The French Revolution (excerpt) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIFJKLMNONPQR STUVUWXYZA2B2C2D2QPE 2IT| Thee the ancientest peer Duke of Burgundy rose from the monarch's right hand red as wines | A |
| From his mountains an odor of war like a ripe vineyard rose from his garments | B |
| And the chamber became as a clouded sky o'er the council he stretch'd his red limbs | C |
| Cloth'd in flames of crimson as a ripe vineyard stretches over sheaves of corn | D |
| The fierce Duke hung over the council around him crowd weeping in his burning robe | E |
| A bright cloud of infant souls his words fall like purple autumn on the sheaves | F |
| 'Shall this marble built heaven become a clay cottage this earth an oak stool and these mowers | G |
| From the Atlantic mountains mow down all this great starry harvest of six thousand years | H |
| And shall Necker the hind of Geneva stretch out his crook'd sickle o'er fertile France | I |
| Till our purple and crimson is faded to russet and the kingdoms of earth bound in sheaves | F |
| And the ancient forests of chivalry hewn and the joys of the combat burnt for fuel | J |
| Till the power and dominion is rent from the pole sword and sceptre from sun and moon | K |
| The law and gospel from fire and air and eternal reason and science | L |
| From the deep and the solid and man lay his faded head down on the rock | M |
| Of eternity where the eternal lion and eagle remain to devour | N |
| This to prevent urg'd by cries in day and prophetic dreams hovering in night | O |
| To enrich the lean earth that craves furrow'd with plows whose seed is departing from her | N |
| Thy nobles have gather'd thy starry hosts round this rebellious city | P |
| To rouze up the ancient forests of Europe with clarions of cloud breathing war | Q |
| To hear the horse neigh to the drum and trumpet and the trumpet and war shout reply | R |
| Stretch the hand that beckons the eagles of heaven they cry over Paris and wait | S |
| Till Fayette point his finger to Versailles the eagles of heaven must have their prey ' | T |
| He ceas'd and burn'd silent red clouds roll round Necker a weeping is heard o'er the palace | U |
| Like a dark cloud Necker paus'd and like thunder on the just man's burial day he paus'd | V |
| Silent sit the winds silent the meadows while the husbandman and woman of weakness | U |
| And bright children look after him into the grave and water his clay with love | W |
| Then turn towards pensive fields so Necker paus'd and his visage was covered with clouds | X |
| The King lean'd on his mountains then lifted his head and look'd on his armies that shone | Y |
| Through heaven tinging morning with beams of blood then turning to Burgundy troubled | Z |
| 'Burgundy thou wast born a lion My soul is o'ergrown with distress | A2 |
| For the nobles of France and dark mists roll round me and blot the writing of God | B2 |
| Written in my bosom Necker rise leave the kingdom thy life is surrounded with snares | C2 |
| We have call'd an Assembly but not to destroy we have given gifts not to the weak | D2 |
| I hear rushing of muskets and bright'ning of swords and visages redd'ning with war | Q |
| Frowning and looking up from brooding villages and every dark'ning city | P |
| Ancient wonders frown over the kingdom and cries of women and babes are heard | E2 |
| And tempests of doubt roll around me and fierce sorrows because of the nobles of France | I |
| Depart answer not for the tempest must fall as in years that are passed away ' | T |
William Blake
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
Write your comment about The French Revolution (excerpt) poem by William Blake
Best Poems of William Blake