The following song is omitted from Canto VI., following 1. 89: V. SOLDIER'S SONG Our vicar still preaches that Peter and Poule Laid a swinging long curse on the bonny brown bowl, Yet whoop, Barnaby! off with thy liquor, Our vicar he calls it damnation to sip 90 95 The ripe ruddy dew of a woman's dear lip, Says that Beelzebub lurks in her kerchief so sly, And Apollyon shoots darts from her merry black eye; 100 Our vicar thus preaches, and why should he not? Sweet Marjorie 's the word, and a fig for the vicar! BY CORNELIA BEARE Instructor in English, High School, White Plains, N. Y. REFERENCES.-Story of Scott's life as given in Pancoast's English Literature; Painter's English Literature, especially Scott's stay in the Highlands as told in Painter's history of the times; Scott's Tales of a Grandfather, chap. 26-28; Lockhart's Memoirs of Scott; chap. 19, 20 of the biography. Make a map of that section of Perthshire where the scene is laid. Locate on it each place mentioned, as you come to it; follow the course of the hunt, in red ink, on your map, starting from Sterling. CANTO 1 Introduction or dedication:-How does the form of these stanzas differ from the form of the body of the poem? For what does the Harp of the North stand? What makes this an especially fit dedication for such a poem? What part did the minstrel have in oldtime life? (The minstrels of Greece, troubadours of France, Welsh harpers, Alfred's trip to the camp of the Danes, Blondel and King Richard, the Lay of the Last Minstrel.) Read carefully each stanza of the introduction, then write in your own words, as simply as possible, what you think each means. What others of Scott's poems might share this introduction or dedication? Tell, from Scott's introduction to the poem, his method of making his geographical setting accurate. From the story of his life, explain where he gathered his vast store of Scotch, especially Highland, traditions and superstitions. From the Tales of a Grandfather, explain why King James is in Sterling. What is the alleged object of the hunt? The real object? In (1) the sun is said to kindle his beacon. What is a beacon? its use? its fitness as a term for sunrise and at this time and place? What idea of the country do you get from the story of the hunt? What part of the chase do you think hardest? (Consult your map for this.) Do you think "the foremost huntsman was leader by chance or from the start? Compare (3) and (7 and 8) for the start and finish of the hunt. Explain all the terms used of weapons, etc., in the story. For whom does Scott rouse more sympathy, stag or huntsman? What was his own feeling toward animals? Illustrate. Write very simply and clearly a paraphrase of stanzas 11-14, making the picture so clear that one who had never seen the place would have a clear idea of it. All this description, especially the latter part, is used as a frame for the picture of the lady of the lake who now appears. Show how the frame harmonizes with the picture. What attributes does Scott dwell on in his description of Ellen? Read carefully, then write, the description of the hunter. What inferences as to rank, etc., from the description? Is his picture a fit mate for Ellen's? What hint in 22-23 of Highland superstition? What is shown of Highland life and customs from his entertainment at the lodge? Why are the lodge and its approaches so carefully concealed? What additional inference from the concealment of their names? What is the effect of the accident of the sword's fall upon the tone of the story? What is shown of Highland hospitality? Would the hospitality have been the same without Allan iii Bane's vision? What keynote is struck for the story in the lost hunter, the mysterious maid, the hidden lodge, the ill omens? (For description of a Highland retreat, see Stevenson's Kidnapped, chap. 23.) CANTO 2 Note that each Canto begins with one or more stanzas (Spenserian stanzas) serving as prelude. Explain meaning of term canto. Compare Allan's song with Ellen's of the previous night. What is the theme of each? Is there any similarity? Is Ellen's self-reproach justified as she bids Allan sing of the Graeme? Where and when has Malcolm Graeme been mentioned before? What do you learn of him? What was there, the previous evening, to make this action of Allan's harp still more awe-inspiring? Read twice 8-12, then write very carefully the story of the fall of the House of Douglas. Compare it with the account in Tales of a Grandfather. What impression is given of Roderick in 12-15? Are you prepared to admire him? Why? What is the effect of his entry just here? How does his introduction compare with that of Fitz-James? Which man do you prefer? Why? Does Ellen's reluctance to join the welcome seem natural? What accounts for it? Explain their relations. Does Douglas seem vainglorious as he speaks of his past? Why? How does this speech fit with what Allan has said to Ellen? How does Malcolm compare with the men already introduced? What has gone before which prepares you for the rivalry between him and Roderick, spoken of in (25)? From what you see of Malcolm, would he have done as told in (26) for any but Ellen's father? Why? How would Roderick act in his place? Explain from this and Canto 1 Highland hospitality, its demands and its extent. State the various things, from the moment of his arrival, that led Roderick to his breach of hospitality. In (28) what explanation for the circumstances of Canto 1? What makes the situation doubly serious? Is your sympathy with King or Highlanders? Why? What danger from Malcolm's act, from the fact that he is a royal ward? What do you think of Douglas' proposal in (29)? of Roderick's defiance? Is Roderick doing all for Ellen, or part for himself? What is the effect on your estimate of Douglas, of his refusal to coerce Ellen or to fight against the King? What caused Roderick the deepest grief? Defend your answer from his character. Do you sympathize with him? Admire him? Reasons for both answers. Is there any excuse for his savage attack on Malcolm? What taunts does he use to sting Malcolm? Which is the keenest? What effect is produced by the manner of Malcolm's departure? What do you learn of him in (37)? Effect of this on your feeling toward him? Write an account of him, explaining who he is, his circumstances, position, acts, character, your estimate of him as a whole. CANTO 3 Write a paraphrase, in simple words, of the introductory stanzas. Show how the scene fits the occasion. What effect is produced? What have you seen of Highland superstition, before this, in the poem? Give description and history of Brian the Hermit, showing how he fits his place in the story. Read carefully (8-11), then give exact account of the making of the fiery cross, explaining the significance of each detail. Where has Malise figured before this? Trace Malise's journey with the cross, and its further course, through Breadalbane. What is the significance of the incidents described in its journey? How does such a courier suit such a chief? and leader, commenting on his plans. Criticize Roderick as a soldier rick Mead for the mustering-place? (Consult map.) Explain the natural and other advantages of Douglas' place of retreat. Locate it. How does the place fit its reputation? What effect on your estimate of Roderick, of his halt to listen to Ellen's song? Why is scene of (31) placed immediately after this? CANTO 4 Where did you last hear of Malise? Show on the map where he has been. What is the result of his journey? What seems to be his office? Criticize Roderick's plan for the women and feeble of the clan. How does the Taghairm fit with the cross and its journey? How do they fit Roderick's nature? What is Roderick's plan for fulfilling the prophecy? What is the effect of this plan on your feeling for him and for the Highlanders? Give, in detail, Malise's news, and its effect on Roderick's plan for action. Criticize Roderick's choice of the Trosachs for his attack. Compare it with Benledi. Has the evil foretold by sword and harp come true? What is the effect of this on your belief in the Taghairm? Criticize Douglas' plan of action in leaving Ellen and going to Sterling. Does the ballad of Alice Brand seem out of place? Has it anything in harmony with the circumstances? Knowing what you do of Roderick's plans, what is the effect of Fitz-James' arrival? Does the clan know of his coming? What danger that neither he nor Ellen knows? How does he bear disappointment? How do you feel toward him, as compared with first impressions? What is the effect of his attitude toward Blanche of Devan? How does it compare with Ivanhoe's toward Rebecca? What is the effect of the story of Blanche on your feeling toward Roderick, the Highland cause, the King? How is the Taghairm fulfilled? Do you regret Murdoch's death? Why? How does Fitz-James bear himself in the meeting with the Highlander? What new light on Highland hospitality? ances (8). CANTO 5 What is the theme of the introductory stanza? What is its application? State concisely the grievances of the Highlanders as stated by the stranger. Which are just? Which excuse their raids and such episodes as Blanche's? State Roderick's grievances, and the effect on your feeling toward him. Do they seem sufficient for his course of action? Compare them with Fitz-James' personal grievIn (9) and (10) which do you admire more? Why? Your opinion of Roderick's act in conducting Fitz-James to the ford. If Roderick should take the offer in (13), would the clan follow? Would you wish him to? Why? Explain his scorn of the Taghairm, in the face of his past belief. Would you prefer him to win the duel? Why? Compare the two as seen here. In Fitz-James' manner toward de Vaux and Herries, what hint of his rank? What picture of Sterling and its surroundings in (18)? Why is the moment of his discovery of the Douglas peculiarly unfit? What is the effect of Douglas soliloquy on your estimate of the King? Criticize his plan to take part in the games. How might the King regard it? Compare these sports with the yeomanry sports at the tournament in Ivanhoe. Why does Scott choose the incident of Lufra as the moment for Douglas' outbreak? Explain the effect of Douglas' speech on the crowd; on the King. Which shows better, King orexile? What has been the effect in your feeling toward Douglas of his |