Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

They reach the gate of Bregenz,
Just as the midnight rings,
And out come serf and soldier
To meet the news she brings.

21

Bregenz is saved! Ere daylight
Her battlements are manned;
Defiance greets the army

That marches on the land.
And if to deeds heroic

Should endless fame be paid, Bregenz does well to honor

The noble Tyrol maid.

22

Three hundred years are vanished,

And yet upon the hill
An old stone gateway rises,

To do her honor still.

And there, when Bregenz women
Sit spinning in the shade,
They see in quaint old carving
The Charger and the Maid.

23

And when, to guard old Bregenz,
By gateway, street, and tower,
The warder paces all night long
And calls each passing hour;
"Nine," "ten," "eleven," he cries aloud,
And then (O crown of Fame!)

When midnight pauses in the skies,

He calls the maiden's name!

HELPS TO STUDY

Notes and Questions

Find the Tyrol on your map of Europe.

What mountains surround Lake

Constance?

Where is the town of Bregenz? Read the lines which tell you that the town is very old. Why did the Tyrol maid leave her home?

How was she treated in her new home?

Read the lines which tell you that

she became contented in the Swiss valley.

Read the lines which tell that she

did not forget her native land. What were the "accents of her

childhood''?

Why would the "accents of her childhood" rise to her lips when she knelt to pray?

"sacred legend"

How did she learn that an attack on Bregenz was planned? What did she resolve to do? Why was there need of haste? What river flowed between the Swiss valley and Bregenz? How did the maid cross it? What did the people of Bregenz do when they heard the news which she brought?

What happened when the army came to attack the town? What did the people of Bregenz

build to honor the maiden? How is she remembered when the watchman makes his rounds at night?

How long ago does the poet say the events of this story occurred?

Words and Phrases for Discussion

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

"deeds heroic"

"endless fame"

"heedless of their fields" "battlements are manned"

ONE COUNTRY

FRANK L. STANTON

[ocr errors]

Frank L. Stanton's home is in South Carolina. He writes for the "Atlanta Constitution, one of the great dailies of the South. His writings are full of his love of country.

1

After all,

One country, brethren! We must rise or fall
With the Supreme Republic. We must be
The makers of her immortality,—
Her freedom, fame,

Her glory or her shame:

Liegemen to God and fathers of the free!

After all

2

Hark! from the heights the clear, strong, clarion call
And the command imperious: "Stand forth,
Sons of the South and brothers of the North!
Stand forth and be

As one on soil and sea—

Your country's honor more than empire's worth!"

After all,

3

'Tis Freedom wears the loveliest coronal;

Her brow is to the morning; in the sod
She breathes the breath of patriots; every clod
Answers her call

And rises like a wall

Against the foes of liberty and God!

HELPS TO STUDY
Notes and Questions

To whom is this poem addressed? What is the "Supreme Republic''?

What kind of deeds makes the

glory of a country?

What deeds bring shame upon a country?

Of what does the poet say we

must be the makers? Why should boys and girls think of these things?

From whom do you think the command given in the second stanza comes?

Read the lines which give the "command imperious.''

[blocks in formation]

Sidney Lanier (1842-1881) was an American poet. He was born in Georgia and was the poet of the South. He was very musical and could play on the guitar, banjo, violin, and flute. His books for boys have been widely read, especially his "Boys' King Arthur.’’

Long as thine art shall love true love,
Long as thy science truth shall know,
Long as thine eagle harms no dove,
Long as thy law by law shall grow,
Long as thy God is God above,
Thy brother every man below,
So long, dear land of all my love,

Thy name shall shine, thy fame shall glow.

HELPS TO STUDY
Notes and Questions

How does the poet address his
country in this stanza?
How long does he say her "".
"'name
shall shine" and her "fame
shall glow''?

Read the lines which tell you this.

How do the eagle and the dove compare in size? In strength? If the eagle represents the United States, what does the dove represent?

If we look upon all men as

From "The Centennial Cantata." Copyright, 1885, by Charles Scribner's Sons, Publishers.

[blocks in formation]

5

10

15

ABOU BEN ADHEM

LEIGH HUNT

Leigh Hunt (1784-1859) was an English poet. He was born near London and went to school at Christ's Hospital, the famous Blue Coat School, in London. He wrote both prose and poetry. A monument was erected to his memory in the Kensal Green Cemetery on which is the inscription: "Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,

[ocr errors]

"What writest thou?" The vision raised its head,
And, with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.”

The angel wrote and vanished. The next night
It came again, with a great wakening light,

And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »