The Angel-thief Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CCCC CDCD EFEF EGEG HCHC

TIME is a thief who leaves his tools behind himA
He comes by night he vanishes at dawnB
We track his footsteps but we never find himA
Strong locks are broken massive bolts are drawnB
-
And all around are left the bars and borersC
The splitting wedges and the prying keysC
Such aids as serve the soft shod vault explorersC
To crack wrench open rifle as they pleaseC
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Ah these are tools which Heaven in mercy lends usC
When gathering rust has clenched our shackles fastD
Time is the angel thief that Nature sends usC
To break the cramping fetters of our pastD
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Mourn as we may for treasures he has takenE
Poor as we feel of hoarded wealth bereftF
More precious are those implements forsakenE
Found in the wreck his ruthless hands have leftF
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Some lever that a casket's hinge has brokenE
Pries off a bolt and lo our souls are freeG
Each year some Open Sesame is spokenE
And every decade drops its master keyG
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So as from year to year we count our treasureH
Our loss seems less and larger look our gainsC
Time's wrongs repaid in more than even measureH
We lose our jewels but we break our chainsC

Oliver Wendell Holmes



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