Marsyas Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCBC DEDF GGHHBBIJKIFLKEMMN FFMLOPOPMQMQRBRBNN SSTTPPMUKVVKMUWXWWWW WWWWMMCALLICLES from below | A |
- | |
- | |
As the sky brightening south wind clears the day | B |
And makes the mass'd clouds roll | C |
The music of the lyre blows away | B |
The clouds that wrap the soul | C |
- | |
Oh that Fate had let me see | D |
That triumph of the sweet persuasive lyre | E |
That famous final victory | D |
When jealous Pan with Marsyas did conspire | F |
- | |
When from far Parnassus' side | G |
Young Apollo all the pride | G |
Of the Phrygian flutes to tame | H |
To the Phrygian highlands came | H |
Where the long green reed beds sway | B |
In the rippled waters grey | B |
Of that solitary lake | I |
Where Maeander's springs are born | J |
Where the ridg'd pine wooded roots | K |
Of Messogis westward break | I |
Mounting westward high and higher | F |
There was held the famous strife | L |
There the Phrygian brought his flutes | K |
And Apollo brought his lyre | E |
And when now the westering sun | M |
Touch'd the hills the strife was done | M |
And the attentive Muses said | N |
'Marsyas thou art vanquish d ' | - |
Then Apollo's minister | F |
Hang'd upon a branching fir | F |
Marsyas that unhappy Faun | M |
And began to whet his knife | L |
But the Maenads who were there | O |
Left their friend and with robes flowing | P |
In the wind and loose dark hair | O |
O'er their polish'd bosoms blowing | P |
Each her ribbon'd tambourine | M |
Flinging on the mountain sod | Q |
With a lovely frighten'd mien | M |
Came about the youthful God | Q |
But he turn'd his beauteous face | R |
Haughtily another way | B |
From the grassy sun warm'd place | R |
Where in proud repose he lay | B |
With one arm over his head | N |
Watching how the whetting sped | N |
- | |
But aloof on the lake strand | S |
Did the young Olympus stand | S |
Weeping at his master's end | T |
For the Faun had been his friend | T |
For he taught him how to sing | P |
And he taught him flute playing | P |
Many a morning had they gone | M |
To the glimmering mountain lakes | U |
And had torn up by the roots | K |
The tall crested water reeds | V |
With long plumes and soft brown seeds | V |
And had carved them into flutes | K |
Sitting on a tabled stone | M |
Where the shoreward ripple breaks | U |
And he taught him how to please | W |
The red snooded Phrygian girls | X |
Whom the summer evening sees | W |
Flashing in the dance's whirls | W |
Underneath the starlit trees | W |
In the mountain villages | W |
Therefore now Olympus stands | W |
At his master's piteous cries | W |
Pressing fast with both his hands | W |
His white garment to his eyes | W |
Not to see Apollo's scorn | M |
Ah poor Faun poor Faun ah poor Faun | M |
Matthew Arnold
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