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 ULVM| In 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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A Tale. June 1793 is a poem by William Cowper. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
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