Verses From The Shepherds' Hymn Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCBDD EFGFHH AIAIJJ GKGKLL MGNGOO PKPKGG QRQRSS SNSNTT NKNKUU VNVNNNWE saw Thee in Thy balmy nest | A |
nbsp nbsp nbsp Young dawn of our eternal day | B |
We saw Thine eyes break from the East | C |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp To entertain this starry stranger | F |
Is this the best thou canst bestow | G |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp And let the mighty babe alone | I |
The phoenix builds the phoenix' nest | A |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp Come hovering o'er the place's head | K |
Off'ring their whitest sheets of snow | G |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp Their rosy fleece of fire bestow | G |
For well they now can spare their wings | N |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp Where to repose His royal head | K |
See see how soon His new bloom'd cheek | P |
nbsp nbsp nbsp '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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp Her kisses in Thy weeping eye | R |
She spreads the red leaves of Thy lips | Q |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp Gilded i' th' beams of earthly kings | N |
Slippery souls in smiling eyes | S |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp Shall bless the fruitful Maia's bed | K |
We'll bring the first born of her flowers | N |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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 |
nbsp nbsp nbsp Of simple graces and sweet loves | N |
Each of us his lamb will bring | V |
nbsp nbsp nbsp 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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