A Modern Sappho Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB ACAC DEDF AGAG AHAH IGIG JBJB JBJB JKJK AGAG| They are gone all is still Foolish heart dost thou quiver | A |
| Nothing moves on the lawn but the quick lilac shade | B |
| Far up gleams the house and beneath flows the river | A |
| Here lean my head on this cool balustrade | B |
| - | |
| Ere he come ere the boat by the shining branch'd border | A |
| Of dark elms come round dropping down the proud stream | C |
| Let me pause let me strive in myself find some order | A |
| Ere their boat music sound ere their broider'd flags gleam | C |
| - | |
| Is it hope makes me linger the dim thought that sorrow | D |
| Means parting that only in absence lies pain | E |
| It was well with me once if I saw him to morrow | D |
| May bring one of the old happy moments again | F |
| - | |
| Last night we stood earnestly talking together | A |
| She enter'd that moment his eyes turn'd from me | G |
| Fasten'd on her dark hair and her wreath of white heather | A |
| As yesterday was so to morrow will be | G |
| - | |
| Their love let me know must grow strong and yet stronger | A |
| Their passion burn more ere it ceases to burn | H |
| They must love while they must But the hearts that love longer | A |
| Are rare ah most loves but flow once and return | H |
| - | |
| I shall suffer but they will outlive their affection | I |
| I shall weep but their love will be cooling and he | G |
| As he drifts to fatigue discontent and dejection | I |
| Will be brought thou poor heart how much nearer to thee | G |
| - | |
| For cold is his eye to mere beauty who breaking | J |
| The strong band which beauty around him hath furl'd | B |
| Disenchanted by habit and newly awaking | J |
| Looks languidly round on a gloom buried world | B |
| - | |
| Through that gloom he will see but a shadow appearing | J |
| Perceive but a voice as I come to his side | B |
| But deeper their voice grows and nobler their bearing | J |
| Whose youth in the fires of anguish hath died | B |
| - | |
| Then to wait But what notes down the wind hark are driving | J |
| 'Tis he 'Tis the boat shooting round by the trees | K |
| Let my turn if it will come be swift in arriving | J |
| Ah hope cannot long lighten torments like these | K |
| - | |
| Hast thou yet dealt him O Life thy full measure | A |
| World have thy children yet bow'd at his knee | G |
| Hast thou with myrtle leaf crown'd him O Pleasure | A |
| Crown crown him quickly and leave him for me | G |
Matthew Arnold
(1)
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