Narrative and Lyric Poems (first series) for use in the Lower School

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Narrative and Lyric Poems, by O. J. Stevenson
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Title: Narrative and Lyric Poems (first series) for use in the Lower School
Author: O. J. Stevenson
Release Date: August 15, 2004 [EBook #13184]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
? START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NARRATIVE AND LYRIC POEMS ***
Produced by Al Haines
NARRATIVE AND LYRIC POEMS
(FIRST SERIES)
FOR USE IN THE LOWER SCHOOL
WITH ANNOTATIONS BY
O. J. STEVENSON, M.A., D.PAED.,
Professor of English, Ontario Agricultural College.
TORONTO
THE COPP, CLARK COMPANY, LIMITED
Copyright, Canada, 1912, by THE COPP, CLARK COMPANY, LIMITED,
Toronto, Ontario.
PREFACE
The Narrative and Lyric Poems contained in this volume are those prescribed by the Department of Education for examination for Junior and Senior Public School Diplomas, and for the Senior High School Entrance, and Entrance into the Model Schools. (Circular 58.)
In arranging the order of the poems, the Editor has taken into consideration the character of the selections with the object both of grading them in the order of increasing difficulty, and of securing variety in the subjects treated. The teacher may, however, follow his own judgment as to the order in which the poems should be taken up in class.
In the annotations the chief points of difficulty have been explained. In the case of a number of the poems, different editions of the poets' works contain different readings. In such cases we have followed the readings that are best known and that have been recognized by the best authorities.
CONTENTS
The Meeting of the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moore
Jock o' Hazeldean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott
Horatius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Macaulay
Alice Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott
The Solitary Reaper . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wordsworth
The Island of the Scots . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aytoun
Dickens in Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harte
A Musical Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Browning
Gradatim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holland
The Battle of the Lake Regillus . . . . . . . . Macaulay
The Vision of Sir Launfal . . . . . . . . . . . . Lowell
The Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Longfellow
British Freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wordsworth
The Courtship of Miles Standish . . . . . . . . Longfellow
Sohrab and Rustum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold
NARRATIVE AND LYRIC POEMS
THE MEETING OF THE WATERS.
There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet?As that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet!?Oh! the last rays of feeling and life must depart?Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my heart.
Yet it was not that nature had shed o'er the scene 5 Her purest of crystal and brightest of green;?'Twas not the soft magic of streamlet or hill,?Oh! no--it was something more exquisite still.
'Twas that friends, the beloved of my bosom, were near,?Who made every dear scene of enchantment more dear, 10 And who felt how the best charms of nature improve,?When we see them reflected from looks that we love.
Sweet vale of Avoca![1] how calm could I rest?In thy bosom of shade with the friends I love best,?Where the storms that we feel in this cold world should cease, 15 And our hearts, like thy waters, be mingled in peace!
--Moore.
[1] Avoca. A valley and river in the County of Wicklow, Ireland. The name signifies "The Meeting of the Waters."
JOCK O' HAZELDEAN.
"Why weep ye by the tide, ladie??Why weep ye by the tide??I'll wed ye to my youngest son,?And ye sall[1] be his bride:?And ye sall be his bride, ladie, 5?Sae comely to be seen"--?But aye she loot[2] the tears down fa'?For Jock o' Hazeldean.
"Now let this wilfu' grief be done,?And dry that cheek so pale; 10?Young Frank is chief of Errington,?And lord of Langley-dale;?His step is first in peaceful ha',?His sword in battle