Ode On The Death Of A Favourite Cat Drowned In A Tub Of Goldfishes Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABCCB DEFGGF AAHIIH JJKGGK LLMNNO PQRSSR RRRGGR| 'Twas on a lofty vase's side | A |
| Where China's gayest art had dy'd | A |
| The azure flow'rs that blow | B |
| Demurest of the tabby kind | C |
| The pensive Selima reclin'd | C |
| Gazed on the lake below | B |
| - | |
| Her conscious tail her joy declar'd | D |
| The fair round face the snowy beard | E |
| The velvet of her paws | F |
| Her coat that with the tortoise vies | G |
| Her ears of jet and emerald eyes | G |
| She saw and purr'd applause | F |
| - | |
| Still had she gaz'd but 'midst the tide | A |
| Two angel forms were seen to glide | A |
| The Genii of the stream | H |
| Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue | I |
| Thro' richest purple to the view | I |
| Betray'd a golden gleam | H |
| - | |
| The hapless Nymph with wonder saw | J |
| A whisker first and then a claw | J |
| With many an ardent wish | K |
| She stretch'd in vain to reach the prize | G |
| What female heart can gold despise | G |
| What cat's averse to fish | K |
| - | |
| Presumptuous Maid with looks intent | L |
| Again she stretch'd again she bent | L |
| Nor knew the gulf between | M |
| Malignant Fate sat by and smil'd | N |
| The slipp'ry verge her feet beguil'd | N |
| She tumbled headlong in | O |
| - | |
| Eight times emerging from the flood | P |
| She mew'd to ev'ry wat'ry god | Q |
| Some speedy aid to send | R |
| No Dolphin came no Nereid stirr'd | S |
| Nor cruel Tom nor Susan heard | S |
| A Fav'rite has no friend | R |
| - | |
| From hence ye Beauties undeceiv'd | R |
| Know one false step is ne'er retriev'd | R |
| And be with caution bold | R |
| Not all that tempts your wand'ring eyes | G |
| And heedless hearts is lawful prize | G |
| Nor all that glisters gold | R |
Thomas Gray
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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