Ode Xiii: On Lyric Poetry Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFFGHHG AIJIJKKLMML ANONOECPQQR ASTSUVVWXYZ AJCJEA2A2B2VVB2 AC2D2C2D2VVKE2E2L AF2BF2DVVUG2G2U AVKVKEEUKKU AH2G2I2G2VVKJ2J2K UVK2VK2UULEEL UH2VI2VMML2EEL2 UB2VB2VDBVWWV

IA
Once more I join the Thespian choirB
And taste the inspiring fount againC
O parent of the Grecian lyreD
Admit me to thy powerful strainE
And lo with ease my step invadesF
The pathless vale and opening shadesF
Till now I spy her verdant seatG
And now at large i drink the soundH
While these her offspring listening roundH
By turns her melody repeatG
-
IA
I see Anacreon smile and singI
His silver tresses breathe perfumeJ
His cheek displays a second springI
Of roses taught by wine to bloomJ
Away deceitful cares awayK
And let me listen to his layK
Let me the wanton pomp injoyL
While in smooth dance the light wing'd HoursM
Lead round his lyre it's patron powersM
Kind laughter and convivial joyL
-
IA
Broke from the fetters of his native landN
Devoting shame and vengeance to her lordsO
With louder impulse and a threatening handN
The Lesbian patriot smites the sounding chordsO
Ye wretches ye perfidious trainE
Ye curs'd of gods and freeborn menC
Ye murderers of the lawsP
Though now ye glory in your lustQ
Though now ye tread the feeble neck in dustQ
Yet Time and righteous Jove will judge your dreadful causeR
-
IIA
But lo to Sappho's melting airsS
Descends the radiant queen of loveT
She smiles and asks what fonder caresS
Her suppliant's plaintive measures moveU
Why is my faithful maid distress'dV
Who Sappho wounds thy tender breastV
Say flies he Soon he shall pursueW
Shuns he thy gifts He soon shall giveX
Slights he thy sorrows He shall grieveY
And soon to all thy wishes bowZ
-
IIA
But o Melpomene for whomJ
Awakes thy golden shell againC
What mortal breath shall e'er presumeJ
To echo that unbounded strainE
Majestic in the frown of yearsA2
Behold the man of Thebes appearsA2
For some there are whose mighty frameB2
The hand of Jove at birth indow'dV
With hopes that mock the gazing crowdV
As eagles drink the noontide flameB2
-
IIA
While the dim raven beats her weary wingsC2
And clamours far below Propitious MuseD2
While I so late unlock thy purer springsC2
And breathe whate'er thy ancient airs infuseD2
Wilt thou for Albion's sons aroundV
Ne'er had'st thou audience more renown'dV
Thy charming arts imployK
As when the winds from shore to shoreE2
Through Greece thy lyre's persuasive language boreE2
Till towns and isles and seas return'd the vocal joyL
-
IIIA
Yet then did pleasure's lawless throngF2
Oft rushing forth in loose attireB
Thy virgin dance thy graceful songF2
Pollute with impious revels direD
O fair o chaste thy echoing shadeV
May no soul discord here invadeV
Nor let thy strings one accent moveU
Except what earth's untroubled earG2
'Mid all her social tribes may hearG2
And heaven's unerring throne approveU
-
IIIA
Queen of the lyre in thy retreatV
The fairest flowers of Pindus glowK
The vine aspires to crown thy seatV
And myrtles round thy laurel growK
Thy strings adapt their varied strainE
To every pleasure every painE
Which mortal tribes were born to proveU
And strait our passions rise or fallK
As at the wind's imperious callK
The ocean swells the billows moveU
-
IIIA
When midnight listens o'er the slumbering earthH2
Let me o Muse thy solemn whispers hearG2
When morning sends her fragrant breezes forthI2
With airy murmurs touch my opening earG2
And ever watchful at thy sideV
Let wisdom's awful suffrage guideV
The tenor of thy layK
To her of old by Jove was givenJ2
To judge the various deeds of earth and heavenJ2
'Twas thine by gentle arts to win us to her swayK
-
IVU
Oft as to well earn'd ease resign'dV
I quit the maze where science toilsK2
Do thou refresh my yielding mindV
With all thy gay delusive spoilsK2
But o indulgent come not nighU
The busy steps the jealous eyeU
Of wealthy care or gainful ageL
Whose barren souls thy joys disdainE
And hold as foes to reason's reignE
Whome'er thy lovely works engageL
-
IVU
When friendship and when letter'd mirthH2
Haply partake my simple boardV
Then let thy blameless hand call forthI2
The music of the Teian chordV
Or if invok'd at softer hoursM
O seek with me the happy bowersM
That hear Olympia's gentle tongueL2
To beauty link'd with virtue's trainE
To love devoid of jealous painE
There let the Sapphic lute be strungL2
-
IVU
But when from envy and from death to claimB2
A hero bleeding for his native landV
When to throw incense on the vestal flameB2
Of liberty my genius gives commandV
Nor Theban voice nor Lesbian lyreD
From thee o Muse do I requireB
While my presaging mindV
Conscious of powers she never knewW
Astonish'd grasps at things beyond her viewW
Nor by another's fate submits to be confin'dV

Mark Akenside



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