On The Death Of The Vice-chancellor, A Physician.[1] Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABB CCDD EFGH IIJJ KKLL MNOO PPQQ RRQQ SSTT RRUU VVWW XXRRLearn ye nations of the earth | A |
The condition of your birth | A |
Now be taught your feeble state | B |
Know that all must yield to Fate | B |
- | |
If the mournful Rover Death | C |
Say but once resign your breath | C |
Vainly of escape you dream | D |
You must pass the Stygian stream | D |
- | |
Could the stoutest overcome | E |
Death's assault and baffle Doom | F |
Hercules had both withstood | G |
Undiseas'd by Nessus' blood | H |
- | |
Ne'er had Hector press'd the plain | I |
By a trick of Pallas slain | I |
Nor the Chief to Jove allied | J |
By Achilles' phantom died | J |
- | |
Could enchantments life prolong | K |
Circe saved by magic song | K |
Still had liv'd and equal skill | L |
Had preserv'd Medea still | L |
- | |
Dwelt in herbs and drugs a pow'r | M |
To avert Man's destin'd hour | N |
Learn'd Machaon should have known | O |
Doubtless to avert his own | O |
- | |
Chiron had survived the smart | P |
Of the Hydra tainted dart | P |
And Jove's bolt had been with ease | Q |
Foil'd by Asclepiades | Q |
- | |
Thou too Sage of whom forlorn | R |
Helicon and Cirrha mourn | R |
Still had'st filled thy princely place | Q |
Regent of the gowned race | Q |
- | |
Had'st advanc'd to higher fame | S |
Still thy much ennobled name | S |
Nor in Charon's skiff explored | T |
The Tartarean gulph abhorr'd | T |
- | |
But resentful Proserpine | R |
Jealous of thy skill divine | R |
Snapping short thy vital thread | U |
Thee too number'd with the Dead | U |
- | |
Wise and good untroubled be | V |
The green turf that covers thee | V |
Thence in gay profusion grow | W |
All the sweetest flow'rs that blow | W |
- | |
Pluto's Consort bid thee rest | X |
Oeacus pronounce thee blest | X |
To her home thy shade consign | R |
Make Elysium ever thine | R |
William Cowper
(1)
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