A Death-bed Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCBD ECEC CFGF HIHJ KCKL MCMC NCNO CCCC PCQR STST| A | |
| - | |
| - | |
| This is the State above the Law | B |
| The State exists for the State alone quot | C |
| This is a gland at the back of the jaw | B |
| And an answering lump by the collar bone | D |
| - | |
| Some die shouting in gas or fire | E |
| Some die silent by shell and shot | C |
| Some die desperate caught on the wire | E |
| Some die suddenly This will not | C |
| - | |
| quot Regis suprema voluntas Lex quot | C |
| It will follow the regular course of throats | F |
| Some die pinned by the broken decks | G |
| Some die sobbing between the boats | F |
| - | |
| Some die eloquent pressed to death | H |
| By the sliding trench as their friends can hear | I |
| Some die wholly in half a breath | H |
| Some give trouble for half a year | J |
| - | |
| quot There is neither Evil nor Good in life | K |
| Except as the needs of the State ordain quot | C |
| Since it is rather too late for the knife | K |
| All we can do is to mask the pain | L |
| - | |
| Some die saintly in faith and hope | M |
| One died thus in a prison yard | C |
| Some die broken by rape or the rope | M |
| Some die easily This dies hard | C |
| - | |
| quot I will dash to pieces who bar my way | N |
| Woe to the traitor Woe to the weak quot | C |
| Let him write what he wishes to say | N |
| It tires him out if he tries to speak | O |
| - | |
| Some die quietly Some abound | C |
| In loud self pity Others spread | C |
| Bad morale through the cots around | C |
| This is a type that is better dead | C |
| - | |
| quot The war was forced on me by my foes | P |
| All that I sought was the right to live quot | C |
| Don't be afraid of a triple dose | Q |
| The pain will neutralize all we give | R |
| - | |
| Here are the needles See that he dies | S |
| While the effects of the drug endure | T |
| What is the question he asks with his eyes | S |
| Yes All Highest to God be sure | T |
Rudyard Kipling
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