True as the steel of their tried blades, There had the Persian's thousands stood, And now there breathed that haunted air; "To arms! they come! the Greek! the Greek!" And death shots falling thick and fast "Strike, till the last armed foe expires! They fought, like brave men, long and well, His few surviving comrades saw His smile, when rang their proud hurrah, And the red field was won; Then saw in death his eyelids close Like flowers at set of sun. Come to the bridal chamber, Death! That close the pestilence are broke, With banquet song and dance and wine- The groan, the knell, the pall, the bier, Of agony, are thine! But to the hero, when his sword Has won the battle for the free, Thy voice sounds like a prophet's word, The thanks of millions yet to be. Bozzaris! with the storied brave We tell thy doom without a sigh; For thou art freedom's now, and Fame's- That were not born to die. HELPS FOR STUDY What inspired Halleck to write this poem? Who was Marco Bozzaris? What did the Turk dream? Explain "trophies of the conqueror." What indicates that the Turk was confident of success? What is a "signet-ring"? What contrast is shown between the first and second stanzas? What are the lines with which Bozzaris inspires his soldiers? How does death appear to the hero? Explain "with the storied brave Greece nurtured in her glory's time." NOTES 13 Suliote band. Natives of Suli, a mountainous district in Albania. 18 Platea's day. This is a reference to a battle fought at Platæa, a city of Boeotia, Greece, about thirty miles northwest of Athens. In the battle, which occurred 497 B. C., the Greeks were victorious over the Persians. 38 Moslem. Mohammedans. The Turks were members of this faith. ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS Alnwick Castle To a Friend 10 15 5 BRUCE'S ADDRESS ROBERT BURNS Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, was born January 25, 1759, in a small, clay-built cottage, about a mile and a half south of Ayr. His father had to struggle all his life with poverty and misfortune, but he made every exertion to give his children a good education. Robert was sent to school at the age of six, and by the time he was nine he had read with enthusiasm every book that came in his way, especially poetry. His first volume of poems was published in 1786, and had a wonderful success. His brief life of thirty-seven years was one continued struggle, yet he was able to give to literature some of its most precious jewels. He died at Dumfries, Scotland, July 21, 1796. Scots, who have with Wallace bled, Or to victory! Now's the day, and now's the hour; See approach proud Edward's power — Who will be a traitor knave? Who so base as be a slave? Let him turn and flee! Who for Scotland's king and law Let him on with me! HELPS FOR STUDY What is meant by "Scots, who have with Wallace bled?" Explain "gory bed." Explain "front of battle lower." Why would "proud Edward's power" bring "chains and slavery" to the Scots? Who are told to "turn and flee"? Who are to go into battle with Bruce? What is the meaning of "fa""? NOTES a poem "Bruce's Address" is an extract from "Bannockburn," in which Burns gives the supposed address of Robert Bruce to his army at the Battle of Bannockburn. This was the most famous battle in Scottish history. Thirty thousand Scots, commanded by Bruce, overwhelmingly defeated the English army, one hundred thousand strong, under Edward II. 1 Wallace. Sir William Wallace, born about 1274, an early Scotch patriot and liberator, who took a leading part in the wars fought between England and Scotland. He was finally betrayed into the hands of his enemies and taken to London, when he was executed August 23, 1305. 2 Bruce. Robert Bruce, born July 11, 1274, a famous king of Scotland, and one of the national heroes of the country. He died at Cardross, Scotland, June 7, 1329. |