The Tempest was probably the last play that Shakespeare wrote. He perhaps got his suggestion for the play from the report that some ships had been wrecked on the Bermuda Islands.

I. Do you know of any other story which deals with persons shipwrecked on a lonely island?

2. Who are the chief persons on the island in the first part of the story? 3. In what ways were Ariel and Caliban alike? In what ways different? 4. What do you learn in the story of the early life of Prospero? 5. Do you like Miranda? What are her most attractive qualities? 6. How did Ariel serve Prospero?

7. What are the chief habits of Caliban?

8. Why was Prospero happy that Miranda liked Ferdinand?

9. Tell the whole story of Gonzalo. Make an outline of this story. 10. What part of the story would make the best motion picture?

THE PARTING OF MARMION AND DOUGLAS

SIR WALTER SCOTT

Lord Marmion, bearing a message from the King of England, has been entertained with his followers at the castle of Douglas, a Scottish lord. The incident of this poem occurs when Marmion is about to leave Douglas's castle. Evidently Douglas has treated his guest with but "cold respect," and both men are full of anger. The insult is easy for each to give, and each is quick to blaze up with indignation.

THE train from out the castle drew,

But Marmion stopped to bid adieu;

"Though something I might 'plain," he said, "Of cold respect to stranger guest,

Sent hither by your King's behest,

While in Tantallon's towers I stayed,
Part we in friendship from your land,
And, noble Earl, receive my hand."
But Douglas round him drew his cloak,
Folded his arms, and thus he spoke :
"My manors, halls, and bowers shall still
Be open, at my Sovereign's will,
To each one whom he lists, howe'er
Unmeet to be the owner's peer.
My castles are my King's alone,
From turret to foundation stone
The hand of Douglas is his own,
And never shall, in friendly grasp,
The hand of such as Marmion clasp."

Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire,

And shook his very frame for ire;

And "This to me!" he said,

"An 'twere not for thy hoary beard,

Such hand as Marmion's had not spared

To cleave the Douglas' head!
And first I tell thee, haughty peer,
He who does England's message here,
Although the meanest in her state,
May well, proud Angus, be thy mate:
And, Douglas, more I tell thee here,
Even in thy pitch of pride -
Here in thy hold, thy vassals near,
(Nay, never look upon your lord,
And lay your hands upon your sword)
I tell thee, thou'rt defied!

And if thou said'st I am not peer
To any lord in Scotland here,
Lowland or Highland, far or near,
Lord Angus, thou hast lied!"

On the earl's cheek the flush of rage

O'ercame the ashen hue of age;

Fierce he broke forth, - "And darest thou then

To beard the lion in his den,

The Douglas in his hall?

And hopest thou hence unscathed to go?

No, by Saint Bride of Bothwell, no!

Up drawbridge, grooms- what, Warder, ho!
Let the portcullis fall."

Lord Marmion turned, - well was his need,
And dashed the rowels in his steed;

Like arrow through the archway sprung;
The ponderous gate behind him rung;

To
pass there was such scanty room,
The bars, descending, razed his plume.

The steed along the drawbridge flies,
Just as it trembled on the rise;
Not lighter does the swallow skim
Along the smooth lake's level brim;

And when Lord Marmion reached his band,
He halts, and turns with clenched hand,

And shout of loud defiance pours,

And shook his gauntlet at the towers.

"Horse! horse!" the Douglas cried, "and chase!"
But soon he reined his fury's pace:
"A royal messenger he came,

Though most unworthy of the name. —
Saint Mary mend my fiery mood!
Old age ne'er cools the Douglas blood;
I thought to slay him where he stood.
'Tis pity of him too," he cried:
"Bold can he speak, and fairly ride-
I warrant him a warrior tried."
With this his mandate he recalls,

And slowly seeks his castle halls.

Abridged

This episode is selected from Scott's long poem entitled Marmion.

To appreciate this selection, you should read it orally or, better still, it may be dramatized by two persons, one playing the part of Marmion and the other Douglas.

1. What, if anything, does the refusal of Douglas to offer his hand show about his character?

2. Why does Douglas not give chase to Marmion?

3. The poem may be illustrated in your notebook by pictures of castles showing drawbridge, portcullis, etc., and by pictures of soldiers, armor, etc.

WORD STUDY. Copy in your notebook the following words and write a synonym for each. How many can you do without the aid of a glossary or dictionary?

SONG OF MARION'S MEN

WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT

OUR band is few, but true and tried,
Our leader frank and bold;
The British soldier trembles
When Marion's name is told.
Our fortress is the good greenwood,
Our tent the cypress tree;
We know the forest round us

As seamen know the sea.
We know its walls of thorny vines,
Its glades of reedy grass,

Its safe and silent islands
Within the dark morass.

Woe to the English soldiery
That little dread us near!
On them shall light at midnight
A strange and sudden fear:
When waking to their tents on fire
They grasp their arms in vain,
And they who stand to face us
Are beat to earth again;
And they who fly in terror deem

A mighty host behind,

And hear the tramp of thousands

Upon the hollow wind.

Then sweet the hour that brings release

From danger and from toil;

We talk the battle over,

And share the battle's spoil.