Good Friday: Rex Tragicus; Or, Christ Going To His Cross Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCCDDEEFGHHEEIIJGKK LLLMMNOKKPPQRLLSSTU| Put off Thy robe of purple then go on | A |
| To the sad place of execution | B |
| Thine hour is come and the tormentor stands | C |
| Ready to pierce Thy tender feet and hands | C |
| Long before this the base the dull the rude | D |
| Th' inconstant and unpurged multitude | D |
| Yawn for Thy coming some ere this time cry | E |
| How He defers how loath He is to die | E |
| Amongst this scum the soldier with his spear | F |
| And that sour fellow with his vinegar | G |
| His sponge and stick do ask why Thou dost stay | H |
| So do the scurf and bran too Go Thy way | H |
| Thy way Thou guiltless man and satisfy | E |
| By Thine approach each their beholding eye | E |
| Not as a thief shalt Thou ascend the mount | I |
| But like a person of some high account | I |
| The Cross shall be Thy stage and Thou shalt there | J |
| The spacious field have for Thy theatre | G |
| Thou art that Roscius and that marked out man | K |
| That must this day act the tragedian | K |
| To wonder and affrightment Thou art He | L |
| Whom all the flux of nations comes to see | L |
| Not those poor thieves that act their parts with Thee | L |
| Those act without regard when once a king | M |
| And God as Thou art comes to suffering | M |
| No no this scene from Thee takes life and sense | N |
| And soul and spirit plot and excellence | O |
| Why then begin great King ascend Thy throne | K |
| And thence proceed to act Thy Passion | K |
| To such an height to such a period raised | P |
| As hell and earth and heav'n may stand amazed | P |
| God and good angels guide Thee and so bless | Q |
| Thee in Thy several parts of bitterness | R |
| That those who see Thee nail'd unto the tree | L |
| May though they scorn Thee praise and pity Thee | L |
| And we Thy lovers while we see Thee keep | S |
| The laws of action will both sigh and weep | S |
| And bring our spices to embalm Thee dead | T |
| That done we'll see Thee sweetly buried | U |
Robert Herrick
(2)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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