The School-mistress. In Imitation Of Spenser (excerpt) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDCDDEDFF GHIHHJHJJ FKFKKLKLL MJMJJNJNN OPOPPJPJJ KJKJJJJJJ JQJQQRQRR STSTTJTJJ UVUVWMWMM JHJHHJHJJ

Audit aelig voces vagitus et ingens Infantunque anim aelig flentes in limine primo Virg ADVERTISEMENTA
What particulars in Spenser were imagined most proper for the author's imitationon this occasion are his language his simplicity his manner of description and a peculiar tenderness of sentiment remarkable throughout his worksB
Ah me full sorely is my heart forlornC
To think how modest worth neglected liesD
While partial fame doth with her blasts adornC
Such deeds alone as pride and pomp disguiseD
Deeds of ill sort and mischievous emprizeD
Lend me thy clarion goddess let me tryE
To sound the praise of merit ere it diesD
Such as I oft have chaunced to espyF
Lost in the dreary shades of dull obscurityF
-
In ev'ry village mark'd with little spireG
Embow'r'd in trees and hardly known to fameH
There dwells in lowly shed and mean attireI
A matron old whom we school mistress nameH
Who boasts unruly brats with birch to tameH
They grieven sore in piteous durance pentJ
Aw'd by the pow'r of this relentless dameH
And oft times on vagaries idly bentJ
For unkempt hair or task unconn'd are sorely shentJ
-
And all in sight doth rise a birchen treeF
Which learning near her little dome did stoweK
Whilom a twig of small regard to seeF
Tho' now so wide its waving branches flowK
And work the simple vassals mickle woeK
For not a wind might curl the leaves that blewL
But their limbs shudder'd and their pulse beat lowK
And as they look'd they found their horror grewL
And shap'd it into rods and tingled at the viewL
-
So have I seen who has not may conceiveM
A lifeless phantom near a garden plac'dJ
So doth it wanton birds of peace bereaveM
Of sport of song of pleasure of repastJ
They start they stare they wheel they look aghastJ
Sad servitude such comfortless annoyN
May no bold Briton's riper age e'er tasteJ
Ne superstition clog his dance of joyN
Ne vision empty vain his native bliss destroyN
-
Near to this dome is found a patch so greenO
On which the tribe their gambols do displayP
And at the door impris'ning board is seenO
Lest weakly wights of smaller size should strayP
Eager perdie to bask in sunny dayP
The noises intermix'd which thence resoundJ
Do learning's little tenement betrayP
Where sits the dame disguis'd in look profoundJ
And eyes her fairy throng and turns her wheel aroundJ
-
Her cap far whiter than the driven snowK
Emblem right meet of decency does yieldJ
Her apron dy'd in grain as blue I troweK
As is the hare bell that adorns the fieldJ
And in her hand for scepter she does wieldJ
Tway birchen sprays with anxious fear entwin'dJ
With dark distrust and sad repentance fill'dJ
And stedfast hate and sharp affliction join'dJ
And fury uncontroul'd and chastisement unkindJ
-
Few but have kenn'd in semblance meet pourtray'dJ
The childish faces of old Eol's trainQ
Libs Notus Auster these in frowns array'dJ
How then would fare or earth or sky or mainQ
Were the stern god to give his slaves the reinQ
And were not she rebellious breasts to quellR
And were not she her statutes to maintainQ
The cott no more I ween were deem'd the cellR
Where comely peace of mind and decent order dwellR
-
A russet stole was o'er her shoulders thrownS
A russet kirtle fenc'd the nipping airT
'Twas simple russet but it was her ownS
'Twas her own country bred the flock so fairT
'Twas her own labour did the fleece prepareT
And sooth to say her pupils rang'd aroundJ
Thro' pious awe did term it passing rareT
For they in gaping wonderment aboundJ
And think no doubt she been the greatest wight on groundJ
-
Albeit ne flatt'ry did corrupt her truthU
Ne pompous title did debauch her earV
Goody good woman gossip n'aunt forsoothU
Or dame the sole additions she did hearV
Yet these she challeng'd these she held right dearW
Ne would esteem him act as mought behoveM
Who should not honour'd eld with these revereW
For never title yet so mean could proveM
But there was eke a mind which did that title loveM
-
One ancient hen she took delight to feedJ
The plodding pattern of the busy dameH
Which ever and anon impell'd by needJ
Into her school begirt with chickens cameH
Such favour did her past deportment claimH
And if neglect had lavish'd on the groundJ
Fragment of bread she would collect the sameH
For well she knew and quaintly could expoundJ
What sin it were to waste the smallest crumb she foundJ
-

William Shenstone



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