15 You can hear him wield * his heavy sledge,* It sounds to him like her mother's voice, He needs must think of her once more, 35 And with his hard, rough hand, he wipes BARBARA FRITCHIE.-J. G. Whittier. JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER (1808- ) was born at Havershill, Massachusetts, where his ancestors had long been settled. Many of his poems were devoted to the cause of abolition. He contributes to all the leading American Magazines of the present day. Up from the meadows, rich with corn, * * Clustered, crowded together. Frederick, or Frede ricksburg, in ginia, U.S. Vir Here General Burnside was defeated (1862) by General Lee, in what was one of the fiercest battles of the war. Famished, very hungry. Rebel, one who shakes off, or fights against, lawful authority. Horde, company. Fall, autumn. Lee, the heroic leader of the Southern forces in the American civil war, which commenced in 1861 and continued till 1865. Forty flags, &c. The American flag was composed of thirteen bars or stripes alternately red and white, and thirteen white stars on a blue ground. Hence the allusion to stars and bars. Hauled, pulled, dragged with viol ence. Loyal, to be faithful and obedient to the laws of one's country. Stonewall Jackson, an able general, famous for his bravery. He received the nickname of "Stonewall" from the firmness with which his men resisted every attack. He was accidentally struck by a bullet fired by one of his own soldiers at the battle of Chancellorsville, 1863. Slouched, turned down. Shiver, shatter, to break into small pieces by sudden violence. Silken scarf, the banner, which was made of silk. Round about them orchards sweep, To the eyes of the famished * rebel * horde.* On that pleasant morn of the early fall,* 5 When Lee* marched over the mountain wall, 10 Horse and foot, into Frederick town, * Forty flags with their silver stars, Up rose old Barbara Fritchie then, She took up the flag the men hauled* down; In her attic window the staff she set, Under his slouched* hat, left and right, It shivered* the window, pane and sash; She leaned far out on the window sill A shade of sadness, a blush of shame, "Who touches a hair of yon grey head, * 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 All day long the free flag tossed Over the heads of the rebel host; Ever its torn folds rose and fell On the loyal winds, that loved it well; And through the hill-gaps sunset light 50 Shone over it with a warm good-night. Barbara Fritchie's work is o'er, 55 And the rebel rides on his raid* no more. Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier! * Peace, and order, and beauty draw Raid, invasion, expedition. Bier, a carriage or frame of wood, for bearing the dead to the grave. Symbol, emblem, sign. THE STAR AND THE WATER-LILY.-O. W. Holmes. OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES (1809- ) was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. He is a doctor of medicine, and a professor at Harvard College. Among his chief works may be mentioned The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table. THE Sun stepped down from his golden throne, And lay in the silent sea, * And the Lily had folded her satin leaves, For a sleepy thing was she; 5 What is the Lily dreaming of? Why crisp the waters blue? 1Ο See, see, she is lifting her varnished lid! The Rose is cooling his burning cheek In the lap of the breathless tide; Lily, a water-lily is a water plant like a lily, and is remarkable for its beautiful flowers and large floating leaves. Glistening, shining. Glide, pass by. "Oh, the Rose is old, and thorny, and cold, One ray from his far-off throne; 30. The winds shall blow and the waves shall flow, Fickle, inconstant, changeable. Pallid, pale, white. That he has not cheered with his fickle * smile, And will he be true to a pallid * flower, 40 THE PARTING OF MARMION AND DOUGLAS.-Scott. * "Though something I might plain," he said, "Of cold respect to stranger guest, 15 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* hand." my But Douglas round him drew his cloak, Folded his arms, and thus he spoke : 20 "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: 25 My castles are my king's alone, 35 From turret to foundation* stone ;- * * 30 Burned Marmion's swarthy* cheek like fire, 45 I tell thee thou'rt defied! near, And if thou saidst I am not peer 50 On the earl's cheek the flush of rage O'ercame the ashen hue* of age. Fierce he broke forth :-" And darest The Douglas in his hall? Beneath, &c., written Douglas, Archibald Adieu, farewell. He lists, he pleases Turret, a tower on a Foundation, base 55 And hop'st thou hence unscathed* to go?No! by Saint Bride of Bothwell, no! Defied, dared. Unscathed,unharmed. Up drawbridge, grooms!-what, warder,* ho! so as to be let down Let the portcullis * fall.” in a moment to keep out an enemy. |