The Shivering Beggar Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB CCDD EEFF GGHH IIJJ KKLL HHEE MMNN OOEE| Near Clapham village where fields began | A |
| Saint Edward met a beggar man | A |
| It was Christmas morning the church bells tolled | B |
| The old man trembled for the fierce cold | B |
| - | |
| Saint Edward cried It is monstrous sin | C |
| A beggar to lie in rags so thin | C |
| An old grey beard and the frost so keen | D |
| I shall give him my fur lined gaberdine | D |
| - | |
| He stripped off his gaberdine of scarlet | E |
| And wrapped it round the aged varlet | E |
| Who clutched at the folds with a muttered curse | F |
| Quaking and chattering seven times worse | F |
| - | |
| Said Edward Sir it would seem you freeze | G |
| Most bitter at your extremities | G |
| Here are gloves and shoes and stockings also | H |
| That warm upon your way you may go | H |
| - | |
| The man took stocking and shoe and glove | I |
| Blaspheming Christ our Saviour's love | I |
| Yet seemed to find but little relief | J |
| Shaking and shivering like a leaf | J |
| - | |
| Said the saint again I have no great riches | K |
| Yet take this tunic take these breeches | K |
| My shirt and my vest take everything | L |
| And give due thanks to Jesus the King | L |
| - | |
| The saint stood naked upon the snow | H |
| Long miles from where he was lodged at Bowe | H |
| Praying O God my faith it grows faint | E |
| This would try the temper of any saint | E |
| - | |
| Make clean my heart Almighty I pray | M |
| And drive these sinful thoughts away | M |
| Make clean my heart if it be Thy will | N |
| This damned old rascal's shivering still | N |
| - | |
| He stooped he touched the beggar man's shoulder | O |
| He asked him did the frost nip colder | O |
| Frost said the beggar no stupid lad | E |
| 'Tis the palsy makes me shiver so bad | E |
Robert Graves
(1)
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