LESSON VII. STUDY OF SELECTION. LITTLE BELL. I. Piped the Blackbird, on the beechwood spray, "Pretty maid, slow wandering this way, What's your name?" quoth he. "What's your name? Oh, stop and straight unfold, Pretty maid, with showery curls of gold." And the Blackbird piped- you never heard Full of quips and wiles, Now so round and rich, now soft and slow, All for love of that sweet face below, Dimpled o'er with smiles. IV. And the while that bonny bird did pour In the little childish heart below All the sweetness seemed to grow and grow, From the brown, bright eyes. V. Down the dell she tripped, and through the glade – And from out the tree Swung and leaped and frolicked, void of fear, "Little Bell!" piped he. Read the first stanza. What is this stanza about? Where was the blackbird? Whom did he address? What did he say? What reply did the little girl make? Describe Little Bell. What is the meaning of piped? Of spray? Of quoth? Of unfold? What are the marks called that enclose the words Little Bell? Why are they used? Read the second stanza. did? What the second thing? are they said to be gleaming? do? What reply did he make? What does the third stanza tell? What was the first thing that Little Bell What is meant by golden locks? Why Mention the words that describe the blackbird's song. What is the meaning of the third line? Why did the blackbird sing so sweetly? Read the fourth stanza. What was the effect of the bird's singing? Why is the apostrophe used in the second line? In the third line? Read the fifth stanza. How many statements are made in the first line? What is the difference between a dell and a glade? What is the second line about? Change the order of the words, placing the subject of the sentence first. Would looked express the meaning as well as peeped? Why not? What else did the squirrel do? Give in your own words the meaning of the third and fourth lines. What do the last two lines tell? WRITTEN EXERCISES. I. Re-arrange the words in the following sentences, placing the subjects of the sentences first: 1. Piped the blackbird, on the beechwood spray. 2. Down the dell she tripped, and through the glade. 3. Peeped the squirrel from the hazel-shade. 4. From out the tree swung and leaped and frolicked the squirrel. 5. "Little Bell!" piped he. II. Copy the following, writing the contracted words in full: 1. What's your name? 2. Here's the very finest song I know. His full heart out, freely, o'er and o'er, 'Neath the morning skies. · III. Copy the following, and draw one line under the subject and two lines under the predicate, in each sentence: I. Little Bell sat down beneath the rocks. 2. She tossed aside her golden locks. 3. Sing me your best song. 4. What is your name? 5. "Little Bell," said she. 6. That bonny bird did pour his full heart out. 7. You never heard half so gay a song. 8. The sweetness shone forth from the brown, bright eyes. 9. Down the dell she tripped. 10. Peeped the squirrel from the hazel-shade. Great ripe nuts, kissed brown by July sun, Hark! how Blackbird pipes, to see the fun! "Happy Bell!" pipes he. VII. Little Bell looked up and down the glade: 66 Squirrel, Squirrel, from the nut-tree shade, Bonny Blackbird, if you're not afraid, Come and share with me!" Down came Squirrel, eager for his fare, VIII. And the while those frolic playmates twain Piped and frisked from bough to bough again, 'Neath the morning skies, In the little childish heart below, All the sweetness seemed to grow and grow, And shine out in happy overflow, From her brown, bright eyes. IX. By her snow-white cot, at close of day, Knelt sweet Bell, with folded palms, to pray. Very calm and clear Rose the praying voice, to where, unseen, In blue heaven, an angel shape serene |