On Receipt Of My Mother's Picture Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: AABBCDEEFF GHIIJJKKBB LLMMNNOCCPPQJRRSSTTU UVVWW RRCCCCJJXXCCCCYZCCA2 A2B2B2C2C2CCGH D2D2E2E2F2F2GHCCG2G2 H2I2 CCF2F2J2J2CCR CCCCCCD2D2BBK2K2D2D2 MMH2I2L2L2BBCC

Oh that those lips had language Life has pass'dA
With me but roughly since I heard thee lastA
Those lips are thine thy own sweet smiles I seeB
The same that oft in childhood solaced meB
Voice only fails else how distinct they sayC
'Grieve not my child chase all thy fears away 'D
The meek intelligence of those dear eyesE
Blest be the art that can immortalizeE
The art that baffles time's tyrannic claimF
To quench it here shines on me still the sameF
-
Faithful remembrancer of one so dearG
Oh welcome guest though unexpected hereH
Who bidd'st me honour with an artless songI
Affectionate a mother lost so longI
I will obey not willingly aloneJ
But gladly as the precept were her ownJ
And while that face renews my filial griefK
Fancy shall weave a charm for my reliefK
Shall steep me in Elysian reverieB
A momentary dream that thou art sheB
-
My mother when I learn'd that thou wast deadL
Say wast thou conscious of the tears I shedL
Hover'd thy spirit o'er thy sorrowing sonM
Wretch even then life's journey just begunM
Perhaps thou gav'st me though unseen a kissN
Perhaps a tear if souls can weep in blissN
Ah that maternal smile it answers YesO
I heard the bell toll'd on thy burial dayC
I saw the hearse that bore thee slow awayC
And turning from my nurs'ry window drewP
A long long sigh and wept a last adieuP
But was it such It was Where thou art goneQ
Adieus and farewells are a sound unknownJ
May I but meet thee on that peaceful shoreR
The parting sound shall pass my lips no moreR
Thy maidens griev'd themselves at my concernS
Oft gave me promise of a quick returnS
What ardently I wish'd I long believ'dT
And disappointed still was still deceiv'dT
By disappointment every day beguil'dU
Dupe of to morrow even from a childU
Thus many a sad to morrow came and wentV
Till all my stock of infant sorrow spentV
I learn'd at last submission to my lotW
But though I less deplor'd thee ne'er forgotW
-
Where once we dwelt our name is heard no moreR
Children not thine have trod my nurs'ry floorR
And where the gard'ner Robin day by dayC
Drew me to school along the public wayC
Delighted with my bauble coach and wraptC
In scarlet mantle warm and velvet captC
'Tis now become a history little knownJ
That once we call'd the past'ral house our ownJ
Short liv'd possession but the record fairX
That mem'ry keeps of all thy kindness thereX
Still outlives many a storm that has effac'dC
A thousand other themes less deeply trac'dC
Thy nightly visits to my chamber madeC
That thou might'st know me safe and warmly laidC
Thy morning bounties ere I left my homeY
The biscuit or confectionary plumZ
The fragrant waters on my cheeks bestow'dC
By thy own hand till fresh they shone and glow'dC
All this and more endearing still than allA2
Thy constant flow of love that knew no fallA2
Ne'er roughen'd by those cataracts and brakesB2
That humour interpos'd too often makesB2
All this still legible in mem'ry's pageC2
And still to be so to my latest ageC2
Adds joy to duty makes me glad to payC
Such honours to thee as my numbers mayC
Perhaps a frail memorial but sincereG
Not scorn'd in heav'n though little notic'd hereH
-
Could time his flight revers'd restore the hoursD2
When playing with thy vesture's tissued flow'rsD2
The violet the pink and jessamineE2
I prick'd them into paper with a pinE2
And thou wast happier than myself the whileF2
Would'st softly speak and stroke my head and smileF2
Could those few pleasant hours again appearG
Might one wish bring them would I wish them hereH
I would not trust my heart the dear delightC
Seems so to be desir'd perhaps I mightC
But no what here we call our life is suchG2
So little to be lov'd and thou so muchG2
That I should ill requite thee to constrainH2
Thy unbound spirit into bonds againI2
-
Thou as a gallant bark from Albion's coastC
The storms all weather'd and the ocean cross'dC
Shoots into port at some well haven'd isleF2
Where spices breathe and brighter seasons smileF2
There sits quiescent on the floods that showJ2
Her beauteous form reflected clear belowJ2
While airs impregnated with incense playC
Around her fanning light her streamers gayC
So thou with sails how swift hast reach'd the shoreR
'Where tempests never beat nor billows roar '-
And thy lov'd consort on the dang'rous tideC
Of life long since has anchor'd at thy sideC
But me scarce hoping to attain that restC
Always from port withheld always distress'dC
Me howling winds drive devious tempest toss'dC
Sails ript seams op'ning wide and compass lostC
And day by day some current's thwarting forceD2
Sets me more distant from a prosp'rous courseD2
But oh the thought that thou art safe and heB
That thought is joy arrive what may to meB
My boast is not that I deduce my birthK2
From loins enthron'd and rulers of the earthK2
But higher far my proud pretensions riseD2
The son of parents pass'd into the skiesD2
And now farewell time unrevok'd has runM
His wonted course yet what I wish'd is doneM
By contemplation's help not sought in vainH2
I seem t' have liv'd my childhood o'er againI2
To have renew'd the joys that once were mineL2
Without the sin of violating thineL2
And while the wings of fancy still are freeB
And I can view this mimic shew of theeB
Time has but half succeeded in his theftC
Thyself remov'd thy power to sooth me leftC

William Cowper



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