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. = 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, 66 "'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 the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain3 66 66 Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, 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?" Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, 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 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 Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, But the Raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken, Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster 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 Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor. 66 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- |