Nero-s Incendiary Song Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABC DDCC EECBC CCCC CCCC CCEE CCCC FFGG HHII BBHH JJKK LL M CCNN LLOO| Aweary unto death my friends a mood by wise abhorred | A |
| Come to the novel feast I spread thrice consul Nero lord | A |
| The Caesar master of the world and eke of harmony | B |
| Who plays the harp of many strings a chief of minstrelsy | C |
| - | |
| My joyful call should instantly bring all who love me most | D |
| For ne'er were seen such arch delights from Greek or Roman host | D |
| Nor at the free control less jousts where spite of cynic vaunts | C |
| Austere but lenient Seneca no 'Ercles' bumper daunts | C |
| - | |
| Nor where upon the Tiber floats Aglae in galley gay | E |
| 'Neath Asian tent of brilliant stripes in gorgeous array | E |
| Nor when to lutes and tambourines the wealthy prefect flings | C |
| A score of slaves their fetters wreathed to feed grim greedy | B |
| things | C |
| - | |
| I vow to show ye Rome aflame the whole town in a mass | C |
| Upon this tower we'll take our stand to watch the 'wildered pass | C |
| How paltry fights of men and beasts here be my combatants | C |
| The Seven Hills my circus form and fiends shall lead the dance | C |
| - | |
| This is more meet for him who rules to drive away his stress | C |
| He being god should lightnings hurl and make a wilderness | C |
| But haste for night is darkling soon the festival it brings | C |
| Already see the hydra show its tongues and sombre wings | C |
| - | |
| And mark upon a shrinking prey the rush of kindling breaths | C |
| They tap and sap the threatened walls and bear uncounted deaths | C |
| And 'neath caresses scorching hot the palaces decay | E |
| Oh that I too could thus caress and burn and blight and slay | E |
| - | |
| Hark to the hubbub scent the fumes Are those real men or ghosts | C |
| The stillness spreads of Death abroad down come the temple posts | C |
| Their molten bronze is coursing fast and joins with silver waves | C |
| To leap with hiss of thousand snakes where Tiber writhes and raves | C |
| - | |
| All's lost in jasper marble gold the statues totter crash | F |
| Spite of the names divine engraved they are but dust and ash | F |
| The victor scourge sweeps swollen on whilst north winds sound the horn | G |
| To goad the flies of fire yet beyond the flight forlorn | G |
| - | |
| Proud capital farewell for e'er these flames nought can subdue | H |
| The Aqueduct of Sylla gleams a bridge o'er hellish brew | H |
| 'Tis Nero's whim how good to see Rome brought the lowest down | I |
| Yet Queen of all the earth give thanks for such a splendrous crown | I |
| - | |
| When I was young the Sybils pledged eternal rule to thee | B |
| That Time himself would lay his bones before thy unbent knee | B |
| Ha ha how brief indeed the space ere this 'immortal star' | H |
| Shall be consumed in its own glow and vanished oh how far | H |
| - | |
| How lovely conflagrations look when night is utter dark | J |
| The youth who fired Ephesus' fane falls low beneath my mark | J |
| The pangs of people when I sport what matters See them whirl | K |
| About as salamanders frisk and in the brazier curl | K |
| - | |
| Take from my brow this poor rose crown the flames have made it pine | L |
| If blood rains on your festive gowns wash off with Cretan wine | L |
| I like not overmuch that red good taste says 'gild a crime ' | - |
| 'To stifle shrieks by drinking songs' is thanks a hint sublime | M |
| - | |
| I punish Rome I am avenged did she not offer prayers | C |
| Erst unto Jove late unto Christ to e'en a Jew she dares | C |
| Now in thy terror own my right to rule above them all | N |
| Alone I rest except this pile I leave no single hall | N |
| - | |
| Yet I destroy to build anew and Rome shall fairer shine | L |
| But out my guards and slay the dolts who thought me not divine | L |
| The stiffnecks haste annihilate make ruin all complete | O |
| And slaves bring in fresh roses what odor is more sweet | O |
Victor Marie Hugo
(1)
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