The Morning Dream. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCD EFGFHIHI JKJLMNMO PQRQBFBF STSSSSSS USUSIVIV| 'Twas in the glad season of spring | A |
| Asleep at the dawn of the day | B |
| I dream'd what I cannot but sing | A |
| So pleasant it seem'd as I lay | B |
| I dream'd that on ocean afloat | C |
| Far hence to the westward I sail'd | D |
| While the billows high lifted the boat | C |
| And the fresh blowing breeze never fail'd | D |
| - | |
| - | |
| In the steerage a woman I saw | E |
| Such at least was the form that she wore | F |
| Whose beauty impress'd me with awe | G |
| Ne'er taught me by woman before | F |
| She sat and a shield at her side | H |
| Shed light like a sun on the waves | I |
| And smiling divinely she cried | H |
| I go to make freemen of slaves | I |
| - | |
| - | |
| Then raising her voice to a strain | J |
| The sweetest that ear ever heard | K |
| She sung of the slave's broken chain | J |
| Wherever her glory appear'd | L |
| Some clouds which had over us hung | M |
| Fled chased by her melody clear | N |
| And methought while she liberty sung | M |
| 'Twas liberty only to hear | O |
| - | |
| - | |
| Thus swiftly dividing the flood | P |
| To a slave cultured island we came | Q |
| Where a demon her enemy stood | R |
| Oppression his terrible name | Q |
| In his hand as the sign of his sway | B |
| A scourge hung with lashes he bore | F |
| And stood looking out for his prey | B |
| From Africa's sorrowful shore | F |
| - | |
| - | |
| But soon as approaching the land | S |
| That goddess like woman he view'd | T |
| The scourge he let fall from his hand | S |
| With blood of his subjects imbrued | S |
| I saw him both sicken and die | S |
| And the moment the monster expired | S |
| Heard shouts that ascended the sky | S |
| From thousands with rapture inspired | S |
| - | |
| - | |
| Awaking how could I but muse | U |
| At what such a dream should betide | S |
| But soon my ear caught the glad news | U |
| Which served my weak thought for a guide | S |
| That Britannia renown'd o'er the waves | I |
| For the hatred she ever has shown | V |
| To the black sceptred rulers of slaves | I |
| Resolves to have none of her own | V |
William Cowper
(1)
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