Annie Protheroe. A Legend Of Stratford-le-bow Poem Rhyme Scheme

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OH listen to the tale of little ANNIE PROTHEROE	A
She kept a small post office in the neighbourhood of BOW	B
She loved a skilled mechanic who was famous in his day	C
A gentle executioner whose name was GILBERT CLAY	C
	-
I think I hear you say A dreadful subject for your rhymes	D
O reader do not shrink he didn't live in modern times	D
He lived so long ago the sketch will show it at a glance	E
That all his actions glitter with the lime light of Romance	E
	-
In busy times he laboured at his gentle craft all day	C
No doubt you mean his Cal craft you amusingly will say	C
But no he didn't operate with common bits of string	F
He was a Public Headsman which is quite another thing	F
	-
And when his work was over they would ramble o'er the lea	G
And sit beneath the frondage of an elderberry tree	G
And ANNIE'S simple prattle entertained him on his walk	H
For public executions formed the subject of her talk	H
	-
And sometimes he'd explain to her which charmed her very much	I
How famous operators vary very much in touch	I
And then perhaps he'd show how he himself performed the trick	J
And illustrate his meaning with a poppy and a stick	J
	-
Or if it rained the little maid would stop at home and look	K
At his favourable notices all pasted in a book	K
And then her cheek would flush her swimming eyes would dance with	L
joy	M
In a glow of admiration at the prowess of her boy	M
	-
One summer eve at supper time the gentle GILBERT said	N
As he helped his pretty ANNIE to a slice of collared head	N
This reminds me I must settle on the next ensuing day	C
The hash of that unmitigated villain PETER GRAY	C
	-
He saw his ANNIE tremble and he saw his ANNIE start	O
Her changing colour trumpeted the flutter at her heart	O
Young GILBERT'S manly bosom rose and sank with jealous fear	A
And he said O gentle ANNIE what's the meaning of this here	A
	-
And ANNIE answered blushing in an interesting way	C
You think no doubt I'm sighing for that felon PETER GRAY	C
That I was his young woman is unquestionably true	A
But not since I began a keeping company with you	A
	-
Then GILBERT who was irritable rose and loudly swore	A
He'd know the reason why if she refused to tell him more	A
And she answered all the woman in her flashing from her eyes	P
You mustn't ask no questions and you won't be told no lies	P
	-
Few lovers have the privilege enjoyed my dear by you	A
Of chopping off a rival's head and quartering him too	A
Of vengeance dear to morrow you will surely take your fill	Q
And GILBERT ground his molars as he answered her I will	Q
	-
Young GILBERT rose from table with a stern determined look	K
And frowning took an inexpensive hatchet from its hook	K
And ANNIE watched his movements with an interested air	A
For the morrow for the morrow he was going to prepare	A
	-
He chipped it with a hammer and he chopped it with a bill	Q
He poured sulphuric acid on the edge of it until	Q
This terrible Avenger of the Majesty of Law	R
Was far less like a hatchet than a dissipated saw	R
	-
And ANNIE said O GILBERT dear I do not understand	S
Why ever you are injuring that hatchet in your hand '	-
He said It is intended for to lacerate and flay	C
The neck of that unmitigated villain PETER GRAY	C
	-
Now GILBERT ANNIE answered wicked headsman just beware	A
I won't have PETER tortured with that horrible affair	A
If you appear with that you may depend you'll rue the day	C
But GILBERT said Oh shall I which was just his nasty way	C
	-
He saw a look of anger from her eyes distinctly dart	O
For ANNIE was a woman and had pity in her heart	O
She wished him a good evening he answered with a glare	A
She only said Remember for your ANNIE will be there	A
	-
	-
	-
The morrow GILBERT boldly on the scaffold took his stand	S
With a vizor on his face and with a hatchet in his hand	S
And all the people noticed that the Engine of the Law	R
Was far less like a hatchet than a dissipated saw	R
	-
The felon very coolly loosed his collar and his stock	T
And placed his wicked head upon the handy little block	T
The hatchet was uplifted for to settle PETER GRAY	C
When GILBERT plainly heard a woman's voice exclaiming Stay	C
	-
'Twas ANNIE gentle ANNIE as you'll easily believe	U
O GILBERT you must spare him for I bring him a reprieve	U
It came from our Home Secretary many weeks ago	V
And passed through that post office which I used to keep at Bow	B
	-
I loved you loved you madly and you know it GILBERT CLAY	C
And as I'd quite surrendered all idea of PETER GRAY	C
I quietly suppressed it as you'll clearly understand	S
For I thought it might be awkward if he came and claimed my hand	S
	-
In anger at my secret which I could not tell before	A
To lacerate poor PETER GRAY vindictively you swore	A
I told you if you used that blunted axe you'd rue the day	C
And so you will young GILBERT for I'll marry PETER GRAY	C
	-
AND SO SHE DID	W

William Schwenck Gilbert

Annie Protheroe. A Legend Of Stratford-le-bow Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

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