Donica Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCD BEFE GHIH JKLK MDND ODPB QRSR TDUD HVWV XYDY ZA2B2A2 C2D2E2D2 DF2G2H2 I2J2K2J2 L2IM2N2 O2I2G2P2 Q2ADA R2S2AS2 ABA DT2E2T2 U2AMA AA2AA2 AF2AH2 AA2AA2 V2A2AA2 AAAA W2AAA BT2X2T2 SAAAHigh on a rock whose castled shade | A |
Darken'd the lake below | B |
In ancient strength majestic stood | C |
The towers of Arlinkow | D |
- | |
The fisher in the lake below | B |
Durst never cast his net | E |
Nor ever swallow in its waves | F |
Her passing wings would wet | E |
- | |
The cattle from its ominous banks | G |
In wild alarm would run | H |
Tho' parched with thirst and faint beneath | I |
The summer's scorching sun | H |
- | |
For sometimes when no passing breeze | J |
The long lank sedges waved | K |
All white with foam and heaving high | L |
Its deafening billows raved | K |
- | |
And when the tempest from its base | M |
The rooted pine would shake | D |
The powerless storm unruffling swept | N |
Across the calm dead lake | D |
- | |
And ever then when Death drew near | O |
The house of Arlinkow | D |
Its dark unfathom'd depths did send | P |
Strange music from below | B |
- | |
The Lord of Arlinkow was old | Q |
One only child had he | R |
Donica was the Maiden's name | S |
As fair as fair might be | R |
- | |
A bloom as bright as opening morn | T |
Flush'd o'er her clear white cheek | D |
The music of her voice was mild | U |
Her full dark eyes were meek | D |
- | |
Far was her beauty known for none | H |
So fair could Finland boast | V |
Her parents loved the Maiden much | W |
Young EBERHARD loved her most | V |
- | |
Together did they hope to tread | X |
The pleasant path of life | Y |
For now the day drew near to make | D |
Donica Eberhard's wife | Y |
- | |
The eve was fair and mild the air | Z |
Along the lake they stray | A2 |
The eastern hill reflected bright | B2 |
The fading tints of day | A2 |
- | |
And brightly o'er the water stream'd | C2 |
The liquid radiance wide | D2 |
Donica's little dog ran on | E2 |
And gambol'd at her side | D2 |
- | |
Youth Health and Love bloom'd on her cheek | D |
Her full dark eyes express | F2 |
In many a glance to Eberhard | G2 |
Her soul's meek tenderness | H2 |
- | |
Nor sound was heard nor passing gale | I2 |
Sigh'd thro' the long lank sedge | J2 |
The air was hushed no little wave | K2 |
Dimpled the water's edge | J2 |
- | |
Sudden the unfathom'd lake sent forth | L2 |
Strange music from beneath | I |
And slowly o'er the waters sail'd | M2 |
The solemn sounds of Death | N2 |
- | |
As the deep sounds of Death arose | O2 |
Donica's cheek grew pale | I2 |
And in the arms of Eberhard | G2 |
The senseless Maiden fell | P2 |
- | |
Loudly the youth in terror shriek'd | Q2 |
And loud he call'd for aid | A |
And with a wild and eager look | D |
Gaz'd on the death pale Maid | A |
- | |
But soon again did better thoughts | R2 |
In Eberhard arise | S2 |
And he with trembling hope beheld | A |
The Maiden raise her eyes | S2 |
- | |
And on his arm reclin'd she moved | A |
With feeble pace and slow | B |
And soon with strength recover'd reach'd | A |
- | |
Yet never to Donica's cheek | D |
Return'd the lively hue | T2 |
Her cheeks were deathy white and wan | E2 |
Her lips a livid blue | T2 |
- | |
Her eyes so bright and black of yore | U2 |
Were now more black and bright | A |
And beam'd strange lustre in her face | M |
So deadly wan and white | A |
- | |
The dog that gambol'd by her side | A |
And lov'd with her to stray | A2 |
Now at his alter'd mistress howl'd | A |
And fled in fear away | A2 |
- | |
Yet did the faithful Eberhard | A |
Not love the Maid the less | F2 |
He gaz'd with sorrow but he gaz'd | A |
With deeper tenderness | H2 |
- | |
And when he found her health unharm'd | A |
He would not brook delay | A2 |
But press'd the not unwilling Maid | A |
To fix the bridal day | A2 |
- | |
And when at length it came with joy | V2 |
They hail'd the bridal day | A2 |
And onward to the house of God | A |
They went their willing way | A2 |
- | |
And as they at the altar stood | A |
And heard the sacred rite | A |
The hallowed tapers dimly stream'd | A |
A pale sulphureous light | A |
- | |
And as the Youth with holy warmth | W2 |
Her hand in his did hold | A |
Sudden he felt Donica's hand | A |
Grow deadly damp and cold | A |
- | |
And loudly did he shriek for lo | B |
A Spirit met his view | T2 |
And Eberhard in the angel form | X2 |
His own Donica knew | T2 |
- | |
That instant from her earthly frame | S |
Howling the Daemon fled | A |
And at the side of Eberhard | A |
The livid form fell dead | A |
Robert Southey
(1)
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