On A Sea Wall Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCB DEFEDE GHGHGH IJFJFJ BKBKBK LELELE| I sit upon the old sea wall | A |
| And watch the shimmering sea | B |
| Where soft and white the moonbeams fall | A |
| Till in a fantasy | B |
| Some pure white maiden's funeral pall | C |
| The strange light seems to me | B |
| - | |
| The waters break upon the shore | D |
| And shiver at my feet | E |
| While I dream old dreams o'er and o'er | F |
| And dim old scenes repeat | E |
| Tho' all have dreamed the same before | D |
| They still seem new and sweet | E |
| - | |
| The waves still sing the same old song | G |
| That knew an elder time | H |
| The breakers' beat is not more strong | G |
| Their music more sublime | H |
| And poets thro' the ages long | G |
| Have set these notes to rhyme | H |
| - | |
| But this shall not deter my lyre | I |
| Nor check my simple strain | J |
| If I have not the old time fire | F |
| I know the ancient pain | J |
| The hurt of unfulfilled desire | F |
| The ember quenched by rain | J |
| - | |
| I know the softly shining sea | B |
| That rolls this gentle swell | K |
| Has snarled and licked its tongues at me | B |
| And bared its fangs as well | K |
| That 'neath its smile so heavenly | B |
| There lurks the scowl of hell | K |
| - | |
| But what of that I strike my string | L |
| For songs in youth are sweet | E |
| I 'll wait and hear the waters bring | L |
| Their loud resounding beat | E |
| Then in her own bold numbers sing | L |
| The Ocean's dear deceit | E |
Paul Laurence Dunbar
(1)
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