The Hippopotamus Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCBADC AC CACA EFEF GCHC IAIA CACA ACAC JCJC KAKA LALA| Similiter et omnes revereantur Diaconos ut | A |
| mandatum Jesu Christi et Episcopum ut Jesum | B |
| Christum existentem filium Patris Presbyteros | C |
| autem ut concilium Dei et conjunctionem | B |
| Apostolorum Sine his Ecclesia non vocatur de | A |
| quibus suadeo vos sic habeo | D |
| S Ignatii Ad Trallianos | C |
| - | |
| And when this epistle is read among you cause that | A |
| it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans | C |
| - | |
| - | |
| The broad backed hippopotamus | C |
| Rests on his belly in the mud | A |
| Although he seems so firm to us | C |
| He is merely flesh and blood | A |
| - | |
| Flesh and blood is weak and frail | E |
| Susceptible to nervous shock | F |
| While the True Church can never fail | E |
| For it is based upon a rock | F |
| - | |
| The hippo's feeble steps may err | G |
| In compassing material ends | C |
| While the True Church need never stir | H |
| To gather in its dividends | C |
| - | |
| The 'potamus can never reach | I |
| The mango on the mango tree | A |
| But fruits of pomegranate and peach | I |
| Refresh the Church from over sea | A |
| - | |
| At mating time the hippo's voice | C |
| Betrays inflexions hoarse and odd | A |
| But every week we hear rejoice | C |
| The Church at being one with God | A |
| - | |
| The hippopotamus's day | A |
| Is passed in sleep at night he hunts | C |
| God works in a mysterious way | A |
| The Church can sleep and feed at once | C |
| - | |
| I saw the 'potamus take wing | J |
| Ascending from the damp savannas | C |
| And quiring angels round him sing | J |
| The praise of God in loud hosannas | C |
| - | |
| Blood of the Lamb shall wash him clean | K |
| And him shall heavenly arms enfold | A |
| Among the saints he shall be seen | K |
| Performing on a harp of gold | A |
| - | |
| He shall be washed as white as snow | L |
| By all the martyr'd virgins kist | A |
| While the True Church remains below | L |
| Wrapt in the old miasmal mist | A |
T. S. Eliot
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