San Sebastian Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCDCD EFEEE GEGEH IJKJK ELELE EMEME MNMOM PQRQR NESES ETETE EUNUN IEIEI EVIVI ECDCD

With Thoughts of Sergeant M Pensioner who diedA
-
WHY Sergeant stray on the Ivel WayB
As though at home there were spectres rifeC
From first to last 'twas a proud careerD
And your sunny years with a gracious wifeC
Have brought you a daughter dearD
-
I watched her to day a more comely maidE
As she danced in her muslin bowed with blueF
Round a Hintock maypole never gayedE
Aye aye I watched her this day tooE
As it happens the Sergeant saidE
-
My daughter is now he again beganG
Of just such an age as one I knewE
When we of the Line in the Foot Guard vanG
On an August morning a chosen fewE
Stormed San SebastianH
-
She's a score less three so about was sheI
The maiden I wronged in Peninsular daysJ
You may prate of your prowess in lusty timesK
But as years gnaw inward you blink your baysJ
And see too well your crimesK
-
We'd stormed it at night by the vlanker lightE
Of burning towers and the mortar's boomL
We'd topped the breach but had failed to stayE
For our files were misled by the baffling gloomL
And we said we'd storm by dayE
-
So out of the trenches with features setE
On that hot still morning in measured paceM
Our column climbed climbed higher yetE
Past the fauss'bray scarp up the curtain faceM
And along the parapetE
-
From the batteried hornwork the cannoneersM
Hove crashing balls of iron fireN
On the shaking gap mount the volunteersM
In files and as they mount expireO
Amid curses groans and cheersM
-
Five hours did we storm five hours re formP
As Death cooled those hot blood pricked onQ
Till our cause was helped by a woe withinR
They swayed from the summit we'd leapt uponQ
And madly we entered inR
-
On end for plunder 'mid rain and thunderN
That burst with the lull of our cannonadeE
We vamped the streets in the stifling airS
Our hunger unsoothed our thirst unstayedE
And ransacked the buildings thereS
-
Down the stony steps of the house fronts whiteE
We rolled rich puncheons of Spanish grapeT
Till at length with the fire of the wine alightE
I saw at a doorway a fair fresh shapeT
A woman a sylph or spriteE
-
Afeard she fled and with heated headE
I pursued to the chamber she called her ownU
When might is right no qualms deterN
And having her helpless and aloneU
I wreaked my lust on herN
-
She raised her beseeching eyes to meI
And I heard the words of prayer she sentE
In her own soft language SeeminglyI
I copied those eyes for my punishmentE
In begetting the girl you seeI
-
So to day I stand with a God set brandE
Like Cain's when he wandered from kindred's kenV
I served through the war that made Europe freeI
I wived me in peace year But hid from menV
I bear that mark on meI
-
And I nightly stray on the Ivel WayE
As though at home there were spectres rifeC
I delight me not in my proud careerD
And 'tis coals of fire that a gracious wifeC
Should have brought me a daughter dearD

Thomas Hardy



Rate:
(1)



Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme

Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation


Write your comment about San Sebastian poem by Thomas Hardy


 

Recent Interactions*

This poem was read 6 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