The Second Best Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AAAB CCCB CCCB DDDB EEEB FF B| Moderate tasks and moderate leisure | A |
| Quiet living strict kept measure | A |
| Both in suffering and in pleasure | A |
| 'Tis for this thy nature yearns | B |
| - | |
| But so many books thou readest | C |
| But so many schemes thou breedest | C |
| But so many wishes feedest | C |
| That thy poor head almost turns | B |
| - | |
| And the world's so madly jangled | C |
| Human things so fast entangled | C |
| Nature's wish must now be strangled | C |
| For that best which she discerns | B |
| - | |
| So it must be yet while leading | D |
| A strain'd life while overfeeding | D |
| Like the rest his wit with reading | D |
| No small profit that man earns | B |
| - | |
| Who through all he meets can steer him | E |
| Can reject what cannot clear him | E |
| Cling to what can truly cheer him | E |
| Who each day more surely learns | B |
| - | |
| That an impulse from the distance | F |
| Of his deepest best existence | F |
| To the words 'Hope Light Persistence ' | - |
| Strongly stirs and truly burns | B |
Matthew Arnold
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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About The Second Best
The Second Best is a poem by Matthew Arnold. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
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