Sketch-new Year's Day, 1790 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABBCC DDEEFFGGBBHI JJKLMNOOPPQQRRRSSTTU U VVBWXXYYZA2| nth's length again | A |
| I see the old bald pated fellow | B |
| With ardent eyes complexion sallow | B |
| Adjust the unimpair'd machine | C |
| To wheel the equal dull routine | C |
| - | |
| - | |
| The absent lover minor heir | D |
| In vain assail him with their prayer | D |
| Deaf as my friend he sees them press | E |
| Nor makes the hour one moment less | E |
| Will you the Major's with the hounds | F |
| The happy tenants share his rounds | F |
| Coila's fair Rachel's care to day | G |
| And blooming Keith's engaged with Gray | G |
| From housewife cares a minute borrow | B |
| That grandchild's cap will do to morrow | B |
| And join with me a moralizing | H |
| This day's propitious to be wise in | I |
| - | |
| - | |
| First what did yesternight deliver | J |
| Another year has gone for ever | J |
| And what is this day's strong suggestion | K |
| The passing moment's all we rest on | L |
| Rest on for what what do we here | M |
| Or why regard the passing year | N |
| Will Time amus'd with proverb'd lore | O |
| Add to our date one minute more | O |
| A few days may a few years must | P |
| Repose us in the silent dust | P |
| Then is it wise to damp our bliss | Q |
| Yes all such reasonings are amiss | Q |
| The voice of Nature loudly cries | R |
| And many a message from the skies | R |
| That something in us never dies | R |
| That on his frail uncertain state | S |
| Hang matters of eternal weight | S |
| That future life in worlds unknown | T |
| Must take its hue from this alone | T |
| Whether as heavenly glory bright | U |
| Or dark as Misery's woeful night | U |
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| - | |
| Since then my honour'd first of friends | V |
| On this poor being all depends | V |
| Let us th' important now employ | B |
| And live as those who never die | W |
| Tho' you with days and honours crown'd | X |
| Witness that filial circle round | X |
| A sight life's sorrows to repulse | Y |
| A sight pale Envy to convulse | Y |
| Others now claim your chief regard | Z |
| Yourself you wait your bright reward | A2 |
Robert Burns
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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