What is the rhyme scheme for "If" by Rudyard Kipling?

1 Answer
Alan P.
Jul 15, 2016

Rhyme scheme: a-b-a-b-c-d-c-d

Explanation:

The first verse might be confusing since the first four lines all rhyme,
but examining the second verse (for example)

If you can dream—and not make dreams your #color(red)("master")#;
#color(white)("XX")#If you can think—and not make thoughts your #color(blue)("aim")#;
If you can meet with Triumph and #color(red)(" Disaster")#
#color(white)("XX")#And treat those two impostors just the #color(blue)("same")#;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve #color(green)("spoken")#
#color(white)("XX")#Twisted by knaves to make a trap for #color(brown)("fools")#,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, #color(green)("broken")#,
#color(white)("XX")#And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out #color(brown)("tools")#:

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