The Nithsdale Widow And Her Son Poem Rhyme Scheme

Recent Interactions*

This poem was read 8 times,

This poem was added to the favorite list by 0 members,

This poem was voted by 0 members.

(* Interactions only in the last 7 days)

New Poems

Wonderful Women
by Umaru Kanneh Boima
Freedom To Scratch In Peace
by Olute Aete
Happy New Year
by Felix Menda
Human Beings
by Dana Graslie
Lust
by Wisdom Greatness
An Isolated Tree's Song
by Sayeed Abubakar
A Strange Boy
by Sayeed Abubakar
O Soil
by Sayeed Abubakar
No War, No War-monger
by Sayeed Abubakar
Night's Town
by Sayeed Abubakar

Popular Poets

1. Emily Dickinson(2414 poems)
2. Madison Julius Cawein(1231 poems)
3. Ella Wheeler Wilcox(1136 poems)
4. William Wordsworth(1016 poems)
5. Robert Burns(986 poems)
6. Edgar Albert Guest(945 poems)
7. Thomas Moore(849 poems)
8. Robert Service(831 poems)

'Twas in the year of on a fine summer afternoon	A
When trees and flowers were in full bloom	B
That widow Riddel sat knitting stockings on a little rustic seat	C
Which her only son had made for her which was very neat	C
	-
The cottage she lived in was in the wilds of Nithsdale	D
Where many a poor soul had cause to bewail	D
The loss of their shealings that were burned to the ground	E
By a party of fierce British dragoons that chanced to come round	E
	-
While widow Riddel sat in her garden she heard an unusual sound	E
And near by was her son putting some seeds into the ground	E
And as she happened to look down into the little strath below	D
She espied a party of dragoons coming towards her very slow	D
	-
And hearing of the cruelties committed by them she shook with fear	F
And she cried to her son Jamie thae sodgers are coming here	G
While the poor old widow's heart with fear was panting	H
And she cried Mercy on us Jamie what can they be wanting	H
	-
Next minute the dragoons were in front of the cottage door	I
When one of them dismounted and loudly did roar	I
Is there any rebels old woman skulking hereabouts	J
Oh no Sir no believe my word without any doubts	J
	-
Well so much the better my good woman for you and them	K
But old girl let's have something to eat me and my men	L
Blithely sir blithely ye're welcome to what I hae	M
When she bustled into the cottage without delay	D
	-
And she brought out oaten cakes sweet milk and cheese	N
Which the soldiers devoured greedily at their ease	N
And of which they made a hearty meal	D
But for such kind treatment ungrateful they did feel	D
	-
Then one of the soldiers asked her how she got her living	H
She replied God unto her was always giving	H
And wi' the bit garden alang wi' the bit coo	O
And wi' what the laddie can earn we are sincerely thankfu'	P
	-
To this pitiful detail of her circumstances the villain made no reply	D
But drew a pistol from his holster and cried Your cow must die	D
Then riding up to the poor cow discharged it through her head	Q
When the innocent animal instantly fell down dead	Q
	-
Not satisfied with this the merciless ruffian leaped the little garden wall	D
And with his horse trod down everything the poor widow's all	D
Then having finished this barbarous act of direst cruelty	R
The monster rejoined his comrades shouting right merrily	R
	-
There you old devil that's what you really deserve	P
For you and your rascally rebels ought to starve	P
Then the party rode off laughing at the mischief that was done	S
Leaving the poor widow to mourn and her only son	S
	-
When the widow found herself deprived of her all	D
She wrung her hands in despair and on God did call	D
Then rushed into the cottage and flung herself on her bed	Q
And with sorrow in a few days she was dead	Q
	-
And during her illness her poor boy never left her bedside	T
There he remained night and day his mother's wants to provide	T
And make her forget the misfortunes that had befallen them	K
All through that villainous and hard hearted party of men	L
	-
On the fourth day her son followed her remains to the grave	P
And during the burial service he most manfully did behave	P
And when the body was laid in the grave from tears he could not refrain	U
But instantly fled from that desolated place and never returned again	L
	-
Thirteen years after this the famous battle of Minden was fought	V
By Prince Ferdinand against the French who brought them to nought	V
And there was a large body of British horse under Lord George Sackville	D
And strange the widow's son was at the battle all the while	D
	-
And on the evening after the battle there were assembled in a tavern	W
A party of British dragoons loudly boasting and swearing	H
When one of them swore he had done more than any of them	K
A much more meritorious action which he defied them to condemn	K
	-
What was that Tam what was that Tam shouted his companions at once	X
Tell us Tam tell us Tam was that while in France	Y
No he cried it was starving an old witch while in Nithsdale	D
By shooting her cow and riding down her greens that is the tale	D
	-
And don't you repent it exclaimed a young soldier present	V
Repent what cried the braggart No I feel quite content	V
Then villain cried the youth unsheathing his sword	V
That woman was my mother so not another word	V
	-
So draw and defend yourself without more delay	D
For I swear you shall not live another day	D
Then the villain sprang to his feet and a combat ensued	V
But in three passes he was entirely subdued	V
	-
Young Riddell afterwards rose to be a captain	S
In the British service and gained a very good name	Z
For being a daring soldier wherever he went	V
And as for killing the ruffian dragoon he never did repent	V

William Topaz Mcgonagall

The Nithsdale Widow And Her Son Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Write your comment about The Nithsdale Widow And Her Son poem by William Topaz Mcgonagall

Recent Interactions*

New Poems

Popular Poets