The Sewing-girl. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDEDFFGG HIHIJKJKLMLMGG NONOMNMNAPAPQQRGG STSTUVWUWVGG| I asked to see the dead man's face | A |
| As I gave the servant my well filled basket | B |
| And she deigned to lead me a wondrous grace | A |
| Where he lay asleep in his rosewood casket | B |
| I was only the sewing girl and he the heir to this princely palace | C |
| Flowers white flowers everywhere | D |
| In odorous cross and anchor and chalice | E |
| The smallest leaf might touch his hair | D |
| But I my God I must stand apart | F |
| With my hands pressed silently on my heart | F |
| I must not touch the least brown curl | G |
| For I was only the sewing girl | G |
| - | |
| If his stately mother knew what I know | H |
| As she weeping stood by his side this morning | I |
| Would she clasp me in motherly love and woe | H |
| Or drive me out in the cold with scorning | I |
| If she knew that I loved him better than life | J |
| Better than death since for him I gave | K |
| My hopes of rest that I faced life's strife | J |
| And renounced the quiet and restful grave | K |
| When his strong true hand drew me back that day | L |
| When woe and want and the want of pity | M |
| Drove me down where the cold waves lay | L |
| Like wolves round the walls of this cruel city | M |
| Not much would she say with her proud lip's curl | G |
| Only the life of a sewing girl | G |
| - | |
| Now love for me in his heart did linger | N |
| I saw the lady his promised bride | O |
| I saw his ring on her slender finger | N |
| As she weeping stood by his mother's side | O |
| That same ring shone as he lifted me | M |
| Dripping and cold from the sea waves bitter | N |
| I had thought Heaven's light I next should see | M |
| But earth's sun shone in its ruby glitter | N |
| I had thought when I looked in the Lord's mild face | A |
| That He would forgive my rashness and sin | P |
| When He knew there was not a single place | A |
| Not a place so small that I could creep in | P |
| And I wanted a home and I longed for love | Q |
| And God and mother were both above | Q |
| But he showed me my sin and taught me to live | R |
| Above this life of tumult and whirl | G |
| Though I was only a sewing girl | G |
| - | |
| What shall I do with the life he won | S |
| From death that day in a hard won battle | T |
| Shall I lay it down e'er the rising sun | S |
| Looks down on the city's roar and rattle | T |
| Shall I lay it down e'er the midnight dim | U |
| With horrible shadows is roofed and paved | V |
| No I will make it so pure and sweet | W |
| That angels shall say with smiles to him | U |
| When we meet above on the golden street | W |
| Behold the soul of her you saved | V |
| Maybe it shall add to his crown one pearl | G |
| Though only the soul of a sewing girl | G |
Marietta Holley
(1)
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About The Sewing-girl.
The Sewing-girl. is a poem by Marietta Holley. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
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