The Clerks And The Bells Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCC DDEEFF CCGHCC CCHHII HHJJHH KKLLCCHH

The merry clerks of Oxenford they stretch themselves at easeA
Unhelmeted on unbleached sward beneath unshrivelled treesA
For the leaves the leaves are on the bough the bark is on the boleB
And East and West men's housen stand all even roofed and wholeB
Men's housen doored and glazed and floored and whole at every turnC
And so the Bells of Oxenford ring Time it is to learnC
-
The merry clerks of Oxenford they read and they are toldD
Of famous men who drew the sword in furious fights of oldD
They heark and mark it faithfully but never clerk will writeE
What vision rides 'twixt book and eye from any nearer fightE
Whose supplication rends the soul Whose night long cries repeatF
And so the Bells of Oxenford ring Time it is to eatF
-
The merry clerks of Oxenford they sit them down anonC
At tables fair with silver ware and naperies thereonC
Free to refuse or dainty choose what dish shall seem them goodG
For they have done with single meats and waters streaked with bloodH
That three days' fast is overpast when all those guns said NayC
And so the Bells of Oxenford ring Time it is to playC
-
The merry clerks of Oxenford they hasten one by oneC
Or band in companies abroad to ride or row or runC
By waters level with fair meads all goldenly bespreadH
Where flash June's clashing dragon flies but no man bows his headH
Though bullet wise June's dragon flies deride the fearless airI
And so the Bells of Oxenford ring Time it is for prayerI
-
The pious clerks of Oxenford they kneel at twilight tideH
For to receive and well believe the Word of Him Who diedH
And though no present wings of Death hawk hungry round that placeJ
Their brows are bent upon their hands that none may see their faceJ
Who set aside the world and died What life shall please Him bestH
And so the Bells of Oxenford ring Time it is to restH
-
The merry clerks of Oxenford lie under bolt and barK
Lest they should rake the midnight clouds or chase a sliding starK
In fear of fine and dread rebuke they round their full night sleepL
And leave that world which once they took for older men to keepL
Who walks by dreams what ghostly wood in search of play mate slainC
Until the Bells of Oxenford ring in the light againC
Unburdened breeze unstricken trees and all God's works restoredH
In this way live the merry clerks the clerks of OxenfordH

Rudyard Kipling



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