On A Spaniel, Called Beau, Killing A Young Bird Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GBGB BHBH I CJCJ KLKL MNMN DODO PQPR BSBS TBTB| A spaniel Beau that fares like you | A |
| Well fed and at his ease | B |
| Should wiser be than to pursue | A |
| Each trifle that he sees | B |
| - | |
| But you have killed a tiny bird | C |
| Which flew not till to day | D |
| Against my orders whom you heard | C |
| Forbidding you the prey | D |
| - | |
| Nor did you kill that you might eat | E |
| And ease a doggish pain | F |
| For him though chased with furious heat | E |
| You left where he was slain | F |
| - | |
| Nor was he of the theivish sort | G |
| Or one whom blood allures | B |
| But innocent was all his sport | G |
| Whom you have torn for yours | B |
| - | |
| My dog what remedy remains | B |
| Since teach you all I can | H |
| I see you after all my pains | B |
| So much resemble man | H |
| - | |
| BEAU'S REPLY | I |
| - | |
| Sir when I flew to seize the bird | C |
| In spite of your command | J |
| A louder voice than yours I heard | C |
| And harder to withstand | J |
| - | |
| You cried forbear but in my breast | K |
| A mightier cried proceed | L |
| 'Twas nature sir whose strong behest | K |
| Impelled me to the deed | L |
| - | |
| Yet much as nature I respect | M |
| I ventured once to break | N |
| As you perhaps may recollect | M |
| Her precept for your sake | N |
| - | |
| And when your linnet on a day | D |
| Passing his prison door | O |
| Had fluttered all his strength away | D |
| And panting pressed the floor | O |
| - | |
| Well knowing him a sacred thing | P |
| Not destined to my tooth | Q |
| I only kissed his ruffled wing | P |
| And licked the feathers smooth | R |
| - | |
| Let my obedience then excuse | B |
| My disobedience now | S |
| Nor some reproof yourself refuse | B |
| From your aggrieved bow wow | S |
| - | |
| If killing birds be such a crime | T |
| Which I can hardly see | B |
| What think you sir of killing time | T |
| With verse addressed to me | B |
William Cowper
(1)
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