A PSALM OF LIFE BY HENRY W. LONGFELLOW ELL me not, in mournful numbers, TEL Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers, Life is real! Life is earnest ! Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day. Art is long, and Time is fleeting, ΤΟ And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave. In the world's broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle! Be a hero in the strife! 20 Lives of great men all remind us Footprints, that perhaps another, Let us, then, be up and doing, Learn to labor and to wait. I. What is it the poet says is not true? Where does he say this? What does he say is true? 2. After you have read the poem, and have its general meaning, take each stanza and explain it. Make a note of the lines whose meaning is not clear to you, and ask the class for interpretations. 3. Memorize your favorite stanza. 4. Who was Longfellow? Find his biography in the encyclopedia and write a brief account of him. TH thee. HE Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David, my father, great mercy, according s as he walked before Thee in truth and in righteousness and in uprightness of heart with Thee; and Thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O Lord my God, Thou hast made Thy servant king instead of David, my father; and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. ΤΟ And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people which Thou hast chosen, a great people that cannot be 15 numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad; for who is able to judge this, Thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 20 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked 25 168 10 the life of thine enemies, but has asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment Behold I have done according to thy words: lo I have given thee a wise and understanding heart, so s that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor; so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. Wounded when scarce the fight begun, There was his duty to be done, And he did it. Death's fiery hail he did not shun, There was his duty to be done, And he did it. ક Britain be proud of such a son! Deathless the fame that he has won. Only a boy, but such a one! — There was his duty to be done, And he did it. Let every soul in all the land Revere his steadfast loyalty. Britain shall all unconquered stand His death fulfilled his King's command, 1. What has the poem to do with the title? Is it well named? 2. Who is the hero of the poem? Prove that he was a hero by selecting lines or phrases from the poem and reading them aloud to the class. What country was he serving? 3. Who is the "King" in line 18? (From The Vision Splendid by John Oxenham, Copyright, 1917, George H. Doran Company, Publishers.) |