To Myrtilis - The New Year's Offering Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDDEEFFCCGGHHIJKKL LMNOPPQQHHRRSSIBTCUU VWXXEEKKYYIIZZGGCTA2 A2B2B2C2C2D2D2E2E2CC| Madam | A |
| Long have I look'd my tablets o'er | B |
| And find I've much to thank you for | C |
| Outstanding debts beyond account | D |
| And new who knows to what amount | D |
| Though small my wealth not small my soul | E |
| Come then at once I'll pay the whole | E |
| Ye powers I'm rich and will command | F |
| The host of slaves that round me stand | F |
| Come Indian quick disclose thy store | C |
| And hither bring Peruvian ore | C |
| Let yonder Negro pierce the main | G |
| The choicest largest pearl to gain | G |
| Let all my slaves their art combine | H |
| To make the blushing ruby mine | H |
| From eastern thrones the diamonds bear | I |
| To sparkle at her breast and ear | J |
| Swift Scythian point the unerring dart | K |
| That strikes the ermine's little heart | K |
| And search for choicest furs the globe | L |
| To make my Myrtilis a robe | L |
| Ah no yon Indian will not go | M |
| No Scythian designs to bed his bow | N |
| No sullen Negro shoots the flood | O |
| All all my empty power disown | P |
| I turn and find myself alone | P |
| 'Tis Fancy's vain illusion all | Q |
| No Moor nor Scythian waits my call | Q |
| Can I command can I consign | H |
| Alas what earthly thing is mine | H |
| Come then my Muse companion dear | R |
| Of poverty and soul sincere | R |
| Come dictate to my grateful mind | S |
| A gift that may acceptance find | S |
| Come gentle Muse and with thee bear | I |
| An offering worthy thee and her | B |
| And though thy presents be but poor | T |
| My Myrtilis will ask no more | C |
| A Heart that scorns a shameful thing | U |
| With love and verse is all I bring | U |
| Of love and verse the gift receive | V |
| 'Tis all thy servant has to give | W |
| If all whate'er my verse has told | X |
| Golconda's gems and Afric's gold | X |
| If all were mine from pole to pole | E |
| How large her share who shares my soul | E |
| But more than these may Heaven impart | K |
| Be thine the treasures of the heart | K |
| Be calm and glad thy future days | Y |
| With virtue's peace and virtue's praise | Y |
| Let jealous pride and sleepless care | I |
| And wasting grief and black despair | I |
| And languor chill and anguish fell | Z |
| For ever shun thy grove and cell | Z |
| There only may the happy train | G |
| Of love and joy and peace remain | G |
| May plenty with exhaustless store | C |
| Employ thy hand to feed the poor | T |
| And ever on thy honour'd head | A2 |
| The prayer of gratitude be shed | A2 |
| A happy mother may'st thou see | B2 |
| Thy smiling virtuous progeny | B2 |
| Whose sportful tricks and airy play | C2 |
| Fraternal love and prattle gay | C2 |
| Or wondrous tale or joyful song | D2 |
| May lure the lingering hours along | D2 |
| Till death arrive unfelt unseen | E2 |
| With gentle pace and placid mien | E2 |
| And waft thee to that happy shore | C |
| Where wishes can have place no more | C |
Samuel Johnson
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation