The Poor Singing Dame Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCBCDCD CECEFGFG HCACCICJ BKCLCICI BBABIAIM BBIBCNCN BNCNCKCL CMBMCOCO| Beneath an old wall that went round an old Castle | A |
| For many a year with brown ivy o'erspread | B |
| A neat little Hovel its lowly roof raising | C |
| Defied the wild winds that howl'd over its shed | B |
| The turrets that frown'd on the poor simple dwelling | C |
| Were rock'd to and fro when the Tempest would roar | D |
| And the river that down the rich valley was swelling | C |
| Flow'd swiftly beside the green step of its door | D |
| - | |
| The Summer Sun gilded the rushy roof slanting | C |
| The bright dews bespangled its ivy bound hedge | E |
| And above on the ramparts the sweet Birds were chanting | C |
| And wild buds thick dappled the clear river's edge | E |
| When the Castle's rich chambers were haunted and dreary | F |
| The poor little Hovel was still and secure | G |
| And no robber e'er enter'd or goblin or fairy | F |
| For the splendours of pride had no charms to allure | G |
| - | |
| The Lord of the Castle a proud surly ruler | H |
| Oft heard the low dwelling with sweet music ring | C |
| For the old Dame that liv'd in the little Hut chearly | A |
| Would sit at her wheel and would merrily sing | C |
| When with revels the Castle's great Hall was resounding | C |
| The Old Dame was sleeping not dreaming of fear | I |
| And when over the mountains the Huntsmen were bounding | C |
| She would open her wicket their clamours to hear | J |
| - | |
| To the merry ton'd horn she would dance on the threshold | B |
| And louder and louder repeat her old Song | K |
| And when Winter its mantle of Frost was displaying | C |
| She caroll'd undaunted the bare woods among | L |
| She would gather dry Fern ever happy and singing | C |
| With her cake of brown bread and her jug of brown beer | I |
| And would smile when she heard the great Castle bell ringing | C |
| Inviting the Proud to their prodigal chear | I |
| - | |
| Thus she liv'd ever patient and ever contented | B |
| Till Envy the Lord of the Castle possess'd | B |
| For he hated that Poverty should be so chearful | A |
| While care could the fav'rites of Fortune molest | B |
| He sent his bold yeomen with threats to prevent her | I |
| And still would she carol her sweet roundelay | A |
| At last an old Steward relentless he sent her | I |
| Who bore her all trembling to Prison away | M |
| - | |
| Three weeks did she languish then died broken hearted | B |
| Poor Dame how the death bell did mournfully sound | B |
| And along the green path six young Bachelors bore her | I |
| And laid her for ever beneath the cold ground | B |
| And the primroses pale 'mid the long grass were growing | C |
| The bright dews of twilight bespangled her grave | N |
| And morn heard the breezes of summer soft blowing | C |
| To bid the fresh flow'rets in sympathy wave | N |
| - | |
| The Lord of the Castle from that fatal moment | B |
| When poor Singing MARY was laid in her grave | N |
| Each night was surrounded by Screech owls appalling | C |
| Which o'er the black turrets their pinions would wave | N |
| On the ramparts that frown'd on the river swift flowing | C |
| They hover'd still hooting a terrible song | K |
| When his windows would rattle the Winter blast blowing | C |
| They would shriek like a ghost the dark alleys among | L |
| - | |
| Wherever he wander'd they followed him crying | C |
| At dawnlight at Eve still they haunted his way | M |
| When the Moon shone across the wide common they hooted | B |
| Nor quitted his path till the blazing of day | M |
| His bones began wasting his flesh was decaying | C |
| And he hung his proud head and he perish'd with shame | O |
| And the tomb of rich marble no soft tear displaying | C |
| O'ershadows the grave of THE POOR SINGING DAME | O |
Mary Darby Robinson
(1)
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About The Poor Singing Dame
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