“Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms” by Thomas Moore
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy-gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art.
Let thy loveliness fade as it will.
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear,
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear;
No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,
But as truly loves on to the close,
As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turned when he rose.
Use the poem to answer the question.
Which of the following best describes the form of this poem?
A.
lyric
B.
elegy
C.
sonnet
D.
villanelle
E.
octave
A. Lyric.
The form of the poem "Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms" by Thomas Moore is best described as a lyric.
To determine the form of the poem "Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms," we can analyze its structure and characteristics.
The poem consists of three stanzas with varying line lengths. The first stanza has six lines, the second stanza has eight lines, and the third stanza has six lines. Each line has a consistent rhyme scheme, with end rhymes occurring at the end of each line.
Looking at the content of the poem, we can see that it expresses deep affection and enduring love. The speaker reassures the subject that their love is not solely tied to their youth and beauty but will continue even if those qualities fade. The theme of love and devotion is the central focus of the poem.
Considering the structure and theme, the form that best describes this poem is a lyric. A lyric poem is a short emotional piece that expresses personal thoughts and feelings. It often focuses on a single theme or idea, as is the case in this poem, where the theme of enduring love is emphasized. The consistent rhyme scheme and the use of vivid imagery also align with the characteristics of a lyric poem.
Therefore, the answer to the question is:
A. lyric