7. Because her suffering life enfolds In death-strong grasp her heart she holds, 8. Last eve, they say, a field was won. Her eyes ask tidings of the fight; But tell her of the dead alone Who lay out in the night. 9. In mercy tell her that his name 10. Oh poor, pale child! Oh woman's heart! CIX.-LINT. ANONYMOUS. 1. Fiber by fiber, shred by shred, 2. There are jewels of price in her roseate ears, 3. A rare bird sings in a gilded cage A sun ray glints through a swaying bough, 4. A sob floats out to the summer air Are waved by the swell of a long, low sigh, 5. "Ah! beauty of earth is naught, is naught! I have seen a sister's scarred face shine 6. "I have read of another, whose passing shade In the far Crimea !" There are no more tears, 7. The bird still sings in his gilded cage ; Hath stung her soul with a noble pain ; 8. Fiber by fiber, shred by shred, Still fall from her delicate hand 9. There are crimson stains on breasts and brows, The walls are lofty and white and bare, Through the chamber where she toils. 10. No glitter of gold on her slender wrist, *Florence Nightingale, an English lady, who cared for her country's soldiers in the Crimean war, in 1854. But a youth and a beauty all divine QUESTIONS. First Stanza. What is "lint," and for what is it used? What is a "fiber"? a "shred"? What are "feathery films"? Why is the snow called the "vanishing snow"? What person is chiefly spoken of in this selection? Second Stanza. Why should the "jewels " be mentioned? What kind of jewels are they? What is meant by "roseate ears"? What are on her "wrists"? her "hands"? What are 66 gems of Why is the "bird" mentioned? What is a "casement"? What is it to "glint"? What is the cause of the 66 tear"? What is a "diamond radiance "? Fourth Stanza. What is the song-bird's "latest trill"? Explain the third and fourth lines. What is "gossamer"? "drapery"? Why do the hands become still"? What kind of hands are "delicate hands"? Fifth Stanza. . What is meant by the statement that "beauty is naught"? Who says it? What is a "gilded youth"? Is anything said to prove that beauty of earth is naught? How can a scarred face" be beautiful? Sixth Stanza. What did the "mangled" kiss? 66 Why are there no more tears"? Why does she "pluck the gems from her delicate ears"? What do you think was done with the "gems and gold"? Ninth Stanza. What are What place is described in this stanza? "ghastly coils"? What takes place between the pictures presented in the sixth and ninth stanzas? What is the meaning of “ever” in the fourth line? What lesson is taught in this poem? What is its general sentiment? How then ought the piece to be read? CX.-SCENE FROM KING JOHN., SHAKSPEARE. ACT. IV. Scene I. Northampton. A Room in the Castle. Hubert. Heat me these irons hot; and, look thou stand Upon the bosom of the ground, rush forth, And bind the boy which you shall find with me, Fast to the chair: be heedful. Hence, and watch. 1st Attendant. I hope your warrant will bear out the deed. Hubert. Uncleanly scruples: fear not you; look to't. [Exeunt Attendants]. Young lad, come forth; I have to say with you. Enter ARTHUR. Arthur. Good morrow, Hubert. Good morrow, little prince. Hubert. Arthur. Mercy on me! Methinks nobody should be sad but I: Is it my fault that I was Geffrey's son? I were your son, so you would love me, Hubert. Hubert [Aside.] If I talk to him, with his innocent prate He will awake my mercy, which lies dead: That I might sit all night, and watch with you: Hubert [Aside.] His words do take possession of my bosom. Read here, young Arthur. [Showing a paper.] [Aside.] How now, foolish rheum! Turning despiteous torture out of door? I must be brief, lest resolution drop Out at mine eyes in tender womanish tears.- Arthur. Too fairly, Hubert, for so foul effect. Must you with hot irons burn out both mine eyes? Hubert. Young boy, I must. Arthur. Hubert. And will you? And I will. Arthur. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache, I knit my handkerchief about your brows, (The best I had, a princess wrought it me,) And with my hand at midnight held your head, Still and anon cheered up the heavy time, Saying, What lack you? and, Where lies your grief? If heaven be pleased that you will use me ill, So much as frown on you? Hubert. I have sworn to do it, And with hot irons must I burn them out. |