The Last Word Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB CCDD EEAA FFGG HHII JJF KKLL FFMM NNOO PPQQ RRSS LTUU| Before the April night was late | A |
| A rider came to the castle gate | A |
| A rider breathing human breath | B |
| But the words he spoke were the words of Death | B |
| - | |
| 'Greet you well from the King our lord | C |
| He marches hot for the eastward ford | C |
| Living or dying all or one | D |
| Ye must keep the ford till the race be run | D |
| - | |
| Sir Alain rose with lips that smiled | E |
| He kissed his wife he kissed his child | E |
| Before the April night was late | A |
| Sir Alain rode from the castle gate | A |
| - | |
| He called his men at arms by name | F |
| But one there was uncalled that came | F |
| He bade his troop behind him ride | G |
| But there was one that rode beside | G |
| - | |
| 'Why will you spur so fast to die | H |
| Be wiser ere the night go by | H |
| A message late is a message lost | I |
| For all your haste the foe had crossed | I |
| - | |
| 'Are men such small unmeaning things | J |
| To strew the board of smiling Kings | J |
| With life and death they play their game | F |
| And life or death the end's the same ' | - |
| - | |
| Softly the April air above | K |
| Rustled the woodland homes of love | K |
| Softly the April air below | L |
| Carried the dream of buds that blow | L |
| - | |
| 'Is he that bears a warrior's fame | F |
| To shun the pointless stroke of shame | F |
| Will he that propped a trembling throne | M |
| Not stand for right when right's his own | M |
| - | |
| 'Your oath on the four gospels sworn | N |
| What oath can bind resolves unborn | N |
| You lose that far eternal life | O |
| Is it yours to lose Is it child and wife | O |
| - | |
| But now beyond the pathway's bend | P |
| Sir Alain saw the forest end | P |
| And winding wide beneath the hill | Q |
| The glassy river lone and still | Q |
| - | |
| And now he saw with lifted eyes | R |
| The East like a great chancel rise | R |
| And deep through all his senses drawn | S |
| Received the sacred wine of dawn | S |
| - | |
| He set his face to the stream below | L |
| He drew his axe from the saddle bow | T |
| 'Farewell Messire the night is sped | U |
| There lies the ford when all is said' | U |
Sir Henry Newbolt
(1)
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