On A Similar Occasion. For The Year 1788 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABB CC DEFE GHGH BIBI JKJK BLBL MNNN NNNN BOBO NPNP| Quod adest memento | A |
| Componere quus C tera fluminis | B |
| Ritu feruntur Horace | B |
| - | |
| - | |
| Improve the present hour for all beside | C |
| Is a mere feather on a torrent's tide | C |
| - | |
| - | |
| Could I from heaven inspired as sure presage | D |
| To whom the rising year shall prove his last | E |
| As I can number in my punctual page | F |
| And item down the victims of the past | E |
| - | |
| - | |
| How each would trembling wait the mournful sheet | G |
| On which the press might stamp him next to die | H |
| And reading here his sentence how replete | G |
| With anxious meaning heavenward turn his eye | H |
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| Time then would seem more precious than the joys | B |
| In which he sports away the treasure now | I |
| And prayer more seasonable than the noise | B |
| Of drunkards or the music drawing bow | I |
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| - | |
| Then doubtless many a trifler on the brink | J |
| Of this world's hazardous and headlong shore | K |
| Forced to a pause would feel it good to think | J |
| Told that his setting sun must rise no more | K |
| - | |
| - | |
| Ah self deceived Could I prophetic say | B |
| Who next is fated and who next to fall | L |
| The rest might then seem privileged to play | B |
| But naming none the Voice now speaks to all | L |
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| - | |
| Observe the dappled foresters how light | M |
| They bound and airy o'er the sunny glade | N |
| One falls the rest wide scatter'd with affright | N |
| Vanish at once into the darkest shade | N |
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| Had we their wisdom should we often warn'd | N |
| Still need repeated warnings and at last | N |
| A thousand awful admonitions scorn'd | N |
| Die self accused of life run all to waste | N |
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| Sad waste for which no after thrift atones | B |
| The grave admits no cure for guilt or sin | O |
| Dewdrops may deck the turf that hides the bones | B |
| But tears of godly grief ne'er flow within | O |
| - | |
| - | |
| Learn then ye living by the mouths be taught | N |
| Of all these sepulchres instructors true | P |
| That soon or late death also is your lot | N |
| And the next opening grave may yawn for you | P |
William Cowper
(1)
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