Question

complete the rhyme scheme.
under a spreading chestnut - tree
the village smithy stands;
the smith, a mighty man is he,
with large and sinewy hands,
and the muscles of his brawny arms
are strong as iron bands.
from henry w. longfellow, \the village blacksmith\

Explanation:

Rhyme schemes are labeled by assigning the same letter to lines that end with rhyming sounds, starting with "A" for the first line.

1. Line 1 ends with "tree" – assign "A".
2. Line 2 ends with "stands" – new rhyme sound, assign "B".
3. Line 3 ends with "he" – rhymes with "tree" (line 1), assign "A".
4. Line 4 ends with "hands" – rhymes with "stands" (line 2), assign "B".
5. Line 5 ends with "arms" – new rhyme sound, assign "C".
6. Line 6 ends with "bands" – rhymes with "arms" (line 5), assign "C".

Answer:

1. Under a spreading chestnut-tree: A
2. The village smithy stands;: B
3. The smith, a mighty man is he,: A
4. With large and sinewy hands,: B
5. And the muscles of his brawny arms: C
6. Are strong as iron bands.: C