8. Heaven is not reached at a single bound; QUESTIONS.-What lesson is this poem intended to teach? Show clearly what it is. First Stanza. What does "heaven" mean, in the first line? What "ladder" is meant, in the second line? What are the "vaulted skies"? Second Stanza. What is meant by being "grandly true"? What is the meaning of the second line? What is spoken of as "lifting the soul"? What is meant by this? Does the doing of a good deed help us to see the truth more clearly than before, and to see more of it? Explain the last line. What is the advantage of" pure air"? Third Stanza. Explain the first line. What is meant by " the pride deposed"? "the passion slain"? How may pride be deposed? How may passion be slain? Explain the last line. Fourth Stanza. Tell as carefully as you can in your own language the meaning of this stanza. Seventh Stanza. Find in the Bible the story alluded to in this stanza. What is the meaning of the stanza? Point out the beauty and aptness of the comparison. XCVIII.-" HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP." ELIZABETH B. BROWNING. 1. Of all the thoughts of God that are Along the Psalmist's music deep, 2. What would we give to our beloved? The poet's star-tuned harp, to sweep, 3. What do we give to our beloved? And bitter memories to make 4. The whole earth blasted for our sake.- Sleep soft, beloved!" we sometimes say, Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep. But never doleful dream again Shall break the happy slumber when 5. O earth, so full of dreary noises ! 6. His dews drop mutely on the hill; Though on its slope men sow and reap. He giveth His belovéd, sleep. 7. Ay, men may wonder while they scan 8. For me, my heart that erst did go That sees through tears the mummers leap, Who giveth His belovéd, sleep. 9. And, friends, dear friends,-when it shall be Let One, most loving of you all, QUESTIONS.-What kind of poetry is this? Is it joyous, sad, pathetic, plaintive? How much force does it require ? What degree of pitch? of speed? What feelings ought to be expressed in the reading of it? First Stanza. What "thought of God" is mentioned in this stanza? What precedes in thought the word "of" at the beginning of the first line? Convert the stanza into prose so as to show this. What is the meaning of the word "afar," and what does it modify? Meaning of " for " in the fifth line? Second Stanza. What is meant by the "hero's heart"? "the poet's startuned harp"? Why is it called "star-tuned"? What is declared about "the hero's heart, the poet's harp, the patriot's voice, the monarch's crown?" Third Stanza. Explain the second, third, fourth, and fifth lines, and show how they answer the question in the first line. What is the meaning of the word "undisproved"? "overweep"? Fifth Stanza. What part of speech is the word "heap" in the third line? What is the meaning of "delvéd"? Compare the fourth and fifth stanzas, and show the difference which the author points out between us and God. Seventh Stanza. What is the meaning of "scan"? Why "may men wonder,” and at what? Eighth Stanza. What is the meaning of the word "mummers"? To whom is it applied in this stanza? XCIX. THE FALL OF WOLSEY. SHAKSPEARE. Wolsey. Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness! This many summers in a sea of glory, But far beyond my depth: my high-blown pride Of a rude stream, that must for ever hide me. Enter CROMWELL, and stands amazed. Why, how now, Cromwell! Cromwell. I have no power to speak, sir. A great man should decline? Nay, an you weep, Cromwell. Wolsey. How does your grace? Why, well: Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience. The king has cured me, (I humbly thank his grace,) and from these shoulders, A load would sink a navy-too much honor! Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven. Cromwell. I am glad your grace has made that right use of it. Wolsey. I hope I have: I am able now, methinks, (Out of a fortitude of soul I feel,) To endure more miseries, and greater far, Than |