She spoke Lo we are fugitives	E
Rupert is slain And I am going home	N2
Then like a child asked simply Wilt thou come	O2
	-
	-
XVIII	G
	-
Oh I have suffered Gerald oh my God	P2
What shame what vileness Once my soul was clean	H2
Stained and defiled behold it I have trod	P2
Sad ways of hell and horror I have seen	H2
And lived all depths of lust Yet oh my God	P2
Blameless I hold myself of what hath been	H2
Though through it all yea this thou too must know	H2
I loved him my betrayer and thy foe	H2
	-
	-
XIX	E
	-
Sobbing she spoke as if but half awake	Q2
Her eyes far fixed beyond me far beyond	R2
All hope of mine So it was for his sake	Q2
His love that she had suffered blind and fond	R2
For what return And I to nurse a snake	Q2
And never dream its nature would respond	R2
With some such fang of venom 'T was for this	E
That I had ventured all to find her his	E
	-
	-
XX	E
	-
At first half stunned I stood then blood and brain	H2
Like two stern judges who had slept awoke	S2
Rose up and thundered Slay her Every vein	H2
And nerve responded Slay her at a stroke	S2
And I had done it but my heart again	H2
Like a strong captain in a tumult spoke	S2
And the fierce discord fell And quietly	E
I sheathed my sword and said I'll go with thee	E
	-
	-
XXI	E
	-
But this was my reward for all I'd borne	H2
My loyalty and love To see her eyes	E
Hollow from tears for him her pale cheeks worn	H2
With grief for him to know them all for lies	E
Her vows of faith to me to come forlorn	H2
Where I had hoped to come on Paradise	E
On Hell's black gulf and as if not enough	G
Soiled as she was and outcast still to love	G
	-
	-
XXII	E
	-
Then rode one ruffian from the rest clay flecked	R2
From spur to plume with hurry seized my rein	H2
And What art thou demanded who hast checked	R2
Our way and challenged Then with some disdain	H2
Isolda Sir my kinsman did expect	R2
Your captain here What honor may remain	H2
To me I pledge for him Hold off thy hands	E
He but attends me to the Moated Manse	E
	-
	-
XXIII	E
	-
We rode in silence And at twilight came	X
Into the Moated Manse Great clouds had grown	H2
Up in the West on which the sunset's flame	X
Lay like the hand of slaughter Very lone	H2
Its rooms and halls a splintered door that lame	X
Swung on one hinge a cabinet o'erthrown	H2
Or arras torn or blood stain turning wan	H2
Showed us the way the battle once had gone	H2
	-
	-
XXIV	G
	-
We reached the tower chamber towards the West	R2
In which on that dark day she thought to hide	R2
From Rupert when at last 't was manifest	R2
We could not hold the Manse There was no pride	R2
In her deep eyes now nor did scorn invest	R2
Her with such dignity as once defied	R2
Him bursting in to find her standing here	T
Prepared to die like some dog hunted deer	R
	-
	-
XXV	G
	-
She took my hand and as if naught of love	G
Had ever been between us said All know	H2
The madness of that day when with his glove	G
He struck then slew my brother and brought woe	H2
On all our house and thou incensed above	G
The rest came here and made my foe thy foe	H2
But he had left 'T was then I promised thee	E
My hand but ah my heart was gone from me	E
	-
	-
XXVI	H2
	-
Yea he had won me this same Rupert when	H2
He was our guest Thou know'st how gallantry	E
And beauty can make heroes of all men	H2
To us weak women And so secretly	E
I vowed to be his wife It happened then	H2
My brother found him in some villainy	H2
The insult followed he was killed and thou	T2
Dost still remember how I made a vow	T2
	-
	-
XXVII	T2
	-
But still this man pursued me and I held	R2
Firm to my vow albeit I loved him still	H
Unknown to all with all the love unquelled	R2
Of first impressions and against my will	H
At last despair of winning me compelled	R2
Him to the oath he swore He would not kill	H
But take me living and would make my life	T2
A living death No man should make me wife	T2
	-
	-
XXVIII	T2
	-
The war that now consumes us did indeed	R2
Give him occasion I had not been warned	R2
When down he came against me in the lead	R2
Of his marauders With thy help I scorned	R2
His mad attacks two days I would not plead	R2
Nor parley with him who came hoofed and horned	R2
Like Satan's self in soul and with his aid	R2
Took this strong house and kept the oath he made	R2
	-
	-
XXIX	E
	-
Months passed Alas it needs not here to tell	H
What often thou hast heard Of how he led	R2
His troopers here now there nor what befell	H
Me of dishonor Oft I wished me dead	R2
Loathing my life than which the nether hell	H
Hath less of horror So we fought or fled	R2
From place to place until a year had passed	R2
And Parliament forces hemmed us in at last	R2
	-
	-
XXX	E
	-
Yea I had only lived for this to right	R2
With death my wrongs sometime And love and hate	R2
Contended in my bosom when that night	R2
Before the fight that should decide our fate	R2
I entered where he slept There was no light	R2
Save of the stars to see by Long and late	R2
I leaned above him there yet could not kill	H
Hate raised the dagger but love held it still	H
	-
	-
XXXI	E
	-
The woman in me conquered What a slave	T2
To our emotions are we To relent	R2
At this long waited moment Wave on wave	T2
Of pitying weakness swept me and I bent	R2
And kissed his face Then prayed to God and gave	T2
My trust to God and left to God th' event	R2
I never looked on Rupert's face again	H2
For in that morning's combat he was slain	H2
	-
	-
XXXII	E
	-
Out of defeat escaped some scant three score	U2
Of all his followers And night and day	R2
They fled and while the Roundheads pressed them sore	U2
And in their road good as a fortress lay	R2
The Moated Manse where their three score or more	U2
Might well hold out I pointed them the way	R2
And they are come amid its wrecks to end	R2
The crime begun here Thou must go my friend	R2
	-
	-
XXXIII	E
	-
Go quickly For the time approaches when	H2
Destruction must arrive Oh well I know	H2
All thou wouldst say to me What boots it then	H2
I tell thee thou must go that thou must go	H2
Yea dost thou think I'd have thee die 'mid men	H2
Like these for such an one as I No no	H2
Thy life is clean Thou shalt not cast away	R2
Thy clean life for my soiled one Go I pray	R2
	-
	-
XXXIV	T2
	-
She ceased I spoke I know not what it was	E
Then took her hand and kissed it and so said	R2
Thou art my promised wife Thou hast no cause	E
That is not mine I love thee We will wed	R2
I love thee Come A moment did she pause	E
Then shook her head and sighed My heart is dead	R2
This can not be Behold that way is thine	H2
I will not let thee share this way that's mine	H2
	-
	-
XXXV	T2
	-
Then turning from me ere I could prevent	R2
Passed like a shadow from the shadowy room	V2
Leaving my soul in shadow Naught was meant	R2
By my sweet flower of love then bloom by bloom	V2
I'd watched it wither then its fragrance went	R2
And naught was left now It was dark as doom	V2
And bells were tolling far off through the rain	H2
When from that house I turned my face again	H2
	-
	-
XXXVI	T2
	-
Then in the night a trumpet and the dull	H
Close thud of horse and clash of Puritan arms	E
And glimmering helms swept by me Sorrowful	H
I stood and waited till upon the storm's	E
Black breast the Manse a burning carbuncle	H
Blazed like a battle beacon and alarms	E
Of onslaught clanged around it then like one	H2
Who bears with him God's curse I galloped on	H2

Madison Julius Cawein

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