It seemed the loveliness of things Did teach him all their use, For, in mere weeds, and stones, and springs, 9 Men granted that his speech was wise, Of his slim grace and woman's eyes, They laughed, and called him good-for-naught. 1C Yet after he was dead and gone, And e'en his memory dim, Earth seemed more sweet to live upon, More full of love, because of him. 11 And day by day more holy grew Each spot where he had trod, Till after-poets only knew Their first-born brother as a god. HELPS TO STUDY. Historical: The Greeks thought there were twelve great gods and goddesses who lived on Mt. Olympus. Chief among these was Jupiter. Apollo, one of the sons of Jupiter, was lord of the day and was the god of music and poetry. He founded cities and made wise and just laws. Apollo's son, Esculapius, became so skillful a physician that he could restore the dead to life. Pluto, the god of the under-world, thought this lessened his power over the dead and he persuaded Jupiter to kill Esculapius with a thunderbolt. Apollo, enraged at the death of his son, killed the men who made the thunderbolt, but as punishment for this act of injustice, Jupiter condemned him to spend a year upon earth, as servant to a mortal. In this poem Lowell pictures the life of Apollo among men. Notes and Questions, What occupations are mentioned in the poem? How does Lowell account for the king's "pure taste" in music? What does the smoothing of the beard add to the picture which Lowell has made of the king? What do you think the shepherd was doing when men thought him idle? What do you think he saw in a "common flower" which other men did not see? To what dear common flower" did Lowell address a beautiful poem? The poet Tennyson once said of a little flower: "But if I could understand What you are, root and all, and all in all, I should know what God and man is.'' Read the lines which tell what the memory of the shepherd's life did for others when he was gone? What words in the last stanza tell you that the shepherd was a poet? What does the word "first-born" tell you about him? MAUD MULLER. JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER. 1 Maud Muller, on a summer's day, 2 Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth 3 Singing, she wrought, and her merry glee, The mock-bird echoed from his tree. 4 But when she glanced to the far-off town, White from its hill-slope looking down, 5 The sweet song died, and a vague unrest And a nameless longing filled her breast, 6 A wish, that she hardly dared to own, ry The Judge rode slowly down the lane, 8 He drew his bridle in the shade Of the apple-trees, to greet the maid, 9 And ask a draught from the spring that flowed 10 She stooped where the cool spring bubbled up 11 And blushed as she gave it, looking down 12 "Thanks!" said the Judge; "a sweeter draught From a fairer hand was never quaffed." 13 He spoke of the grass and flowers and trees, 14 Then talked of the haying, and wondered whether The cloud in the west would bring foul weather. 15 And Maud forgot her brier-torn gown, And her graceful ankles bare and brown; 16 And listened, while a pleased surprise 17 At last, like one who for delay Seeks a vain excuse, he rode away. 18 Maud Muller looked and sighed: "Ah me! That I the Judge's bride might be! 19 "He would dress me up in silks so fine, And praise and toast me at his wine. 20 "My father should wear a broadcloth coat; My brother should sail a painted boat. 21 "I'd dress my mother so grand and gay, And the baby should have a new toy each day. 22 "And I'd feed the hungry and clothe the poor, And all should bless me who left our door." 23 The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill, And saw Maud Muller standing still. 24 "A form more fair, a face more sweet, Ne'er hath it been my lot to meet. 25 "And her modest answer and graceful air Show her wise and good as she is fair. 26 "Would she were mine, and I to-day, Like her, a harvester of hay: |