Then she ordered her maid to fetch all three, and gave them to the doctor, and begged him to give them back to the soldiers; and the moment he had them safe he gave her a whole pear to eat, and the nose came right. And as for the doctor, he put on the cloak, wished the king and all his court a good day, and was soon with his two brothers, who lived from that time happily at home in their palace, except when they took airings in their coach with the three dapple-gray horses. Spruce'ly (sproos'li), in neat and trim fashion. STUDY HELPS What plan did the soldiers decide upon after they had lost all their magic gifts? Tell of the second soldier's adventure with the apples. How did the others find him, and how did they try to help him? What plan did he suggest to them for getting back the lost articles? Tell how the old soldier managed the affair. Why did he play the part of the doctor? Did the princess deserve the treatment she received? Are you glad it all turned out so well for the old soldiers? THE SPRING WALK THOMAS MILLER We had a pleasant walk to-day, Amid a hedge, where the first leaves Were peeping from their sheaths so shy, We saw four eggs within a nest, And they were blue as the summer's sky. An elder branch dipp'd in the brook; Nibbling and swimming round and round. Where daisies open'd to the sun, In a broad meadow, green and white, We saw upon the shady banks Anemones and primroses, And the blue violets of spring, And from the earth the plow turn'd up Sends forth from many a woodland dell. We saw the yellow wallflower wave And then we watch'd the busy rooks And leaning from the old stone bridge, We heard the speckle-breasted lark We saw young rabbits near the wood, We came back by the village fields, A pleasant walk it was across 'em, For all behind the houses lay The orchards red and white with blossom. Were I to tell you all we saw, I'm sure that it would take me hours; For the whole landscape was alive With bees, and birds, and buds, and flowers. Sheaths, coverings; cel'an dine (sěl'an din), a yellow-flowered plant; a něm'o ne, a kind of early spring flower; lily of the vale, same as the lily of the valley; rooks, black hoarse-voiced birds of the crow tribe; pheasant (fez'ant), a kind of game bird. STUDY HELPS At what time of year was this walk taken? Where does the first stanza tell you that they went? What is meant by the "first leaves peeping from their sheaths so shy"? What did they see in the brook? in a broad meadow? upon the shady banks? while listening to a plowman? at the moldering castle? at the old stone bridge? near the wood? in the village fields? Why are we not told all they saw? Make a list of all the living things named, and tell what each was doing. Make a list of all the flowers mentioned, with their colors. What "sweet refreshing smell" is mentioned? To what is it likened? Do you think these walkers saw more than people usually see when they take a walk? How do you explain it? THE SUMMER SHOWER THOMAS BUCHANAN READ Before the stout harvesters falleth the grain, But yonder aslant comes the silvery rain, Adown the white highway like cavalry fleet, It dashes the dust with its numberless feet. The wild birds sit listening the drops round them beat; And the boy crouches close to the blackberry wall. The swallows alone take the storm on their wing, Like pebbles the rain breaks the face of the spring, While a bubble darts up from each widening ring; And the boy in dismay hears the loud shower fall. But soon are the harvesters tossing their sheaves; The robin darts out from his bower of leaves; The wren peereth forth from the moss-covered eaves; And the rain-spattered urchin now gladly perceives That the beautiful bow bendeth over them all. Loi'ters, lingers, waits about; täunt'ing, jeering at; dis māy', a sinking of the spirits; ûr'chin, a mischievous boy. STUDY HELPS Picture the scene given in the first stanza. Describe the coming of the shower, and tell its effects on the wild birds, the boy, the swallows, and the laborers. Picture the scene when the shower had passed. Find four comparisons in the poem. What is the "beautiful bow" of the last line? How many times is the boy mentioned? What is told of him on each occasion? KING CANUTE WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY King Canute was weary hearted; he had reigned for years a score, Battling, struggling, pushing, fighting, killing much and robbing more; And he thought upon his actions, walking by the wild seashore. 'Twixt the Chancellor and Bishop walked the King with steps sedate, |