The Elson Readers Part 4

WILLIAM MOTHERWELL

I've plucked the berry from the bush, the brown nut from the tree, But heart of happy little bird ne'er broken was by me. I saw them in their curious nests, close couching, slyly peer With their wild eyes, like glittering beads, to note if harm were near; I pa.s.sed them by, and blessed them all; I felt that it was good To leave unmoved the creatures small whose home was in the wood.

And here, even now, above my head, a l.u.s.ty rogue doth sing; He pecks his swelling breast and neck, and trims his little wing. He will not fly; he knows full well, while chirping on that spray, I would not harm him for a world, or interrupt his lay. Sing on, sing on, blithe bird! and fill my heart with summer gladness; It has been aching many a day with measures full of sadness!

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Biography. William Motherwell (1797-1835), a Scotch poet and journalist, was born in Glasgow, where he lived and died. In 1830 he became editor of the Glasgow Courier. He wrote a volume of local ballads, and many of his poems were published in the magazines and newspapers.

Discussion. 1. To what does the poet compare the eyes of birds? 2.

Find the lines that tell why the bird is not afraid of the poet. 3.

How do you think the birds know their friends? 4. What happiness does the poet get because of his kindness to the birds? 5. Read the lines that another poet who loved birds has written about his love for them:

"He prayeth well who loveth well Both man and bird and beast.

"He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small; For the dear G.o.d who loveth us, He made and loveth all."

6. You will find helpful suggestions in the ill.u.s.trated Farmers'

Bulletins, Bird Houses and How to Build Them, and How to Attract Birds, sent free by the Department of Agriculture, Was.h.i.+ngton, DC. 7.

In the Forward Look, on pages 19 and 20, you were told that the poets and wise story writers of Nature help us to see the beauty that lies in the great outdoor world. Mention instances of help that you have received from the stories and poems you have read in this group. 8.

Find in the Glossary the meaning of: glittering; trims; spray; blithe; measures.

Phrases for Study: close couching, l.u.s.ty rogue, note if harm were near, knows full well, leave unmoved, interrupt his lay.

THE VIOLET AND THE BEE

John Bannister Tabb

"And pray, who are you?"

Said the Violet blue To the Bee, with surprise, At his wonderful size, In her eyegla.s.s of dew.

"I, madam," quoth he, "Am a publican Bee, Collecting the tax Of honey and wax.

Have you nothing for me?"

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Biography. Reverend John B. Tabb (1845-1909), a Southern poet, was born near Richmond, Virginia. All his life he was interested in birds, flowers, and outdoor life. When the Civil War began, he joined the Southern army, although he was a mere lad of sixteen. After the war he became a clergyman and a teacher.

Discussion. 1. What did the Violet ask the Bee? 2. What surprised the Violet? 3. What is the Violet's "eyegla.s.s of dew"? 4. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: quoth; publican; tax.

FOUR-LEAF CLOVERS

Ella Higginson

I know a place where the sun is like gold, And the cherry blooms burst with snow; And down underneath is the loveliest nook, Where the four-leaf clovers grow.

One leaf is for hope, and one is for faith, And one is for love, you know; But G.o.d put another in for luck-- If you search, you will find where they grow.

But you must have hope, and you must have faith; You must love and be strong; and so, If you work, if you wait, you will find the place Where the four-leaf clovers grow.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Biography. Ella Higginson (1862-1940), an American writer, lived in Bellingham, on Puget Sound, Was.h.i.+ngton. She won a prize of five hundred dollars, offered by a magazine for the best short story.

Discussion. 1. To whom is the four-leaf clover supposed to bring good luck? 2. Which do you think will give greater happiness, to learn something by hard work or to gain it by chance? Why do you think so?

3. What does the poem say we must have? 4. What does the poem say we must do? 5. If we have all these things and do all these things, shall we need to hunt for the four-leaf clover to bring us good fortune?

Why? 6. Commit the poem to memory.

JACK IN THE PULPIT

Clara Smith

Jack in the pulpit Preaches today, Under the green trees Just over the way.

Squirrel and song-sparrow, High on their perch, Hear the sweet lily-bells Ringing to church.

Come hear what his reverence Rises to say In his low, painted pulpit This calm Sabbath day.

Meek-faced anemones, Drooping and sad; Great yellow violets, Smiling out glad; b.u.t.tercups' faces, Beaming and bright; Clovers with bonnets, Some red and some white; Daisies, their white fingers Half-clasped in prayer; Dandelions, proud of The gold of their hair; Innocents, children Guileless and frail,

Meek little faces Upturned and pale; Wildwood geraniums, All in their best, Languidly leaning, In purple gauze dressed-- All are a.s.sembled This sweet Sabbath day To hear what the priest In his pulpit will say.

So much for the preacher; The sermon comes next-- Shall we tell how he preached it And where was his text?

Alas! like too many Grown-up folks who play At wors.h.i.+p in churches Man-builded today, We heard not the preacher Expound or discuss; But we looked at the people And they looked at us.

We saw all their dresses-- Their colors and shapes, The trim of their bonnets; The cut of their capes; We heard the wind-organ, The bee, and the bird, But of Jack in the pulpit We heard not a word!

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Biography. Clara Smith is not a well-known writer, but her poem, "Jack in the Pulpit," is full of beauty. The rhythm is as pleasing as the picture is charming.

Discussion. 1. What time of year is described in this poem? 2. Who make up the congregation when Jack in the pulpit preaches? 3. How does the poet make the flowers seem like people? 4. How many of the flowers described in this poem are familiar to you? 5. Which flower is most beautifully described? Find the lines that give the description. 6.

Why are we not told about the sermon? 7. What was the congregation doing during the sermon? 8. What did they see? What did they hear?

9. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: drooping; beaming; gauze; a.s.sembled; text; wors.h.i.+p; expound. 10. p.r.o.nounce: anemones; guileless; languidly.

Phrases for Study: his reverence, all in their best, painted pulpit, man-builded today.