The Dove Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABACDEDFGHIJKLMNOPOP QRQR STUTVWVXYZDZWA2WB2C2 ZJZZD2ZD2E2F2G2F2 H2I2H2I2J2ZB2ZDB2DJ2 A2K2A2L2QM2QVN2TN2TJ 2O2B2O2 RP2RP2ZDZDO2Q2O2Q2ZZ ZZZZZZWJR2HO2O2O2O2 ZO2ZO2O2M2O2M2O2DO2D S2DFD

In Virgil's Sacred Verse we findA
That Passion can depress or raiseB
The Heav'nly as the Human MindA
Who dare deny what Virgil saysC
But if They shou'd what our Great MasterD
Has thus laid down my Tale shall proveE
Fair Venus wept the sad DisasterD
Of having lost her Fav'rite DoveF
In Complaisance poor Cupid mourn'dG
His Grief reliev'd his Mother's PainH
He vow'd he'd leave no Stone unturn'dI
But She shou'd have her Dove againJ
Tho' None said He shall yet be nam'dK
I know the Felon well enoughL
But be She not Mamma condemn'dM
Without a fair and legal ProofN
With that his longest Dart he tookO
As Constable wou'd take his StaffP
That Gods desire like Men to lookO
Wou'd make ev'n Heraclitus laughP
Loves Subaltern a Duteous BandQ
Like Watchmen round their Chief appearR
Each had his Lanthorn in his HandQ
And Venus mask'd brought up the RearR
-
Accouter'd thus their eager StepS
To Cloe's Lodging They directedT
At once I write alas and weepU
That Cloe is of Theft suspectedT
Late They set out had far to goV
St Dunstan's as They pass'd struck OneW
Cloe for Reasons good You knowV
Lives at the sober End o'th' TownX
With one great Peal They rap the DoorY
Like Footmen on a Visiting DayZ
Folks at Her House at such an HourD
Lord what will all the Neighbours sayZ
The Door is open'd up They runW
Nor Prayers nor Threats divert their SpeedA2
Thieves Thieves cries Susan We're undoneW
They'll kill my Mistress in her BedB2
In Bed indeed the Nymph had beenC2
Three Hours for all Historians sayZ
She commonly went up at TenJ
Unless Picquet was in the WayZ
She wak'd be sure with strange SurprizeZ
O Cupid is this Right or LawD2
Thus to disturb the brightest EyesZ
That ever slept or ever sawD2
Have You observ'd a sitting HareE2
List'ning and fearful of the StormF2
Of Horns and Hounds clap back her EarG2
Afraid to keep or leave her FormF2
-
Or have You mark'd a Partridge quakeH2
Viewing the tow'ring Faulcon nighI2
She cuddles low behind the BrakeH2
Nor wou'd she stay nor dares she flyI2
Then have You seen the Beauteous MaidJ2
When gazing on her Midnight FoesZ
She turn'd each Way her frighted HeadB2
Then sunk it deap beneath the CloathsZ
Venus this while was in the ChamberD
Incognito for Susan saidB2
It smelt so strong of Myrrh and AmberD
And Susan is no lying MaidJ2
But since We have no present NeedA2
Of Venus for an EpisodeK2
With Cupid let us e'en proceedA2
And thus to Cloe spoke the GodL2
Hold up your Head hold up your HandQ
Wou'd it were not my Lot to show yeM2
This cruel Writ wherein you standQ
Indicted by the Name of CloeV
For that by secret Malice stirr'dN2
Or by an emulous Pride invitedT
You have purloin'd the fav'rite BirdN2
In which my Mother most delightedT
Her blushing Face the lovely MaidJ2
Rais'd just above the milk white SheetO2
A Rose Tree in a Lilly BedB2
Nor glows so red nor breathes so sweetO2
-
Are You not He whom Virgins fearR
And Widows court Is not your NameP2
Cupid If so pray come not nearR
Fair Maiden I'm the very sameP2
Then what have I good Sir to sayZ
Or do with Her You call your MotherD
If I shou'd meet Her in my WayZ
We hardly court'sy to each otherD
Diana Chaste and Hebe SweetO2
Witness that what I speak is trueQ2
I wou'd not give my ParoquetO2
For all the Doves that ever flewQ2
Yet to compose this Midnight NoiseZ
Go freely search where e'er you pleaseZ
The Rage that rais'd adorn'd Her VoiceZ
Upon yon' Toilet lie my KeysZ
Her Keys He takes her Doors unlocksZ
Thro' Wardrobe and thro' Closet bouncesZ
Peeps into ev'ry Chest and BoxZ
Turns all her Furbeloes and FlouncesZ
But Dove depend on't finds He noneW
So to the Bed returns againJ
And now the Maiden bolder grownR2
Begins to treat Him with DisdainH
I marvel much She smiling saidO2
Your Poultry cannot yet be foundO2
Lies he in yonder Slipper deadO2
Or may be in the Tea pot drown'dO2
-
No Traytor angry Love repliesZ
He's hid somewhere about Your BreastO2
A Place nor God nor Man deniesZ
For Venus' Dove the proper NestO2
Search then She said put in your HandO2
And Cynthia dear Protectress guard MeM2
As guilty I or free may standO2
Do Thou or punish or reward MeM2
But ah what Maid to Love can trustO2
He scorns and breaks all Legal PowerD
Into her Breast his Hand He thrustO2
And in a Moment forc'd it lowerD
O whither do those Fingers roveS2
Cries Cloe treacherous Urchin whitherD
O Venus I shall find thy DoveF
Says He for sure I touch his FeatherD

Matthew Prior



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