Analysis of Although no stupid scoffer

Alfred Austin 1835 (Leeds) – 1913 (Ashford)



Although no stupid scoffer, I
Am wholly at a loss
To apprehend the reason why
You kiss Lorenzo's Cross.

For though indeed a hundred days'
Indulgence thus you win,
There does not move a lip but says
That you did never sin.

Ha! but I did not read the whole.
I see it now; the gain
May be applied to any soul
In purgatorial pain.

And oh, how many spirits lie
In such sad bondage through
Having too often passed it by
Whilst gazing after you!

They longed, instead, your lips to kiss;
Their wish, though vain, was clear;
They fondly thought they would by this
Make sure of heaven here.

Indulgence each your lip acquires,
On them it doth bestow;
And you who lighted here their fires,
Do quench their flames below.

And so you soothe-'tis only fair-
The souls you lately vexed.
'Tis lucky you have grace to spare
For this world and-the next.


Scheme ABAB XCXC DEDE AFAF GXGX HIHI JKJK
Poetic Form Quatrain  (86%)
Metre 111011 110101 1010101 110101 11010101 010111 11110111 111101 11111101 111101 11011101 011 01110101 011101 10110111 110101 11011111 111111 11011111 111101 010111010 111101 011101110 111101 01111101 011101 11011111 111001
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 814
Words 158
Sentences 11
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4
Lines Amount 28
Letters per line (avg) 23
Words per line (avg) 6
Letters per stanza (avg) 93
Words per stanza (avg) 22
Font size:
 

Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 05, 2023

48 sec read
80

Alfred Austin

Alfred Austin DL was an English poet who was appointed Poet Laureate in 1896 upon the death of Alfred, Lord Tennyson. more…

All Alfred Austin poems | Alfred Austin Books

1 fan

Discuss this Alfred Austin poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Although no stupid scoffer" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 6 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/669/although-no-stupid-scoffer>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    May 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    25
    days
    11
    hours
    7
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    What is the term for the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza.
    A A turn
    B Enjambment
    C Line break
    D Dithyramb