The Scansion of Christina Rossetti's “Goblin Market” (original) (raw)

[For instructions on how to use this database, see the author's explanation. Formatting and perspective correction by George P. Landow.]

Line

“Goblin Market”

Feet

Cluster

1

Morning and evening

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

2

Maids heard the goblins cry:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

3

“Come buy our orchard fruits,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

4

Come buy, come buy:

Trochee-trochee

7

5

Apples and quinces,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

6

Lemons and oranges,

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

7

Plump unpeck’d cherries,

Iamb (catalectic)-trochee-trochee

25

8

Melons and raspberries,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

9

Bloom-down-cheek’d peaches,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-trochee

36

10

Swart-headed mulberries,

Spondee-iamb-trochee

23

11

Wild free-born cranberries,

Spondee-iamb-trochee

23

12

Crab-apples, dewberries,

Spondee-iamb-trochee

23

13

Pine-apples, blackberries,

Spondee-iamb-trochee

23

14

Apricots, strawberries;—

Trochee-iamb-trochee

30

15

All ripe together

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

16

In summer weather,—

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

17

Morns that pass by,

Trochee-trochee

7

18

Fair eves that fly;

Trochee-trochee

7

19

Come buy, come buy:

Trochee-trochee

7

20

Our grapes fresh from the vine,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

21

Pomegranates full and fine,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

22

Dates and sharp bullaces,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

23

Rare pears and greengages,

Trochee-iamb-trochee

30

24

Damsons and bilberries,

Trochee-iamb-trochee

30

25

Taste them and try:

Trochee-iamb

6

26

Currants and gooseberries,

Trochee-iamb-trochee

30

27

Bright-fire-like barberries,

Spondee-iamb-trochee

23

28

Figs to fill your mouth,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

29

Citrons from the South,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

30

Sweet to tongue and sound to eye;

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

31

Come buy, come buy.”

Trochee-trochee

7

32

Evening by evening

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

33

Among the brookside rushes,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

34

Laura bow’d her head to hear,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

35

Lizzie veil’d her blushes:

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

36

Crouching close together

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

37

In the cooling weather,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

38

With clasping arms and cautioning lips,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

39

With tingling cheeks and finger tips.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

40

“Lie close,” Laura said,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

41

Pricking up her golden head:

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

42

“We must not look at goblin men,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

43

We must not buy their fruits:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

44

Who knows upon what soil they fed

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

45

Their hungry thirsty roots?”

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

46

“Come buy,” call the goblins

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

47

Hobbling down the glen.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

48

“Oh,” cried Lizzie, “Laura, Laura,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

49

You should not peep at goblin men.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

50

Lizzie cover’d up her eyes,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

51

Cover’d close lest they should look;

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

52

Laura rear’d her glossy head,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

53

And whisper’d like the restless brook:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

54

“Look, Lizzie, look, Lizzie,

Trochee (catalectic)-trochee-trochee (catalectic)-trochee

26

55

Down the glen tramp little men.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

56

One hauls a basket,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

57

One bears a plate,

Iamb-iamb

1

58

One lugs a golden dish

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

59

Of many pounds weight.

Iamb-iamb-trochee (catalectic)

17

60

How fair the vine must grow

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

61

Whose grapes are so luscious;

Iamb-iamb-trochee

20

62

How warm the wind must blow

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

63

Through those fruit bushes.”

Trochee-spondee

32

64

“No,” said Lizzie, “No, no, no;

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-spondee

38

65

Their offers should not charm us,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

66

Their evil gifts would harm us.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

67

She thrust a dimpled finger

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

68

In each ear, shut eyes and ran:

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

69

Curious Laura chose to linger

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

70

Wondering at each merchant man.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

71

One had a cat’s face,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

72

One whisk’d a tail,

Iamb-iamb

1

73

One tramp’d at a rat’s pace,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

74

One crawl’d like a snail,

Trochee-trochee-trochee (catalectic)

18

75

One like a wombat prowl’d obtuse and furry,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (hypersyllable)

15

76

One like a ratel tumbled hurry skurry.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (hypersyllable)

15

77

She heard a voice like voice of doves

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

78

Cooing all together:

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

79

They sounded kind and full of loves

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

80

In the pleasant weather.

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

81

Laura stretch’d her gleaming neck

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

82

Like a rush-imbedded swan,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

83

Like a lily from the beck,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

84

Like a moonlit poplar branch,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

85

Like a vessel at the launch

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

86

When its last restraint is gone.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

87

Backwards up the mossy glen

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

88

Turn’d and troop’d the goblin men,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

89

With their shrill repeated cry,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

90

“Come buy, come buy.”

Trochee-trochee

7

91

When they reach’d where Laura was

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

92

They stood stock still upon the moss,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

93

Leering at each other,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

94

Brother with queer brother;

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

95

Signalling each other,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

96

Brother with sly brother.

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

97

One set his basket down,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

98

One rear’d his plate;

Iamb-iamb

1

99

One began to weave a crown

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

100

Of tendrils, leaves, and rough nuts brown

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

101

(Men sell not such in any town);

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

102

One heav’d the golden weight

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

103

Of dish and fruit to offer her:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

104

“Come buy, come buy,” was still their cry.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

105

Laura stared but did not stir,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

106

Long’d but had no money:

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

107

The whisk-tail’d merchant bade her taste

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

108

In tones as smooth as honey,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

109

The cat-faced purr’d,

Iamb-iamb

1

110

The rat-faced spoke a word

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

111

Of welcome, and the snail-paced even was heard;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

112

One parrot-voiced and jolly

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

113

Cried “Pretty Goblin” still for “Pretty Polly;”—

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (hypersyllable)

15

114

One whistled like a bird.

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

115

But sweet-tooth Laura spoke in haste:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

116

“Good folk, I have no coin;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

117

To take were to purloin:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

118

I have no copper in my purse,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

119

I have no silver either,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

120

And all my gold is on the furze

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

121

That shakes in windy weather

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

122

Above the rusty heather.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

123

“You have much gold upon your head,”

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

124

They answer’d all together:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

125

“Buy from us with a golden curl.”

Trochee-trochee-iamb-iamb

37

126

She clipp’d a precious golden lock,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

127

She dropp’d a tear more rare than pearl,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

128

Then suck’d their fruit globes fair or red:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

129

Sweeter than honey from the rock,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

130

Stronger than man-rejoicing wine,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

131

Clearer than water flow’d that juice;

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

132

She never tasted such before,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

133

How should it cloy with length of use?

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

134

She suck’d and suck’d and suck’d the more

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

135

Fruits which that unknown orchard bore;

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

136

She suck’d until her lips were sore;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

137

Then flung the emptied rinds away

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

138

But gather’d up one kernel stone,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

139

And knew not was it night or day

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

140

As she turn’d home alone.

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

141

Lizzie met her at the gate

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

142

Full of wise upbraidings:

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

143

“Dear, you should not stay so late,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

144

Twilight is not good for maidens;

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

145

Should not loiter in the glen

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

146

In the haunts of goblin men.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

147

Do you not remember Jeanie,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

148

How she met them in the moonlight,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

149

Took their gifts both choice and many,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

150

Ate their fruits and wore their flowers

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

151

Pluck’d from bowers

Trochee-trochee

7

152

Where summer ripens at all hours?

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

153

But ever in the noonlight

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

154

She pined and pined away;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

155

Sought them by night and day,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

156

Found them no more, but dwindled and grew grey;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

157

Then fell with the first snow,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

158

While to this day no grass will grow

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

159

Where she lies low:

Iamb-iamb

1

160

I planted daisies there a year ago

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

161

That never blow.

Iamb-iamb

1

162

You should not loiter so.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

163

“Nay, hush,” said Laura:

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

164

“Nay, hush, my sister:

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

165

I ate and ate my fill,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

166

Yet my mouth waters still;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

167

To-morrow night I will

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

168

Buy more;” and kiss’d her:

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

169

“Have done with sorrow;

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

170

I’ll bring you plums to-morrow

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

171

Fresh on their mother twigs,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

172

Cherries worth getting;

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

173

You cannot think what figs

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

174

My teeth have met in,

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

175

What melons icy-cold

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

176

Piled on a dish of gold

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

177

Too huge for me to hold,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

178

What peaches with a velvet nap,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

179

Pellucid grapes without one seed:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

180

Odorous indeed must be the mead

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

181

Whereon they grow, and pure the wave they drink

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

182

With lilies at the brink,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

183

And sugar-sweet their sap.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

184

Golden head by golden head,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

185

Like two pigeons in one nest

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

186

Folded in each other’s wings,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

187

They lay down in their curtain’d bed:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

188

Like two blossoms on one stem,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

189

Like two flakes of new-fall’n snow,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

190

Like two wands of ivory

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

191

Tipp’d with gold for awful kings.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

192

Moon and stars gaz’d in at them,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

193

Wind sang to them lullaby,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

194

Lumbering owls forbore to fly,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

195

Not a bat flapp’d to and fro

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

196

Round their rest:

Trochee-trochee (catalectic)

34

197

Cheek to cheek and breast to breast

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

198

Lock’d together in one nest.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

199

Early in the morning

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

200

When the first cock crow’d his warning,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

201

Neat like bees, as sweet and busy,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

202

Laura rose with Lizzie:

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

203

Fetch’d in honey, milk’d the cows,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

204

Air’d and set to rights the house,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

205

Kneaded cakes of whitest wheat,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

206

Cakes for dainty mouths to eat,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

207

Next churn’d butter, whipp’d up cream,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

208

Fed their poultry, sat and sew’d;

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

209

Talk’d as modest maidens should:

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

210

Lizzie with an open heart,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

211

Laura in an absent dream,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

212

One content, one sick in part;

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

213

One warbling for the mere bright day’s delight,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

214

One longing for the night.

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

215

At length slow evening came:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

216

They went with pitchers to the reedy brook;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

217

Lizzie most placid in her look,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

218

Laura most like a leaping flame.

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

219

They drew the gurgling water from its deep;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

220

Lizzie pluck’d purple and rich golden flags,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

29

221

Then turning homeward said: “The sunset flushes

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

222

Those furthest loftiest crags;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

223

Come, Laura, not another maiden lags.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

224

No wilful squirrel wags,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

225

The beasts and birds are fast asleep.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

226

But Laura loiter’d still among the rushes

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

227

And said the bank was steep.

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

228

And said the hour was early still

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

229

The dew not fall’n, the wind not chill;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

230

Listening ever, but not catching

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

231

The customary cry,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

232

“Come buy, come buy,”

Trochee-trochee

7

233

With its iterated jingle

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

234

Of sugar-baited words:

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

235

Not for all her watching

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

236

Once discerning even one goblin

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

237

Racing, whisking, tumbling, hobbling;

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

238

Let alone the herds

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

239

That used to tramp along the glen,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

240

In groups or single,

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

241

Of brisk fruit-merchant men.

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

242

Till Lizzie urged, “O Laura, come;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

243

I hear the fruit-call but I dare not look:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

244

You should not loiter longer at this brook:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

245

Come with me home.

Iamb-iamb

1

246

The stars rise, the moon bends her arc,

Iamb-trochee-iamb-iamb

19

247

Each glowworm winks her spark,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

248

Let us get home before the night grows dark:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

249

For clouds may gather

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

250

Though this is summer weather,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

251

Put out the lights and drench us through;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

252

Then if we lost our way what should we do?”

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

253

Laura turn’d cold as stone

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

254

To find her sister heard that cry alone,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

255

That goblin cry,

Iamb-iamb

1

256

“Come buy our fruits, come buy.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

257

Must she then buy no more such dainty fruit?

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

258

Must she no more such succous pasture find,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

259

Gone deaf and blind?

Iamb-iamb

1

260

Her tree of life droop’d from the root:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

261

She said not one word in her heart’s sore ache;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

262

But peering thro’ the dimness, nought discerning,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (hypersyllable)

15

263

Trudg’d home, her pitcher dripping all the way;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

264

So crept to bed, and lay

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

265

Silent till Lizzie slept;

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

266

Then sat up in a passionate yearning,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (hypersyllable)

16

267

And gnash’d her teeth for baulk’d desire, and wept

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

268

As if her heart would break.

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

269

Day after day, night after night,

Trochee-iamb-trochee-iamb

31

270

Laura kept watch in vain

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

271

In sullen silence of exceeding pain.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

272

She never caught again the goblin cry:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

273

“Come buy, come buy;”—

Trochee-trochee

7

274

She never spied the goblin men

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

275

Hawking their fruits along the glen:

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

276

But when the noon wax’d bright

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

277

Her hair grew thin and grey;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

278

She dwindled, as the fair full moon doth turn

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

279

To swift decay and burn

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

280

Her fire away.

Iamb-iamb

1

281

One day remembering her kernel-stone

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

282

She set it by a wall that faced the south;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

283

Dew’d it with tears, hoped for a root,

Trochee-iamb-trochee-iamb

31

284

Watch’d for a waxing shoot,

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

285

But there came none;

Iamb-iamb

1

286

It never saw the sun,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

287

It never felt the trickling moisture run:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

288

While with sunk eyes and faded mouth

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

289

She dream’d of melons, as a traveller sees

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

290

False waves in desert drouth

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

291

With shade of leaf-crown’d trees,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

292

And burns the thirstier in the sandful breeze.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

293

She no more swept the house,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

294

Tended the fowls or cows,

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

295

Fetch’d honey, kneaded cakes of wheat,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

296

Brought water from the brook:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

297

But sat down listless in the chimney-nook

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

298

And would not eat.

Iamb-iamb

1

299

Tender Lizzie could not bear

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

300

To watch her sister’s cankerous care

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

301

Yet not to share.

Iamb-iamb

1

302

She night and morning

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

303

Caught the goblins’ cry:

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

304

“Come buy our orchard fruits,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

305

Come buy, come buy;”—

Trochee-trochee

7

306

Beside the brook, along the glen,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

307

She heard the tramp of goblin men,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

308

The yoke and stir

Iamb-iamb

1

309

Poor Laura could not hear;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

310

Long’d to buy fruit to comfort her,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

311

But fear’d to pay too dear.

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

312

She thought of Jeanie in her grave,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

313

Who should have been a bride;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

314

But who for joys brides hope to have

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

315

Fell sick and died

Iamb-iamb

1

316

In her gay prime,

Iamb-iamb

1

317

In earliest winter time

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

318

With the first glazing rime,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

319

With the first snow-fall of crisp winter time.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

320

Till Laura dwindling

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

321

Seem’d knocking at Death’s door:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

322

Then Lizzie weigh’d no more

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

323

Better and worse;

Trochee-iamb

6

324

But put a silver penny in her purse,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

325

Kiss’d Laura, cross’d the heath with clumps of furze

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

326

At twilight, halted by the brook:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

327

And for the first time in her life

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

328

Began to listen and look.

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

329

Laugh’d every goblin

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

330

When they spied her peeping:

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

331

Came towards her hobbling,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

332

Flying, running, leaping,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

333

Puffing and blowing,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

334

Chuckling, clapping, crowing,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

335

Clucking and gobbling,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

336

Mopping and mowing,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

337

Full of airs and graces,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

338

Pulling wry faces,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-trochee

36

339

Demure grimaces,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

340

Cat-like and rat-like,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

341

Ratel- and wombat-like,

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

342

Snail-paced in a hurry,

Spondee-trochee-trochee

24

343

Parrot-voiced and whistler,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

344

Helter skelter, hurry skurry,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

345

Chattering like magpies,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

346

Fluttering like pigeons,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

347

Gliding like fishes,—

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

348

Hugg’d her and kiss’d her:

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

349

Squeez’d and caress’d her:

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

350

Stretch’d up their dishes,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

351

Panniers, and plates:

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

352

“Look at our apples

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

353

Russet and dun,

Trochee-iamb

6

354

Bob at our cherries,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

355

Bite at our peaches,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

356

Citrons and dates,

Trochee-iamb

6

357

Grapes for the asking,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

358

Pears red with basking

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

359

Out in the sun,

Trochee-iamb

6

360

Plums on their twigs;

Trochee-iamb

6

361

Pluck them and suck them,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

362

Pomegranates, figs.”—

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

363

“Good folk,” said Lizzie,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

364

Mindful of Jeanie:

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

365

“Give me much and many: —

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

366

Held out her apron,

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

367

Toss’d them her penny.

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

368

“Nay, take a seat with us,

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

369

Honour and eat with us,”

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

370

They answer’d grinning:

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

371

“Our feast is but beginning.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

372

Night yet is early,

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

373

Warm and dew-pearly,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-trochee

36

374

Wakeful and starry:

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

375

Such fruits as these

Iamb-iamb

1

376

No man can carry:

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

377

Half their bloom would fly,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

378

Half their dew would dry,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

379

Half their flavour would pass by.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

380

Sit down and feast with us,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

381

Be welcome guest with us,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

382

Cheer you and rest with us.”—

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

383

“Thank you,” said Lizzie: “But one waits

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

384

At home alone for me:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

385

So without further parleying,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

386

If you will not sell me any

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

387

Of your fruits though much and many,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

388

Give me back my silver penny

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

389

I toss’d you for a fee.”—

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

390

They began to scratch their pates,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

391

No longer wagging, purring,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

392

But visibly demurring,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

393

Grunting and snarling.

Trochee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

11

394

One call’d her proud,

Iamb-iamb

1

395

Cross-grain’d, uncivil;

Spondee-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

22

396

Their tones wax’d loud,

Iamb-iamb

1

397

Their looks were evil.

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

398

Lashing their tails

Trochee-iamb

6

399

They trod and hustled her,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

400

Elbow’d and jostled her,

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

401

Claw’d with their nails,

Trochee-trochee

7

402

Barking, mewing, hissing, mocking,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

403

Tore her gown and soil’d her stocking,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

404

Twitch’d her hair out by the roots,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

405

Stamp’d upon her tender feet,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

406

Held her hands and squeez’d their fruits

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

407

Against her mouth to make her eat.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

408

White and golden Lizzie stood,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

409

Like a lily in a flood,—

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

410

Like a rock of blue-vein’d stone

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

411

Lash’d by tides obstreperously,—

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

412

Like a beacon left alone

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

413

In a hoary roaring sea,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

414

Sending up a golden fire,—

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

415

Like a fruit-crown’d orange-tree

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

416

White with blossoms honey-sweet

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

417

Sore beset by wasp and bee,—

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

418

Like a royal virgin town

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

419

Topp’d with gilded dome and spire

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

420

Close beleaguer’d by a fleet

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

421

Mad to tug her standard down.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

422

One may lead a horse to water,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

423

Twenty cannot make him drink.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

424

Though the goblins cuff’d and caught her,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

425

Coax’d and fought her,

Trochee-trochee

7

426

Bullied and besought her,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

427

Scratch’d her, pinch’d her black as ink,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

428

Kick’d and knock’d her,

Trochee-trochee

7

429

Maul’d and mock’d her,

Trochee-trochee

7

430

Lizzie utter’d not a word;

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

431

Would not open lip from lip

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

432

Lest they should cram a mouthful in:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

433

But laugh’d in heart to feel the drip

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

434

Of juice that syrupp’d all her face,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

435

And lodg’d in dimples of her chin,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

436

And streak’d her neck which quaked like curd.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

437

At last the evil people,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

438

Worn out by her resistance,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

439

Flung back her penny, kick’d their fruit

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

440

Along whichever road they took,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

441

Not leaving root or stone or shoot;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

442

Some writh’d into the ground,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

443

Some div’d into the brook

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

444

With ring and ripple,

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

445

Some scudded on the gale without a sound,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

446

Some vanish’d in the distance.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

447

In a smart, ache, tingle,

Trochee-spondee-trochee

33

448

Lizzie went her way;

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

449

Knew not was it night or day;

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

450

Sprang up the bank, tore thro’ the furze,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

451

Threaded copse and dingle,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

452

And heard her penny jingle

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

453

Bouncing in her purse,—

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb

39

454

Its bounce was music to her ear.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

455

She ran and ran

Iamb-iamb

1

456

As if she fear’d some goblin man

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

457

Dogg’d her with gibe or curse

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

458

Or something worse:

Iamb-iamb

1

459

But not one goblin scurried after,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

460

Nor was she prick’d by fear;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

461

The kind heart made her windy-paced

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

462

That urged her home quite out of breath with haste

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

463

And inward laughter.

Iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

13

464

She cried, “Laura,” up the garden,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

465

“Did you miss me?

Trochee-trochee

7

466

Come and kiss me.

Trochee-trochee

7

467

Never mind my bruises,

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

468

Hug me, kiss me, suck my juices

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

469

Squeez’d from goblin fruits for you,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

470

Goblin pulp and goblin dew.

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

471

Eat me, drink me, love me;

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

472

Laura, make much of me;

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

473

For your sake I have braved the glen

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

474

And had to do with goblin merchant men.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

475

Laura started from her chair,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

476

Flung her arms up in the air,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

477

Clutch’d her hair:

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb

35

478

“Lizzie, Lizzie, have you tasted

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

479

For my sake the fruit forbidden?

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

480

Must your light like mine be hidden,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

481

Your young life like mine be wasted,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

482

Undone in mine undoing,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

483

And ruin’d in my ruin,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

484

Thirsty, canker’d, goblin-ridden?”—

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

485

She clung about her sister,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

486

Kiss’d and kiss’d and kiss’d her:

Trochee-trochee-trochee

9

487

Tears once again

Trochee-trochee

7

488

Refresh’d her shrunken eyes,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

489

Dropping like rain

Trochee-trochee

7

490

After long sultry drouth;

Trochee-iamb-iamb

27

491

Shaking with aguish fear, and pain,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

492

She kiss’d and kiss’d her with a hungry mouth.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

493

Her lips began to scorch,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

494

That juice was wormwood to her tongue,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

495

She loath’d the feast:

Iamb-iamb

1

496

Writhing as one possess’d she leap’d and sung,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

29

497

Rent all her robe, and wrung

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

498

Her hands in lamentable haste,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

499

And beat her breast.

Iamb-iamb

1

500

Her locks stream’d like the torch

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

501

Borne by a racer at full speed,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

502

Or like the mane of horses in their flight,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

503

Or like an eagle when she stems the light

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

504

Straight toward the sun,

Trochee-trochee

7

505

Or like a caged thing freed,

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

506

Or like a flying flag when armies run.

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

507

Swift fire spread through her veins, knock’d at her heart,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

508

Met the fire smouldering there

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

509

And overbore its lesser flame;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

510

She gorged on bitterness without a name:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

511

Ah! fool, to choose such part

Spondee-iamb-iamb

21

512

Of soul-consuming care!

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

513

Sense fail’d in the mortal strife:

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

514

Like the watch-tower of a town

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

515

Which an earthquake shatters down,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

516

Like a lightning-stricken mast,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

517

Like a wind-uprooted tree

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

518

Spun about,

Trochee-trochee (catalectic)

34

519

Like a foam-topp’d waterspout

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

520

Cast down headlong in the sea,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

521

She fell at last;

Iamb-iamb

1

522

Pleasure past and anguish past,

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

523

Is it death or is it life?

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

524

Life out of death.

Trochee-iamb

6

525

That night long Lizzie watch’d by her,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

526

Counted her pulse’s flagging stir,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

527

Felt for her breath,

Trochee-trochee

7

528

Held water to her lips, and cool’d her face

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

529

With tears and fanning leaves:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

530

But when the first birds chirp’d about their eaves,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

531

And early reapers plodded to the place

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

532

Of golden sheaves,

Iamb-iamb

1

533

And dew-wet grass

Iamb-iamb

1

534

Bow’d in the morning winds so brisk to pass,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

535

And new buds with new day

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

536

Open’d of cup-like lilies on the stream,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

29

537

Laura awoke as from a dream,

Trochee-trochee-trochee-trochee

8

538

Laugh’d in the innocent old way,

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

539

Hugg’d Lizzie but not twice or thrice;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

540

Her gleaming locks show’d not one thread of grey,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

2

541

Her breath was sweet as May

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

542

And light danced in her eyes.

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

543

Days, weeks, months, years

Spondee-spondee

5

544

Afterwards, when both were wives

Iamb (catalectic)-iamb-iamb-iamb

10

545

With children of their own;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

546

Their mother-hearts beset with fears,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

547

Their lives bound up in tender lives;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

548

Laura would call the little ones

Trochee-iamb-iamb-iamb

28

549

And tell them of her early prime,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

550

Those pleasant days long gone

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

551

Of not-returning time:

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

552

Would talk about the haunted glen,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

553

The wicked, quaint fruit-merchant men,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

554

Their fruits like honey to the throat

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

555

But poison in the blood;

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4

556

(Men sell not such in any town):

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

557

Would tell them how her sister stood

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

558

In deadly peril to do her good,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

559

And win the fiery antidote:

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

560

Then joining hands to little hands

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

561

Would bid them cling together,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

562

“For there is no friend like a sister

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

14

563

In calm or stormy weather;

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb (catalectic)

12

564

To cheer one on the tedious way,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

565

To fetch one if one goes astray,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

566

To lift one if one totters down,

Iamb-iamb-iamb-iamb

3

567

To strengthen whilst one stands.”

Iamb-iamb-iamb

4