Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow: O what is that sound which so thrills the ear Down in the valley drumming, drumming? Only the scarlet soldiers, dear, The soldiers coming. O what is that light I see flashing so clear Over the distance brightly, brightly? Only the sun on their weapons, dear, As they step lightly. O what are they doing with all that gear, What are they doing this morning, this morning? Only the usual manoeuvres, dear, Or perhaps a warning. O why have they left the road down there, Why are they suddenly wheeling, wheeling? Perhaps a change in the orders, dear, Why are you kneeling?
Identify the rhyme scheme of these lines.

Question

Accepted Answer

The rhyme scheme of the given extract is identified as Option 4: abab. Let's analyze the poem to understand why this is the correct choice.

1. **Explanation for Option 4 (abab):**
   - The rhyme scheme "abab" means that the first and third lines rhyme with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other.
   - In the first stanza:
     - "ear" (line 1) and "dear" (line 3) rhyme, forming the 'a' rhyme.
     - "drumming" (line 2) and "coming" (line 4) rhyme, forming the 'b' rhyme.
   - This pattern continues in the subsequent stanzas, maintaining the abab rhyme scheme throughout the extract.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**
   - **Option 1 (abcb):** This scheme suggests that the second and fourth lines rhyme, but the first and third lines do not. However, in the extract, the first and third lines do rhyme, making this option incorrect.
   - **Option 2 (abdc):** This scheme implies that the second and fourth lines do not rhyme, which is not the case in the extract. The second and fourth lines do rhyme, so this option is incorrect.
   - **Option 3 (baba):** This scheme suggests that the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other, and the first and third lines rhyme with each other, but in reverse order compared to abab. The extract follows the abab pattern, not baba, making this option incorrect.

In conclusion, the correct rhyme scheme for the extract is abab, as identified in Option 4. This pattern is consistently followed throughout the stanzas, justifying why Option 4 is the correct answer.