A Tale. June 1793 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CCCC DCDC CCCC ECFC CCCC GCGC CHCH ICIC CCCC JCJC HCHC KLKM CNCN COCO PAPA DCDC QRQR STST ULVMIn Scotland's realm where trees are few | A |
Nor even shrubs abound | B |
But where however bleak the view | A |
Some better things are found | B |
- | |
For husband there and wife may boast | C |
Their union undefiled | C |
And false ones are as rare almost | C |
As hedge rows in the wild | C |
- | |
In Scotland's realm forlorn and bare | D |
The history chanced of late | C |
This history of a wedded pair | D |
A chaffinch and his mate | C |
- | |
The spring drew near each felt a breast | C |
With genial instinct filled | C |
They paired and would have built a nest | C |
But found not where to build | C |
- | |
The heaths uncovered and the moors | E |
Except with snow and sleet | C |
Sea beaten rocks and naked shores | F |
Could yield them no retreat | C |
- | |
Long time a breeding place they sought | C |
Till both grew vexed and tired | C |
At length a ship arriving brought | C |
The good so long desired | C |
- | |
A ship could such a restless thing | G |
Afford them place of rest | C |
Or was the merchant charged to bring | G |
The homeless birds a nest | C |
- | |
Hush silent hearers profit most | C |
This racer of the sea | H |
Proved kinder to them than the coast | C |
It served them with a tree | H |
- | |
But such a tree 'twas shaven deal | I |
The tree they call a mast | C |
And had a hollow with a wheel | I |
Through which the tackle passed | C |
- | |
Within that cavity aloft | C |
Their roofless home they fixed | C |
Formed with materials neat and soft | C |
Bents wool and feathers mixed | C |
- | |
Four ivory eggs soon pave its floor | J |
With russet specks bedight | C |
The vessel weighs forsakes the shore | J |
And lessens to the sight | C |
- | |
The mother bird is gone to sea | H |
As she had changed her kind | C |
But goes the male Far wiser he | H |
Is doubtless left behind | C |
- | |
No soon as from ashore he saw | K |
The winged mansion move | L |
He flew to reach it by a law | K |
Of never failing love | M |
- | |
Then perching at his consort's side | C |
Was briskly borne along | N |
The billows and the blast defied | C |
And cheered her with a song | N |
- | |
The seaman with sincere delight | C |
His feathered shipmates eyes | O |
Scarce less exulting in the sight | C |
Than when he tows a prize | O |
- | |
For seamen much believe in signs | P |
And from a chance so new | A |
Each some approaching good divines | P |
And may his hope be true | A |
- | |
Hail honoured land a desert where | D |
Not even birds can hide | C |
Yet parent of this loving pair | D |
Whom nothing could divide | C |
- | |
And ye who rather than resign | Q |
Your matrimonial plan | R |
Were not afraid to plough the brine | Q |
In company with man | R |
- | |
For whose lean country much disdain | S |
We English often show | T |
Yet from a richer nothing gain | S |
But wantonness and woe | T |
- | |
Be it your fortune year by year | U |
The same resource to prove | L |
And may ye sometimes landing here | V |
Instruct us how to love | M |
William Cowper
(1)
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