What rhyme scheme is used in this excerpt from the poem “to lucasta, going to the wars” by Richard Lovelace

Answer 1

This is an ABAB rhyme pattern. That means the first and third lines and the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme.

Tell me not (Sweet) I am unkind, 

         That from the nunnery 

Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind (rhymes with "unkind" in line 1)

         To war and arms I fly. (almost rhymes with "nunnery" in line 2 - this is actually a slant rhyme because the vowel doesn't match perfectly)

True, a new mistress now I chase, 

         The first foe in the field; 

And with a stronger faith embrace (rhymes with line 1)

         A sword, a horse, a shield. (rhymes with line 2)

Yet this inconstancy is such

         As you too shall adore; 

I could not love thee (Dear) so much, (rhymes with line 1)

         Lov’d I not Honour more. (rhymes with line 2)