Rahere Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABC DDEE FFGG HHII GGF GGJJ FFFF FFKK IIL| Rahere King Henry's jester feared by all the Norman Lords | A |
| For his eye that pierced their bosoms for his tongue that shamed their swords | A |
| Feed and flattered by the Churchmen well they knew how deep he stood | B |
| In dark Henry's crooked counsels fell upon an evil mood | C |
| - | |
| Suddenly his days before him and behind him seemed to stand | D |
| Stripped and barren fixed and fruitless as those leagues of naked sand | D |
| When St Michael's ebb slinks outward to the bleak horizon bound | E |
| And the trampling wide mouthed waters are withdrawn from sight and sound | E |
| - | |
| Then a Horror of Great Darkness sunk his spirit and anon | F |
| Who had seen him wince and whiten as he turned to walk alone | F |
| Followed Gilbert the Physician and muttered in his ear | G |
| 'Thou hast it O my brother ' 'Yea I have it ' said Rahere | G |
| - | |
| 'So it comes ' said Gilbert smoothly 'man's most immanent distress | H |
| 'Tis a humour of the Spirit which abhorreth all excess | H |
| And whatever breed the surfeit Wealth or Wit or Power or Fame | I |
| And thou hast each the Spirit laboureth to expel the same | I |
| - | |
| 'Hence the dulled eye's deep self loathing hence the loaded leaden brow | G |
| Hence the burden of Wanhope that aches thy soul and body now | G |
| Ay the merriest fool must face it and the wisest Doctor learn | F |
| For it comes it comes ' said Gilbert 'as it passes to return ' | - |
| - | |
| But Rahere was in his torment and he wandered dumb and far | G |
| Till he came to reeking Smithfield where the crowded gallows are | G |
| Followed Gilbert the Physician and beneath the wry necked dead | J |
| Sat a leper and his woman very merry breaking bread | J |
| - | |
| He was cloaked from chin to ankle faceless fingerless obscene | F |
| Mere corruption swaddled man wise but the woman whole and clean | F |
| And she waited on him crooning and Rahere beheld the twain | F |
| Each delighting in the other and he checked and groaned again | F |
| - | |
| 'So it comes it comes ' said Gilbert 'as it came when Life began | F |
| 'Tis a motion of the Spirit that revealeth God to man | F |
| In the shape of Love exceeding which regards not taint or fall | K |
| Since in perfect Love saith Scripture can be no excess at all | K |
| - | |
| 'Hence the eye that sees no blemish hence the hour that holds no shame | I |
| Hence the Soul assured the Essence and the Substance are the same | I |
| Nay the meanest need not miss it though the mightier pass it by | L |
| For it comes it comes ' said Gilbert 'and thou seest it does not die ' | - |
Rudyard Kipling
(2)
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