The Vowels. - A Tale. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBAAAA AACD EEFFAAAA AA GGAAHH AAAA| 'Twas where the birch and sounding thong are ply'd | A |
| The noisy domicile of pedant pride | A |
| Where ignorance her darkening vapour throws | B |
| And cruelty directs the thickening blows | B |
| upon a time Sir Abece the great | A |
| In all his pedagogic powers elate | A |
| His awful chair of state resolves to mount | A |
| And call the trembling vowels to account | A |
| - | |
| First enter'd A a grave broad solemn wight | A |
| But ah deform'd dishonest to the sight | A |
| His twisted head look'd backward on the way | C |
| And flagrant from the scourge he grunted ai | D |
| - | |
| Reluctant E stalk'd in with piteous race | E |
| The justling tears ran down his honest face | E |
| That name that well worn name and all his own | F |
| Pale he surrenders at the tyrant's throne | F |
| The pedant stifles keen the Roman sound | A |
| Not all his mongrel diphthongs can compound | A |
| And next the title following close behind | A |
| He to the nameless ghastly wretch assign'd | A |
| - | |
| The cobweb'd gothic dome resounded Y | - |
| In sullen vengeance I disdain'd reply | - |
| The pedant swung his felon cudgel round | A |
| And knock'd the groaning vowel to the ground | A |
| - | |
| In rueful apprehension enter'd O | G |
| The wailing minstrel of despairing woe | G |
| Th' Inquisitor of Spain the most expert | A |
| Might there have learnt new mysteries of his art | A |
| So grim deform'd with horrors entering U | H |
| His dearest friend and brother scarcely knew | H |
| - | |
| As trembling U stood staring all aghast | A |
| The pedant in his left hand clutched him fast | A |
| In helpless infants' tears he dipp'd his right | A |
| Baptiz'd him eu and kick'd him from his sight | A |
Robert Burns
(2)
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Written In Friars-carse Hermitage, On The Banks Of Nith. June. 1788. (first Copy.) Poem>>