The Moralizer Corrected. A Tale Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AABCDDEEFFDDGGDDDDHH DDHHHHIIJJFFDDHHHHDD DDKLDDHHMMDDDDDDDDA hermit or if chance you hold | A |
That title now too trite and old | A |
A man once young who lived retired | B |
As hermit could have well desired | C |
His hours of study closed at last | D |
And finish d his concise repast | D |
Stoppled his cruise replaced his book | E |
Within its customary nook | E |
And staff in hand set forth to share | F |
The sober cordial of sweet air | F |
Like Isaac with a mind applied | D |
To serious thought at evening tide | D |
Autumnal rains had made it chill | G |
And from the trees that fringed his hill | G |
Shades slanting at the close of day | D |
Chill d more his else delightful way | D |
Distant a little mile he spied | D |
A western bank s still sunny side | D |
And right toward the favour d place | H |
Proceeding with his nimblest pace | H |
In hope to bask a little yet | D |
Just reach d it when the sun was set | D |
Your hermit young and jovial sirs | H |
Learns something from whate er occurs | H |
And hence he said my mind computes | H |
The real worth of man s pursuits | H |
His object chosen wealth or fame | I |
Or other sublunary game | I |
Imagination to his view | J |
Presents it deck d with every hue | J |
That can seduce him not to spare | F |
His powers of best exertion there | F |
But youth health vigour to expend | D |
On so desirable an end | D |
Ere long approach life s evening shades | H |
The glow that fancy gave it fades | H |
And earn d too late it wants the grace | H |
That first engaged him in the chase | H |
True answer d an angelic guide | D |
Attendant at the senior s side | D |
But whether all the time it cost | D |
To urge the fruitless chase be lost | D |
Must be decided by the worth | K |
Of that which call d his ardour forth | L |
Trifles pursued whate er the event | D |
Must cause him shame or discontent | D |
A vicious object still is worse | H |
Successful there he wins a curse | H |
But he whom e en in life s last stage | M |
Endeavours laudable engage | M |
Is paid at least in peace of mind | D |
And sense of having well design d | D |
And if ere he attain his end | D |
His sun precipitate descend | D |
A brighter prize than that he meant | D |
Shall recompense his mere intent | D |
No virtuous wish can bear a date | D |
Either too early or too late | D |
William Cowper
(1)
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