Question

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

Answer 1

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")`: