Page:Southern Life in Southern Literature.djvu/512

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LIFE IN THE AUTUMN WOODS (PAGE 202)

car: according to mythology the sun was a chariot driven through the heavens by the god Apollo. Shakespeare s melancholy courtier: Jaques in "As You Like It." Ardennes: some have thought that the forest of Arden, where is laid the scene of "As You Like it," must have been taken from the forest of Ardennes in French Flanders. Amiens: in "As You Like It," a lord attending on the banished duke. little recked: see "As You Like It," II, i, in which Jaques in an excess of sentimentality weeps over the killing of a deer.

QUESTIONS, i. What descriptions of the delights of hunting does

the poem give? 2. How does the poet show himself to be appreciative of nature?

THEODORE O HARA

THE BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD (PAGE 205)

This poem commemorates the Kentuckians who fell in the Mexican War at the battle of Buena Vista. It was read by the author when the remains of these soldiers were brought to Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1847 for burial. Came down the serried foe: the Mexicans under Santa Anna. Long had the doubtful conflict raged: the battle raged for ten hours with varying success. stout old chieftain: General Zachary Taylor. Angostura s plain: the plateau on which the battle was fought, so called from the mountain pass of Angostura leading to it from the south. Dark and Bloody Ground: this is the meaning of the Indian word "Kentucky." Spartan mother s: Kentucky is here likened to the Spartan mothers who wished to have their sons return with their shields or upon them.

QUESTIONS, i. What pictures of the battle and details concerning

it are given? 2. W T hat tribute is paid to the fallen soldiers? 3. What qualities are to be expected in a martial poem? 4. Does this poem exhibit these?

ALEXANDER BEAUFORT MEEK

A SONG (PAGE 209)

QUESTIONS, i. Who is the speaker? 2. What comparisons does the

speaker use to indicate feeling? 3. Which of these is the most poetic, and why?