The Return Of The Proconsul Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCCC DCEFC GHCIJ KLECM NCOCPQQCRC SAT| I ve decided to return to the emperor s court | A |
| once more I shall see if it s possible to live there | B |
| I could stay here in this remote province | C |
| under the full sweet leaves of sycamores | C |
| under the rule of sickly nepotists | C |
| - | |
| when I return I don t intend to commend myself | D |
| I shall applaud in measured portions | C |
| smile in ounces frown discreetly | E |
| for that they will not give me a golden chain | F |
| this iron one will suffice | C |
| - | |
| I ve decided to return tomorrow or the next day | G |
| I cannot live among vineyards nothing here is mine | H |
| trees have no roots houses no foundations the rain is glassy flowers smell of wax | C |
| a dry cloud rattles against the empty sky | I |
| so I shall return tomorrow the next day in any case I shall return | J |
| - | |
| I must come to terms with my face again | K |
| with my lower lip so it knows how to check scorn | L |
| with my eyes so they remain ideally empty | E |
| and with that miserable chin the hare of my face | C |
| which trembles when the chief of guards walks in | M |
| - | |
| of one thing I am sure I will not drink wine with him | N |
| when he brings his goblet nearer I will lower my eyes | C |
| and pretend I m picking bits of food from between my teeth | O |
| besides the emperor likes courage of convictions | C |
| to a certain extent to a certain reasonable extent | P |
| he is after all a man like everyone | Q |
| and already tired by all those tricks with poison | Q |
| he cannot drink his fill incessant chess | C |
| this left cup is for Drusus from the right one pretend to sip | R |
| then drink only water never lose sight of Tacitus | C |
| - | |
| take a walk in the garden and return when the corpse has been removed | S |
| I ve decided to return to the emperor s court | A |
| I really hope that things will work out somehow | T |
Zbigniew Herbert
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
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