Susanna Moodie

Poems Biography

The Earthquake Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABABCD EFEFGG HIJIKL JMHMNN OAPAMM QRQRSS MMMMAA TUTUVW XCXCAV

There was no sound in earth or airA
And soft the moonbeams smiledB
On stately tower and temple fairA
Like mother o'er her childB
And all was hushed in the deep reposeC
That welcomes the summer evening's closeD
-
Many an eye that day had weptE
And many a cheek with joy grew brightF
Which now alike unconscious sleptE
Beneath the wan moonlightF
And mandolin and gay guitarG
Had ceased to woo the evening starG
-
The lover has sought his couch againH
And the maiden's eyes no longer glistenI
As she comes to the lattice to catch his strainJ
And sighs while she bends to smile and listenI
She sleeps but her rosy lips still moveK
And in dreams she answers the voice of loveL
-
Sleep on ye thoughtless and giddy trainJ
Sorrow comes with the dawning rayM
Ye never shall wake to joy againH
Or your gay laugh gladden the rising dayM
Death sits brooding above your towersN
And destruction rides on the coming hoursN
-
The day has dawned but not a breathO
Sighs through the sultry airA
The heavens above and earth beneathP
One gloomy aspect wearA
Horror and doubt and wild dismayM
Welcome the dawn of that fatal dayM
-
Hark 'tis not the thunder's lengthened pealQ
Hark 'tis not the winds that riseR
Or the heavy crush of the laden wheelQ
That echoes through the skiesR
'Tis the sound that gives the earthquake birthS
'Tis the heavy groans of the rending earthS
-
Oh there were shrieks of wild affrightM
And sounds of hurrying feetM
And men who cursed the lurid lightM
Whose glance they feared to meetM
And some sunk down in mute despairA
On the parched earth and perished thereA
-
It comes it comes that lengthened shockT
The earth before it reelsU
The stately towers and temples rockT
The dark abyss revealsU
Its fiery depths the strife is o'erV
The city sinks to rise no moreW
-
She has passed from earth like a fearful dreamX
Where her pomp and splendour roseC
There runs a dark and turbid streamX
And a sable cloud its shadow throwsC
Pale sorrow broods in silence thereA
To mourn the perished things that wereV

Susanna Moodie



Rate:
(1)



Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme

Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
<< The Evening Hour Poem The Child's First Grief Poem>>

Write your comment about The Earthquake poem by Susanna Moodie

 

Recent Interactions*

This poem was read 102 times,

This poem was added to the favorite list by 0 members,

This poem was voted by 0 members.

(* Interactions only in the last 7 days)

New Poems

Popular Poets