A Fact, And An Imagination, Or, Canute And Alfred, On The Seashore Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABBAABBACDECDEFFFBCC GBFHHIJJIKLLKKLLKMNO MNM| The Danish Conqueror on his royal chair | A |
| Mustering a face of haughty sovereignty | B |
| To aid a covert purpose cried O ye | B |
| Approaching Waters of the deep that share | A |
| With this green isle my fortunes come not where | A |
| Your Master's throne is set Deaf was the Sea | B |
| Her waves rolled on respecting his decree | B |
| Less than they heed a breath of wanton air | A |
| Then Canute rising from the invaded throne | C |
| Said to his servile Courtiers Poor the reach | D |
| The undisguised extent of mortal sway | E |
| He only is a King and he alone | C |
| Deserves the name this truth the billows preach | D |
| Whose everlasting laws sea earth and heaven obey | E |
| This just reproof the prosperous Dane | F |
| Drew from the influx of the main | F |
| For some whose rugged northern mouths would strain | F |
| At oriental flattery | B |
| And Canute fact more worthy to be known | C |
| From that time forth did for his brows disown | C |
| The ostentatious symbol of a crown | G |
| Esteeming earthly royalty | B |
| Contemptible as vain | F |
| Now hear what one of elder days | H |
| Rich theme of England's fondest praise | H |
| Her darling Alfred 'might' have spoken | I |
| To cheer the remnant of his host | J |
| When he was driven from coast to coast | J |
| Distressed and harassed but with mind unbroken | I |
| My faithful followers lo the tide is spent | K |
| That rose and steadily advanced to fill | L |
| The shores and channels working Nature's will | L |
| Among the mazy streams that backward went | K |
| And in the sluggish pools where ships are pent | K |
| And now his task performed the flood stands still | L |
| At the green base of many an inland hill | L |
| In placid beauty and sublime content | K |
| Such the repose that sage and hero find | M |
| Such measured rest the sedulous and good | N |
| Of humbler name whose souls do like the flood | O |
| Of Ocean press right on or gently wind | M |
| Neither to be diverted nor withstood | N |
| Until they reach the bounds by Heaven assigned | M |
William Wordsworth
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