The Cuckoo And The Nightingale (from Chaucer) Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BCAAC A BBBBB A DEEDD A FFGGF A AAHHA A IIJJJ A KLHHK A MNFFN D OOAAO D BBPPB A FFQRF F FFAPF F STHHS A FFFFF A FFFFF A FFHRF A UUAAV A AAAAA F AAAAA F AAJJA F RJQJJ F FFAAF F JJQQJ A MMWWM A AAAAA A FFWWF A AAFFA A PPAAP F AAXXA F AAAAA F YZHHY F FFFFA F AAFFA A XXFFX A FFAAF A XXFFX A AAA2A2A A FFAAF F YYHHY A AAB2B2A A FFFFF A AAFFA A JJFFJ A FFAAF A AB2FFF A FFFFF F AAFFA F FFAAF F FFAAF A C2C2AAC2 F AAFFA F FFD2D2F F FFFFF F AAAAA F FFAAF F AAAAA F FFFFF F JJFFJ FFFFFFF FAFAAFF FFFFFFF F FFFFFF A

I	A
	-
The God of Love ah benedicite	B
How mighty and how great a Lord is he	C
For he of low hearts can make high of high	A
He can make low and unto death bring nigh	A
And hard hearts he can make them kind and free	C
	-
II	A
	-
Within a little time as hath been found	B
He can make sick folk whole and fresh and sound	B
Them who are whole in body and in mind	B
He can make sick bind can he and unbind	B
All that he will have bound or have unbound	B
	-
III	A
	-
To tell his might my wit may not suffice	D
Foolish men he can make them out of wise	E
For he may do all that he will devise	E
Loose livers he can make abate their vice	D
And proud hearts can make tremble in a trice	D
	-
IV	A
	-
In brief the whole of what he will he may	F
Against him dare not any wight say nay	F
To humble or afflict whome'er he will	G
To gladden or to grieve he hath like skill	G
But most his might he sheds on the eve of May	F
	-
V	A
	-
For every true heart gentle heart and free	A
That with him is or thinketh so to be	A
Now against May shall have some stirring whether	H
To joy or be it to some mourning never	H
At other time methinks in like degree	A
	-
VI	A
	-
For now when they may hear the small birds' song	I
And see the budding leaves the branches throng	I
This unto their remembrance doth bring	J
All kinds of pleasure mixed with sorrowing	J
And longing of sweet thoughts that ever long	J
	-
VII	A
	-
And of that longing heaviness doth come	K
Whence oft great sickness grows of heart and home	L
Sick are they all for lack of their desire	H
And thus in May their hearts are set on fire	H
So that they burn forth in great martyrdom	K
	-
VIII	A
	-
In sooth I speak from feeling what though now	M
Old am I and to genial pleasure slow	N
Yet have I felt of sickness through the May	F
Both hot and cold and heart aches every day	F
How hard alas to bear I only know	N
	-
IX	D
	-
Such shaking doth the fever in me keep	O
Through all this May that I have little sleep	O
And also 'tis not likely unto me	A
That any living heart should sleepy be	A
In which Love's dart its fiery point doth steep	O
	-
X	D
	-
But tossing lately on a sleepless bed	B
I of a token thought which Lovers heed	B
How among them it was a common tale	P
That it was good to hear the Nightingale	P
Ere the vile Cuckoo's note be uttered	B
	-
XI	A
	-
And then I thought anon as it was day	F
I gladly would go somewhere to essay	F
If I perchance a Nightingale might hear	Q
For yet had I heard none of all that year	R
And it was then the third night of the May	F
	-
XII	F
	-
And soon as I a glimpse of day espied	F
No longer would I in my bed abide	F
But straightway to a wood that was hard by	A
Forth did I go alone and fearlessly	P
And held the pathway down by a brookside	F
	-
XIII	F
	-
Till to a lawn I came all white and green	S
I in so fair a one had never been	T
The ground was green with daisy powdered over	H
Tall were the flowers the grove a lofty cover	H
All green and white and nothing else was seen	S
	-
XIV	A
	-
There sate I down among the fair fresh flowers	F
And saw the birds come tripping from their bowers	F
Where they had rested them all night and they	F
Who were so joyful at the light of day	F
Began to honour May with all their powers	F
	-
XV	A
	-
Well did they know that service all by rote	F
And there was many and many a lovely note	F
Some singing loud as if they had complained	F
Some with their notes another manner feigned	F
And some did sing all out with the full throat	F
	-
XVI	A
	-
They pruned themselves and made themselves right gay	F
Dancing and leaping light upon the spray	F
And ever two and two together were	H
The same as they had chosen for the year	R
Upon Saint Valentine's returning day	F
	-
XVII	A
	-
Meanwhile the stream whose bank I sate upon	U
Was making such a noise as it ran on	U
Accordant to the sweet Birds' harmony	A
Methought that it was the best melody	A
Which ever to man's ear a passage won	V
	-
XVIII	A
	-
And for delight but how I never wot	A
I in a slumber and a swoon was caught	A
Not all asleep and yet not waking wholly	A
And as I lay the Cuckoo bird unholy	A
Broke silence or I heard him in my thought	A
	-
XIX	F
	-
And that was right upon a tree fast by	A
And who was then ill satisfied but I	A
Now God quoth I that died upon the rood	A
From thee and thy base throat keep all that's good	A
Full little joy have I now of thy cry	A
	-
XX	F
	-
And as I with the Cuckoo thus 'gan chide	A
In the next bush that was me fast beside	A
I heard the lusty Nightingale so sing	J
That her clear voice made a loud rioting	J
Echoing thorough all the green wood wide	A
	-
XXI	F
	-
Ah good sweet Nightingale for my heart's cheer	R
Hence hast thou stayed a little while too long	J
For we have had the sorry Cuckoo here	Q
And she hath been before thee with her song	J
Evil light on her she hath done me wrong	J
	-
XXII	F
	-
But hear you now a wondrous thing I pray	F
As long as in that swooning fit I lay	F
Methought I wist right well what these birds meant	A
And had good knowing both of their intent	A
And of their speech and all that they would say	F
	-
XXIII	F
	-
The Nightingale thus in my hearing spake	J
Good Cuckoo seek some other bush or brake	J
And prithee let us that can sing dwell here	Q
For every wight eschews thy song to hear	Q
Such uncouth singing verily dost thou make	J
	-
XXIV	A
	-
What quoth she then what is't that ails thee now	M
It seems to me I sing as well as thou	M
For mine's a song that is both true and plain	W
Although I cannot quaver so in vain	W
As thou dost in thy throat I wot not how	M
	-
XXV	A
	-
All men may understanding have of me	A
But Nightingale so may they not of thee	A
For thou hast many a foolish and quaint cry	A
Thou say'st OSEE OSEE then how may I	A
Have knowledge I thee pray what this may be	A
	-
XXVI	A
	-
Ah fool quoth she wist thou not what it is	F
Oft as I say OSEE OSEE I wis	F
Then mean I that I should be wonderous fain	W
That shamefully they one and all were slain	W
Whoever against Love mean aught amiss	F
	-
XXVII	A
	-
And also would I that they all were dead	A
Who do not think in love their life to lead	A
For who is loth the God of Love to obey	F
Is only fit to die I dare well say	F
And for that cause OSEE I cry take heed	A
	-
XXVIII	A
	-
Ay quoth the Cuckoo that is a quaint law	P
That all must love or die but I withdraw	P
And take my leave of all such company	A
For mine intent it neither is to die	A
Nor ever while I live Love's yoke to draw	P
	-
XXIX	F
	-
For lovers of all folk that be alive	A
The most disquiet have and least do thrive	A
Most feeling have of sorrow woe and care	X
And the least welfare cometh to their share	X
What need is there against the truth to strive	A
	-
XXX	F
	-
What quoth she thou art all out of thy mind	A
That in thy churlishness a cause canst find	A
To speak of Love's true Servants in this mood	A
For in this world no service is so good	A
To every wight that gentle is of kind	A
	-
XXXI	F
	-
For thereof comes all goodness and all worth	Y
All gentiless and honour thence come forth	Z
Thence worship comes content and true heart's pleasure	H
And full assured trust joy without measure	H
And jollity fresh cheerfulness and mirth	Y
	-
XXXII	F
	-
And bounty lowliness and courtesy	F
And seemliness and faithful company	F
And dread of shame that will not do amiss	F
For he that faithfully Love's servant is	F
Rather than be disgraced would chuse to die	A
	-
XXXIII	F
	-
And that the very truth it is which I	A
Now say in such belief I'll live and die	A
And Cuckoo do thou so by my advice	F
Then quoth she let me never hope for bliss	F
If with that counsel I do e'er comply	A
	-
XXXIV	A
	-
Good Nightingale thou speakest wondrous fair	X
Yet for all that the truth is found elsewhere	X
For Love in young folk is but rage I wis	F
And Love in old folk a great dotage is	F
Who most it useth him 'twill most impair	X
	-
XXXV	A
	-
For thereof come all contraries to gladness	F
Thence sickness comes and overwhelming sadness	F
Mistrust and jealousy despite debate	A
Dishonour shame envy importunate	A
Pride anger mischief poverty and madness	F
	-
XXXVI	A
	-
Loving is aye an office of despair	X
And one thing is therein which is not fair	X
For whoso gets of love a little bliss	F
Unless it alway stay with him I wis	F
He may full soon go with an old man's hair	X
	-
XXXVII	A
	-
And therefore Nightingale do thou keep nigh	A
For trust me well in spite of thy quaint cry	A
If long time from thy mate thou be or far	A2
Thou'lt be as others that forsaken are	A2
Then shalt thou raise a clamour as do I	A
	-
XXXVIII	A
	-
Fie quoth she on thy name Bird ill beseen	F
The God of Love afflict thee with all teen	F
For thou art worse than mad a thousand fold	A
For many a one hath virtues manifold	A
Who had been nought if Love had never been	F
	-
XXXIX	F
	-
For evermore his servants Love amendeth	Y
And he from every blemish them defendeth	Y
And maketh them to burn as in a fire	H
In loyalty and worshipful desire	H
And when it likes him joy enough them sendeth	Y
	-
XL	A
	-
Thou Nightingale the Cuckoo said be still	A
For Love no reason hath but his own will	A
For to th' untrue he oft gives ease and joy	B2
True lovers doth so bitterly annoy	B2
He lets them perish through that grievous ill	A
	-
XLI	A
	-
With such a master would I never be	F
For he in sooth is blind and may not see	F
And knows not when he hurts and when he heals	F
Within this court full seldom Truth avails	F
So diverse in his wilfulness is he	F
	-
XLII	A
	-
Then of the Nightingale did I take note	A
How from her inmost heart a sigh she brought	A
And said Alas that ever I was born	F
Not one word have I now I am so forlorn	F
And with that word she into tears burst out	A
	-
XLIII	A
	-
Alas alas my very heart will break	J
Quoth she to hear this churlish bird thus speak	J
Of Love and of his holy services	F
Now God of Love thou help me in some wise	F
That vengeance on this Cuckoo I may wreak	J
	-
XLIV	A
	-
And so methought I started up anon	F
And to the brook I ran and got a stone	F
Which at the Cuckoo hardily I cast	A
And he for dread did fly away full fast	A
And glad in sooth was I when he was gone	F
	-
XLV	A
	-
And as he flew the Cuckoo ever and aye	A
Kept crying Farewell farewell Popinjay	B2
As if in scornful mockery of me	F
And on I hunted him from tree to tree	F
Till he was far all out of sight away	F
	-
XLVI	A
	-
Then straightway came the Nightingale to me	F
And said Forsooth my friend do I thank thee	F
That thou wert near to rescue me and now	F
Unto the God of Love I make a vow	F
That all this May I will thy songstress be	F
	-
XLVII	F
	-
Well satisfied I thanked her and she said	A
By this mishap no longer be dismayed	A
Though thou the Cuckoo heard ere thou heard'st me	F
Yet if I live it shall amended be	F
When next May comes if I am not afraid	A
	-
XLVIII	F
	-
And one thing will I counsel thee also	F
The Cuckoo trust not thou nor his Love's saw	F
All that she said is an outrageous lie	A
Nay nothing shall me bring thereto quoth I	A
For Love and it hath done me mighty woe	F
	-
XLIX	F
	-
Yea hath it use quoth she this medicine	F
This May time every day before thou dine	F
Go look on the fresh daisy then say I	A
Although for pain thou may'st be like to die	A
Thou wilt be eased and less wilt droop and pine	F
	-
L	A
	-
And mind always that thou be good and true	C2
And I will sing one song of many new	C2
For love of thee as loud as I may cry	A
And then did she begin this song full high	A
Beshrew all them that are in love untrue	C2
	-
LI	F
	-
And soon as she had sung it to the end	A
Now farewell quoth she for I hence must wend	A
And God of Love that can right well and may	F
Send unto thee as mickle joy this day	F
As ever he to Lover yet did send	A
	-
LII	F
	-
Thus takes the Nightingale her leave of me	F
I pray to God with her always to be	F
And joy of love to send her evermore	D2
And shield us from the Cuckoo and her lore	D2
For there is not so false a bird as she	F
	-
LIII	F
	-
Forth then she flew the gentle Nightingale	F
To all the Birds that lodged within that dale	F
And gathered each and all into one place	F
And them besought to hear her doleful case	F
And thus it was that she began her tale	F
	-
LIV	F
	-
The Cuckoo 'tis not well that I should hide	A
How she and I did each the other chide	A
And without ceasing since it was daylight	A
And now I pray you all to do me right	A
Of that false Bird whom Love can not abide	A
	-
LV	F
	-
Then spake one Bird and full assent all gave	F
This matter asketh counsel good as grave	F
For birds we are all here together brought	A
And in good sooth the Cuckoo here is not	A
And therefore we a Parliament will have	F
	-
LVI	F
	-
And thereat shall the Eagle be our Lord	A
And other Peers whose names are on record	A
A summons to the Cuckoo shall be sent	A
And judgment there be given or that intent	A
Failing we finally shall make accord	A
	-
LVII	F
	-
And all this shall be done without a nay	F
The morrow after Saint Valentine's day	F
Under a maple that is well beseen	F
Before the chamber window of the Queen	F
At Woodstock on the meadow green and gay	F
	-
LVIII	F
	-
She thanked them and then her leave she took	J
And flew into a hawthorn by that brook	J
And there she sate and sung upon that tree	F
For term of life Love shall have hold of me	F
So loudly that I with that song awoke	J
	-
Unlearned Book and rude as well I know	F
For beauty thou hast none nor eloquence	F
Who did on thee the hardiness bestow	F
To appear before my Lady but a sense	F
Thou surely hast of her benevolence	F
Whereof her hourly bearing proof doth give	F
For of all good she is the best alive	F
	-
Alas poor Book for thy unworthiness	F
To show to her some pleasant meanings writ	A
In winning words since through her gentiless	F
Thee she accepts as for her service fit	A
Oh it repents me I have neither wit	A
Nor leisure unto thee more worth to give	F
For of all good she is the best alive	F
	-
Beseech her meekly with all lowliness	F
Though I be far from her I reverence	F
To think upon my truth and stedfastness	F
And to abridge my sorrow's violence	F
Caused by the wish as knows your sapience	F
She of her liking proof to me would give	F
For of all good she is the best alive	F
	-
L'ENVOY	F
	-
Pleasure's Aurora Day of gladsomeness	F
Luna by night with heavenly influence	F
Illumined root of beauty and goodnesse	F
Write and allay by your beneficence	F
My sighs breathed forth in silence comfort give	F
Since of all good you are the best alive	F
	-
EXPLICIT	A

William Wordsworth

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