Gloucester Moors Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCDCCD EFEFGHGGH IJIJKLLLL MNMOPQPPQ PRPRLPLLP STSTUMUUM VWXWMMMMM PFPFYBYYB MAMAZA2ZZA2 MMMMB2MPPB2B2PA mile behind is Gloucester town | A |
Where the fishing fleets put in | B |
A mile ahead the land dips down | A |
And the woods and farms begin | B |
Here where the moors stretch free | C |
In the high blue afternoon | D |
Are the marching sun and talking sea | C |
And the racing winds that wheel and flee | C |
On the flying heels of June | D |
- | |
Jill o'er the ground is purple blue | E |
Blue is the quaker maid | F |
The wild geranium holds its dew | E |
Long in the boulder's shade | F |
Wax red hangs the cup | G |
From the huckleberry boughs | H |
In barberry bells the grey moths sup | G |
Or where the choke cherry lifts high up | G |
Sweet bowls for their carouse | H |
- | |
Over the shelf of the sandy cove | I |
Beach peas blossom late | J |
By copse and cliff the swallows rove | I |
Each calling to his mate | J |
Seaward the sea gulls go | K |
And the land birds all are here | L |
That green gold flash was a vireo | L |
And yonder flame where the marsh flags grow | L |
Was a scarlet tanager | L |
- | |
This earth is not the steadfast place | M |
We landsmen build upon | N |
From deep to deep she varies pace | M |
And while she comes is gone | O |
Beneath my feet I feel | P |
Her smooth bulk heave and dip | Q |
With velvet plunge and soft upreel | P |
She swings and steadies to her keel | P |
Like a gallant gallant ship | Q |
- | |
These summer clouds she sets for sail | P |
The sun is her masthead light | R |
She tows the moon like a pinnace frail | P |
Where her phosphor wake churns bright | R |
Now hid now looming clear | L |
On the face of the dangerous blue | P |
The star fleets tack and wheel and veer | L |
But on but on does the old earth steer | L |
As if her port she knew | P |
- | |
God dear God Does she know her port | S |
Though she goes so far about | T |
Or blind astray does she make her sport | S |
To brazen and chance it out | T |
I watched when her captains passed | U |
She were better captainless | M |
Men in the cabin before the mast | U |
But some were reckless and some aghast | U |
And some sat gorged at mess | M |
- | |
By her battened hatch I leaned and caught | V |
Sounds from the noisome hold | W |
Cursing and sighing of souls distraught | X |
And cries too sad to be told | W |
Then I strove to go down and see | M |
But they said Thou art not of us | M |
I turned to those on the deck with me | M |
And cried Give help But they said Let be | M |
Our ship sails faster thus | M |
- | |
Jill o'er the ground is purple blue | P |
Blue is the quaker maid | F |
The alder clump where the brook comes through | P |
Breeds cresses in its shade | F |
To be out of the moiling street | Y |
With its swelter and its sin | B |
Who has given to me this sweet | Y |
And given my brother dust to eat | Y |
And when will his wage come in | B |
- | |
Scattering wide or blown in ranks | M |
Yellow and white and brown | A |
Boats and boats from the fishing banks | M |
Come home to Gloucester town | A |
There is cash to purse and spend | Z |
There are wives to be embraced | A2 |
Hearts to borrow and hearts to lend | Z |
And hearts to take and keep to the end | Z |
O little sails make haste | A2 |
- | |
But thou vast outbound ship of souls | M |
What harbor town for thee | M |
What shapes when thy arriving tolls | M |
Shall crowd the banks to see | M |
Shall all the happy shipmates then | B2 |
Stand singing brotherly | M |
Or shall a haggard ruthless few | P |
Warp her over and bring her to | P |
While the many broken souls of men | B2 |
Fester down in the slaver's pen | B2 |
And nothing to say or do | P |
William Vaughn Moody
(1)
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