An Epistle To Joseph Hill, Esq. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABBBCDEEFFGGHHIIJJK KFFFFFFFFLMFFNNFFOOF FPPIIQQFFRRFFSTFFFFA AUU| Dear 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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About An Epistle To Joseph Hill, Esq.
An Epistle To Joseph Hill, Esq. is a poem by William Cowper. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
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