The Soldier's Return: A Ballad Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCBDEFE GEAEHIJI AKAKLBMB NOIOPEPE IEQEERRR SRRRTRUR IRVRRRRR AEWEWERE

WHEN wild war's deadly blast was blawnA
And gentle peace returningB
Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherlessC
And mony a widow mourningB
I left the lines and tented fieldD
Where lang I'd been a lodgerE
My humble knapsack a' my wealthF
A poor and honest sodgerE
-
-
A leal light heart was in my breastG
My hand unstain'd wi' plunderE
And for fair Scotia hame againA
I cheery on did wanderE
I thought upon the banks o' CoilH
I thought upon my NancyI
I thought upon the witching smileJ
That caught my youthful fancyI
-
-
At length I reach'd the bonie glenA
Where early life I sportedK
I pass'd the mill and trysting thornA
Where Nancy aft I courtedK
Wha spied I but my ain dear maidL
Down by her mother's dwellingB
And turn'd me round to hide the floodM
That in my een was swellingB
-
-
Wi' alter'd voice quoth I Sweet lassN
Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossomO
O happy happy may he beI
That's dearest to thy bosomO
My purse is light I've far to gangP
And fain would be thy lodgerE
I've serv'd my king and country langP
Take pity on a sodgerE
-
-
Sae wistfully she gaz'd on meI
And lovelier was than everE
Quo' she A sodger ance I lo'edQ
Forget him shall I neverE
Our humble cot and hamely fareE
Ye freely shall partake itR
That gallant badge the dear cockadeR
Ye're welcome for the sake o'tR
-
-
She gaz'd she redden'd like a roseS
Syne pale like only lilyR
She sank within my arms and criedR
Art thou my ain dear WillieR
By him who made yon sun and skyT
By whom true love's regardedR
I am the man and thus may stillU
True lovers be rewardedR
-
-
The wars are o'er and I'm come hameI
And find thee still true heartedR
Tho' poor in gear we're rich in loveV
And mair we'se ne'er be partedR
Quo' she My grandsire left me gowdR
A mailen plenish'd fairlyR
And come my faithfu' sodger ladR
Thou'rt welcome to it dearlyR
-
-
For gold the merchant ploughs the mainA
The farmer ploughs the manorE
But glory is the sodger's prizeW
The sodger's wealth is honorE
The brave poor sodger ne'er despiseW
Nor count him as a strangerE
Remember he's his country's stayR
In day and hour of dangerE

Robert Burns



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