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Comparing the Fragments/Stanzas
So if Franklin is right, "The other lines on H 157 ... must then be either alternate lines or a conclusion to the whole poem. The former was most likely the poet's intention" (E46), what do these two stanzas have in common? what are their differences? Are they, as Franklin suggested, interchangeable?
The two stanzas
[NOTE: I've removed two linebreaks, one in each poem.] |
| First Fragment/Stanza
'Twould start them -
We - could tremble -
But since we got a Bomb -
And held it in our Bosom
Nay - Hold it - it is calm - |
Second Fragment/Stanza
Therefore - we do life's labor -
Though life's Reward - be done -
With scrupulous exactness -
To hold our Senses - on -
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Scan
3 syllables
4 syllables
6 syllables, iambic
7 syllables, iambic with trailing syllable
6 syllables, iambic |
7 syllables, iambic with trailing syllable
6 syllables, iambic
7 syllables, iambic with trailing syllable
6 syllables, iambic |
| Conclusion: if first and second lines of first stanza are considered as one metrical line, then |
7 syllables, iambic with trailing syllable
6 syllables, iambic
7 syllables, with trailing syllable
6 syllables, iambic |
7 syllables, iambic with trailing syllable
6 syllables, iambic
7 syllables, iambic with trailing syllable
6 syllables, iambic |
Sounds
'Twould start them -
We - could tremble -
But since we got a Bomb -
And held it in our Bosom
Nay - Hold it - it is calm -
4 b's: tremble, But, Bomb, Bosom
'Twould start them -
We - could tremble -
But since we got a Bomb -
And held it in our Bosom
Nay - Hold it - it is calm - |
Therefore - we do life's labor -
Though life's Reward - be done -
With scrupulous exactness -
To hold our Senses - on -
Long vowels
Therefore - we do life's labor -
Though life's Reward - be done -
With scrupulous exactness -
To hold our Senses - on - |
Meaning
Point of similarity:
"Nay - hold it - it is calm -"
"To hold our senses - on -"
The "Bomb" brings calm whereas "scrupulous exactness" must still be exercised.
Conclusion
The poems are too dissimilar in content to be interchangeable or sequential (as in the Franklin quote at the top of this page). We're left with each of the two stanzas being a part of two different poems. The question now is, "Which two poems?"
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