Elson Grammar School Literature Part 21

Old age ne'er cools the Douglas' blood; I thought to slay him where he stood.

'Tis pity of him, too," he cried; "Bold he can speak, and fairly ride-- I warrant him a warrior tried."

With this his mandate he recalls, And slowly seeks his castle halls.

HELPS TO STUDY.

Historical: Marmion, an English n.o.bleman, is sent as an envoy by Henry the Eighth, King of England, to James the Fourth, King of Scotland. The two countries are on the eve of war with each other. Arriving in Edinburgh, Marmion is entrusted by King James to the care and hospitality of Douglas, Earl of Angus, who, taking him to his castle at Tantallon, treats him with the respect due his position as representative of the king, but at the same time dislikes him. The war approaching, Marmion leaves to join the English camp. This sketch describes the leave-taking.

Notes and Questions.

In what part of the castle does this conversation take place? What tells you?

Where are Marmion's followers during this time? Where are Douglas's soldiery and servants? What lines tell you?

Notice how simply Marmion reminds Douglas of the claim he had upon hospitality, while in Scotland. Lines 9 to 12.

Note the claims that have always been allowed the stranger: "And stranger is a holy name, Guidance and rest and food and fire, In vain he never must require."

What part of Marmion's claim does Douglas recognize? Which lines show this?

What claim does Marmion make for one "who does England's message"?

What do we call one "who do England's message" at Was.h.i.+ngton?

Is this Marmion's personal pride or pride of country (patriotism)? Read the lines in which Marmion's personal pride shows itself in resentment of Douglas's insults.

What does Douglas forget when he threatens Marmion? Line 69.

Which man appears to greater advantage in this scene?

"train"--procession.

"'plain"--complain.

"Tantal'lon"--Douglas's castle.

"warder"--guard.

"peer"--equal.

"peer"--a n.o.bleman.

"Saint Bride"--a saint belonging to the house of Douglas,

"rowel"--wheel of a spur.

Words and Phrases for Discussion.

"pitch of pride"

"ponderous grate"

"swarthy cheek"

"flush of rage"

"level brim"

"haughty peer"

"ire"

"va.s.sals"

"gauntlet"

"unmeet"

"hold"

FOR A' THAT AND A' THAT

ROBERT BURNS

Is there, for honest poverty, That hangs his head, and a' that?

The coward-slave, we pa.s.s him by; We dare be poor for a' that!

For a' that, and a' that, Our toils obscure, and a' that; The rank is but the guinea stamp, The man's the gowd for a' that.

What though on hamely fare we dine, Wear hodden-gray, an a' that; Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine, A man's a man for a' that!

For a' that, and a' that, Their tinsel show, and a' that; The honest man, though e'er sae poor, Is king o' men for a' that.

Ye see yon birkie, ca'd a lord, Wha struts, and stares, and a' that; Though hundreds wors.h.i.+p at his word, He's but a coof for a' that; For a' that, and a' that, His ribband, star, and a' that; The man of independent mind, He looks and laughs at a' that.

A prince can make a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and a' that; But an honest man's aboon his might, Guid faith, he maunna fa' that!

For a' that, and a' that; Their dignities, and a' that; The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth, Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that, That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, Shall bear the gree, and a' that.

For a' that, and a' that, It's comin' yet, for a' that, That man to man, the warld o'er Shall brothers be for a' that.

HELPS TO STUDY.

Biographical: Robert Burns was born in Ayrs.h.i.+re, Scotland, in 1759. His life was short and full of poverty and privation; but he saw poetry in all the commonplace occurrences of every-day life. His sympathy went out to all human kind and, as the above selection shows, he had a high regard for the real worth of man.

Notes and Questions.

Does birth or station in life determine the man?

Lines 7, 8. Explain these lines.