Laus Deo Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBCCBDEDBEBDFGHIJD JFHKLMNMNLBDOOPQRDST TGUGUGEVWVEWXYZA2A2Y ZB2XZC2B2DD2C2D2EGE2 ZF2F2GGGGGG2G2GE2F2G ZRRG| In the hall the coffin waits and the idle armourer stands | A |
| At his belt the coffin nails and the hammer in his hands | A |
| The bed of state is hung with crape the grand old bed where she was wed | B |
| And like an upright corpse she sitteth gazing dumbly at the bed | B |
| Hour by hour her serving men enter by the curtain'd door | C |
| And with steps of muffled woe pass breathless o'er the silent floor | C |
| And marshal mutely round and look from each to each with eyelids red | B |
| 'Touch him not ' she shriek'd and cried 'he is but newly dead ' | D |
| 'O my own dear mistress ' the ancient Nurse did say | E |
| 'Seven long days and seven long nights you have watch'd him where he lay ' | D |
| 'Seven long days and seven long nights ' the hoary Steward said | B |
| 'Seven long days and seven long nights ' groan'd the Warrener gray | E |
| 'Seven ' said the old Henchman and bow'd his ag egrave d head | B |
| 'On your lives ' she shriek'd and cried 'he is but newly dead ' | D |
| Then a father Priest they sought | F |
| The Priest that taught her all she knew | G |
| And they told him of her loss | H |
| 'For she is mild and sweet of will | I |
| She loved him and his words are peace | J |
| And he shall heal her ill ' | D |
| But her watch she did not cease | J |
| He bless'd her where she sat distraught | F |
| And show'd her holy cross | H |
| The cross she kiss'd from year to year | K |
| But she neither saw nor heard | L |
| And said he in her deaf ear | M |
| All he had been wont to teach | N |
| All she had been fond to hear | M |
| Missall'd prayer and solemn speech | N |
| But she answer'd not a word | L |
| Only when he turn'd to speak with those who wept about the bed | B |
| 'On your lives ' she shriek'd and cried 'he is but newly dead ' | D |
| Then how sadly he turn'd from her it were wonderful to tell | O |
| And he stood beside the death bed as by one who slumbers well | O |
| And he lean'd o'er him who lay there and in cautious whisper low | P |
| 'He is not dead but sleepeth ' said the Priest and smooth'd his brow | Q |
| 'Sleepeth ' said she looking up and the sun rose in her face | R |
| 'He must be better than I thought for the sleep is very sound ' | D |
| 'He is better ' said the Priest and call'd her maidens round | S |
| With them came that ancient dame who nursed her when a child | T |
| O Nurse ' she sigh'd 'O Nurse ' she cried 'O Nurse ' and then she smiled | T |
| And then she wept with that they drew | G |
| About her as of old | U |
| Her dying eyes were sweet and blue | G |
| Her trembling touch was cold | U |
| But she said 'My maidens true | G |
| No more weeping and well away | E |
| Let them kill the feast | V |
| I would be happy in my soul | W |
| He is better saith the Priest | V |
| He did but sleep the weary day | E |
| And will waken whole | W |
| Carry me to his dear side | X |
| And let the halls be trim | Y |
| Whistly whistly ' said she | Z |
| 'I am wan with watching and wail | A2 |
| He must not wake to see me pale | A2 |
| Let me sleep with him | Y |
| See you keep the tryst for me | Z |
| I would rest till he awake | B2 |
| And rise up like a bride | X |
| But whistly whistly ' said she | Z |
| 'Yet rejoice your Lord doth live | C2 |
| And for His dear sake | B2 |
| Say Laus Domine ' | D |
| Silent they cast down their eyes | D2 |
| And every breast a sob did rive | C2 |
| She lifted her in wild surprise | D2 |
| And they dared not disobey | E |
| 'Laus Deo ' said the Steward hoary when her days were new | G |
| 'Laus Deo ' said the Warrener whiter than the warren snows | E2 |
| 'Laus Deo ' the bald Henchman who had nursed her on his knee | Z |
| The old Nurse moved her lips in vain | F2 |
| And she stood among the train | F2 |
| Like a dead tree shaking dew | G |
| Then the Priest he softly stept | G |
| Midway in the little band | G |
| And he took the Lady's hand | G |
| 'Laus Deo ' he said aloud | G |
| 'Laus Deo ' they said again | G2 |
| Yet again and yet again | G2 |
| Humbly cross'd and lowly bow'd | G |
| Till in wont and fear it rose | E2 |
| To the Sabbath strain | F2 |
| But she neither turn'd her head | G |
| Nor 'Whistly whistly ' said she | Z |
| Her hands were folded as in grace | R |
| We laid her with her ancient race | R |
| And all the village wept | G |
Sydney Dobell
(1)
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