An Epistle To Joseph Hill, Esq. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBBCDEEFFGGHHIIJJK KFFFFFFFFLMFFNNFFOOF FPPIIQQFFRRFFSTFFFFA AUUDear Joseph five and twenty years ago | A |
Alas how time escapes 'tis even so | A |
With frequent intercourse and always sweet | B |
And always friendly we were wont to cheat | B |
A tedious hour and now we never meet | B |
As some grave gentleman in Terence says | C |
'Twas therefore much the same in ancient days | D |
Good lack we know not what to morrow brings | E |
Strange fluctuation of all human things | E |
True Changes will befall and friends may part | F |
But distance only cannot change the heart | F |
And were I called to prove the assertion true | G |
One proof should serve a reference to you | G |
Whence comes it then that in the wane of life | H |
Though nothing have occurred to kindle strife | H |
We find the friends we fancied we had won | I |
Though numerous once reduced to few or none | I |
Can gold grow worthless that has stood the touch | J |
No Gold they seemed but they were never such | J |
Horatio's servant once with bow and cringe | K |
Swinging the parlour door upon its hinge | K |
Dreading a negative and overawed | F |
Lest he should trespass begged to go abroad | F |
Go fellow whither turning short about | F |
Nay Stay at home you're always going out | F |
'Tis but a step sir just at the street's end | F |
For what An please you sir to see a friend | F |
A friend Horatio cried and seemed to start | F |
Yea marry shalt thou and with all my heart | F |
And fetch my cloak for though the night be raw | L |
I'll see him too the first I ever saw | M |
I knew the man and knew his nature mild | F |
And was his plaything often when a child | F |
But somewhat at that moment pinched him close | N |
Else he was seldom bitter or morose | N |
Perhaps his confidence just then betrayed | F |
His grief might prompt him with the speech he made | F |
Perhaps 'twas mere good humour gave it birth | O |
The harmless play of pleasantry and mirth | O |
Howe'er it was his language in my mind | F |
Bespoke at least a man that knew mankind | F |
But not to moralise too much and strain | P |
To prove an evil of which all complain | P |
I hate long arguments verbosely spun | I |
One story more dear Hill and I have done | I |
Once on a time an Emperor a wise man | Q |
No matter where in China or Japan | Q |
Decreed that whosoever should offend | F |
Against the well known duties of a friend | F |
Convicted once should ever after wear | R |
But half a coat and show his bosom bare | R |
The punishment importing this no doubt | F |
That all was naught within and all found out | F |
Oh happy Britain we have not to fear | S |
Such hard and arbitrary measures here | T |
Else could a law like that which I relate | F |
Once have the sanction of our triple state | F |
Some few that I have known in days of old | F |
Would run most dreadful risk of catching cold | F |
While you my friend whatever mind should blow | A |
Might traverse England safely to and fro | A |
An honest man close buttoned to the chin | U |
Broad cloth without and a warm heart within | U |
William Cowper
(1)
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