Verses From The Shepherds' Hymn Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCBDD EFGFHH AIAIJJ GKGKLL MGNGOO PKPKGG QRQRSS SNSNTT NKNKUU VNVNNN| We saw Thee in Thy balmy nest | A |
| Young dawn of our eternal day | B |
| We saw Thine eyes break from the East | C |
| And chase the trembling shades away | B |
| We saw Thee and we blest the sight | D |
| We saw Thee by Thine own sweet light | D |
| - | |
| Poor world said I what wilt thou do | E |
| To entertain this starry stranger | F |
| Is this the best thou canst bestow | G |
| A cold and not too cleanly manger | F |
| Contend the powers of heaven and earth | H |
| To fit a bed for this huge birth | H |
| - | |
| Proud world said I cease your contest | A |
| And let the mighty babe alone | I |
| The phoenix builds the phoenix' nest | A |
| Love's architecture is His own | I |
| The babe whose birth embraves this morn | J |
| Made His own bed ere He was born | J |
| - | |
| I saw the curl'd drops soft and slow | G |
| Come hovering o'er the place's head | K |
| Off'ring their whitest sheets of snow | G |
| To furnish the fair infant's bed | K |
| Forbear said I be not too bold | L |
| Your fleece is white but 'tis too cold | L |
| - | |
| I saw th' obsequious seraphim | M |
| Their rosy fleece of fire bestow | G |
| For well they now can spare their wings | N |
| Since Heaven itself lies here below | G |
| Well done said I but are you sure | O |
| Your down so warm will pass for pure | O |
| - | |
| No no your King 's not yet to seek | P |
| Where to repose His royal head | K |
| See see how soon His new bloom'd cheek | P |
| 'Twixt mother's breasts is gone to bed | K |
| Sweet choice said we no way but so | G |
| Not to lie cold you sleep in snow | G |
| - | |
| She sings Thy tears asleep and dips | Q |
| Her kisses in Thy weeping eye | R |
| She spreads the red leaves of Thy lips | Q |
| That in their buds yet blushing lie | R |
| She 'gainst those mother diamonds tries | S |
| The points of her young eagle's eyes | S |
| - | |
| Welcome tho' not to those gay flies | S |
| Gilded i' th' beams of earthly kings | N |
| Slippery souls in smiling eyes | S |
| But to poor shepherds homespun things | N |
| Whose wealth 's their flocks whose wit 's to be | T |
| Well read in their simplicity | T |
| - | |
| Yet when young April's husband show'rs | N |
| Shall bless the fruitful Maia's bed | K |
| We'll bring the first born of her flowers | N |
| To kiss Thy feet and crown Thy head | K |
| To Thee dread Lamb whose love must keep | U |
| The shepherds while they feed their sheep | U |
| - | |
| To Thee meek Majesty soft King | V |
| Of simple graces and sweet loves | N |
| Each of us his lamb will bring | V |
| Each his pair of silver doves | N |
| At last in fire of Thy fair eyes | N |
| Ourselves become our own best sacrifice | N |
Richard Crashaw
(1)
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