1. Explain “shaft” and “architrave." See illustrations in a good dictionary.

2. Vault = arched roof or ceiling. In the great cathedrals of Europe the arched ceiling is often very lofty.

3. As poured forth from the great cathedral organs and large choirs.
"The pres. part. of a supposed verb
WEBSTER.

=

4. Darkling dusky, gloomy.

darkle, diminutive from dark.".

5. In some editions we find "amidst."

poetry.

6. Give a synonym for "solemn."

7: Might not

"Amid " is used mostly in

= was not able. A. S. magan, to be able.

8. What is the subject of "stole"? From what three separate objects came the "sacred influences"?

9. Explain "riper years."

10. What is the etymological force of sanctuary?

II. Bryant had in mind Gen. i. 10, II.

12. Explain "shrine." Why does Bryant say "humble worshipper"} 13. Report: = tell.

nature.

14. Fantastic = existing only in imagination; hence, unlike anything in Such ornamentation can hardly be justified on any correct principles of architecture. According to Ruskin, ornamentation should in some degree express or adopt the beauty of natural objects. "All noble ornament is the

expression of man's delight in God's work."

=

15. Instinct moved, animated. Lat. instinguere, to instigate, incite. 16. Emanation = that which issues from any source. Lat. e, out, and

manare, to flow.

17. To what does "he" refer?

18. These were the anchorets or hermits of the early centuries of the Christian era. "They lived in caves, avoided all intercourse with their fellowmen, abstained as much as possible from food, spoke no word, but prayed in silence."-Schaff-Herzog Encyclopædia.

19. Express "the swift dark whirlwind " in a single word.

TO THE FRINGED GENTIAN.

This poem is justly admired for its delicate feeling. The poet's love of nature, exhibited in the various fine descriptions of "Thanatopsis," and "A Forest Hymn," is here centred in a little flower. His acquaintance with the appearance and habits of the several flowers mentioned indicates his attentive observation.

1. Gentiana crinita, or Blue Fringed Gentian, found in cool, low grounds

from Canada to Carolina. The stem is about a foot high, and the flowers are sky-blue. It blooms in autumn.

2. Aquilegia Vulgaris, or common Columbine. It blooms in June, with large purple flowers. Another common species, Aquilegia Canadensis, has scarlet flowers.

THE DEATH OF THE FLOWERS.

This poem was written in memory of the poet's sister, the beloved companion of his earlier years. See the sketch of Bryant. "No one is to be envied," says a biographer, "who can read the closing stanzas to-day without emotion."

What characteristics of the poet are exemplified in this piece? This poem, as well as the following one, “The Evening Wind," will repay careful study.

X.

SELECTIONS FROM POE.

THE RAVEN.

ONCE upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore —
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

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"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door Only this and nothing more."

99 I

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, 2
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain3
Thrilled me filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;4
This it is and nothing more.”

66

66

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you" - here I opened wide the door;·
Darkness there and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word " Lenore?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word "Lenore! "
Merely this and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping something louder than before.
Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is and this mystery explore —

66

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;

'Tis the wind and nothing more."

yore.

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,5
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door —
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door —

6

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,

16

Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no

craven,

Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!”
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore." 7

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning — little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door-
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."

But the Raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered; not a feather then he fluttered
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "Other friends have flown before-
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said "Nevermore."

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,

Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore —
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of Never- nevermore." "

But the Raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;

Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore —

What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore — Meant in croaking "Nevermore."

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er
She shall press, ah, nevermore !

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen

censer

Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.

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Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee

hath sent thee

Respite respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore! Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore! Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! — prophet still, if bird or devil! Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted

On this Home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore—

Is there is there balm in Gilead? - tell me

--

tell me, I implore!" Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

Prophet!" said I, “ thing of evil — prophet still, if bird or devil! By that heaven that bends above us by that God we both adore — Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."8