The Complaints Of The Poor Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCB DEFE GHIH CBIB JEIE KCLC MNON PQJQ RSBS TUVU WXYZ A2BABAnd wherefore do the Poor complain | A |
The rich man asked of me | B |
Come walk abroad with me I said | C |
And I will answer thee | B |
- | |
Twas evening and the frozen streets | D |
Were cheerless to behold | E |
And we were wrapt and coated well | F |
And yet we were a cold | E |
- | |
We met an old bare headed man | G |
His locks were few and white | H |
I ask'd him what he did abroad | I |
In that cold winter's night | H |
- | |
'Twas bitter keen indeed he said | C |
But at home no fire had he | B |
And therefore he had come abroad | I |
To ask for charity | B |
- | |
We met a young bare footed child | J |
And she begg'd loud and bold | E |
I ask'd her what she did abroad | I |
When the wind it blew so cold | E |
- | |
She said her father was at home | K |
And he lay sick a bed | C |
And therefore was it she was sent | L |
Abroad to beg for bread | C |
- | |
We saw a woman sitting down | M |
Upon a stone to rest | N |
She had a baby at her back | O |
And another at her breast | N |
- | |
I ask'd her why she loiter'd there | P |
When the wind it was so chill | Q |
She turn'd her head and bade the child | J |
That scream'd behind be still | Q |
- | |
She told us that her husband served | R |
A soldier far away | S |
And therefore to her parish she | B |
Was begging back her way | S |
- | |
We met a girl her dress was loose | T |
And sunken was her eye | U |
Who with the wanton's hollow voice | V |
Address'd the passers by | U |
- | |
I ask'd her what there was in guilt | W |
That could her heart allure | X |
To shame disease and late remorse | Y |
She answer'd she was poor | Z |
- | |
I turn'd me to the rich man then | A2 |
For silently stood he | B |
You ask'd me why the Poor complain | A |
And these have answer'd thee | B |
Robert Southey
(1)
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