NOTES ON POEMS 1. SIGH NO MORE, LADIES william Shakespeare (1564-1616) was born ‘Avon in an ordinary family. He is one of the world's tala dramatists and is remembered not only for the large number of plays he wrote but also for his deep understanding of human nature. He wrote histories, comedies and tragedies. The strength of his plays partly lies in his poetry. He also wrote a number of sonnets and perfected this form used earlier by Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Earl of Surrey. This song has been taken from one of his comedies, Much Ado About Nothing. Balthazar, who is a nobleman, is the singer of this song. Its appeal lies in its freshness and spontaneity, the theme of the song is not the inconstancy of women but those of men. The singer advises women not to shed tears in vain at the loss of a lover. He tells them their sorrow will not bring back his love; so why not be practical and reconcile themselves to the loss of an unfaithful person, who is perhaps not worth having? It is a song accompanied by music and the refrain is the same in both the stanzas. Notes Line 6 blithe ; Cheerful bonny : __ beautiful 7 woe : misery 9 ditties : songs 10 moe : — more. '0 dumps: —— gloominess of mind. 12 leavy : full of leaves. om2. ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST’S NATIVITY m vas born in London, in the family of a See anes his education at Christ’s College, Se ege-and wrote some of his early poems in Latin and Italian, Milton’s domestic life was happy, but his literary career was subjected to many fluctuations because of the civil war in England. He devoted his most productive years to political writings in prose. Aeropagitica is his passionate defence of freedom and truth. In 1651, he lost his eyesight but not his poetical power. His great epic Paradise Lost came to the public eye only in 1667. This was followed by Paradise Ragained and Samson Agonistes. Milton wrote this stately Ode in his twenty-first year while he was still at Cambridge. In order to derive the maximum enjoyment out of it, one should read it aloud and try to capture the harmony of its imagery and sound. The Prologue sets the theme: how Christ’s mission of redeeming mankind from its sin led him to choose “with us a darksome house of mortal clay.” The poet offers his song as 2 welcome to the child Christ. Then follows a description of the winter night when the birth took place. The present extract consists of the first five stanzas of The Hymn. Hymin as a form of poetry is quite distinct from the song in that it embodies religious and sacred emotion. It is also called sacred lyric. Hymn has been described as “a song tinged with religious feelings. It is the expression of religious emotion, absence of self-consciousness, simplicity of thought and expression and @ metrical form which allows the repetition of a tune that renders it different from popular lyric,” In the present extract, Milton assiduously conforms to the requirements of a hymn. Spellings have been modernised to facilitate reading. Notes Line 1. winter wild : Milton excelled in. the use of this poetic device. The use of the adjective after the noun renders the phrase beautiful.‘SION +10NS pr atic nota! ii er wrapped > eet: a food-trough for horses ang goffed : took off. (It was winter, s4 nen” gaudy dress.) ” 80 Nature had no paramour: lover a The metaphor continues. The Earth : Earth has hidden her guilty front and from her Maker (Christy va mantle of snow. oe + olive green: Peace, personified as goddess, j supposed to carry an olive branch. - : The coming of Christ i a som era of wales pe the beginning of an Stanza IV: Spear, shield, chariot, trumpet—all signify war, os the coming of Christ has rendered them idle. 10. Prince of = one of the epithets of Jesus Christ. light ll. whist : became silent. 12. rave: Even the sea has forgotten to rave and has become mild in its movement. 3. WHEN I CONSIDER LIFE ucated at Westminster and John Dryde 631-1700) was edi E eed ; 1658 that he wrote bis at Trinity College, Cambridge. It was in an on the death of Cromwell in ss he ae € heroic couplet. John Dryden was dominant 1. 4 literary maven of his ie He was poet, playwright am a His works consist of many translations and the Essay ere Poesy. He did not bring to poetry any MYSIEM oon power clevation ; instead, he brought satire, incisiveness i of ridicule. Dryden is known as a poet of public s 4 freed Poetry from the sublime heights of MiltonWoEvuno Ut" EXPREGE ON 0 101 nate confessions of Donne. He brought to it a Sense of the Pese egoand ofthe impersonal Ee nt piece is an extract from his Aureng-Zebe (Ac Vv The preset de is a commonplace one : the poet laments ie Scene f human beings who fail to see through the delusion of hope folly i on hoping for better things to come. There is no evidence a sans will be better, but mankind continues to believe in the possibility of happiness. Notes Line 3. repay : (verb) reward. 5. blest : blessed. 7. cozenage : deceit. 9. dregs of life : vile and dirty things of life. ll. chymic: alchemic, i.e. counterfeit, false. 12. beggars us : leaves us in want. 4. ON THE RECEIPT OF MY MOTHER’S PICTURE his Pee Re (1731-1800) was born in Heartfordshire where he was sent to ee When he lost his mother at the age of six, oarding school. He was an unusually sensitive child and prone to eriods i pee ae Is of depression and mental imbalance when crating f the Unwins and when Men is panels lasting friendship with Mrs. Unwin until her death, He iP, continued to live with continued to do so icone ae peu cde writing sinadl 790-808 Task is hi ‘ods of melan i simplciy ofthis set Po" 884 doesnot have the cher and influenced him Poems. The religious revival led by Wesle’ itporeta greatly and he wrote a number, ival led by Wesley int for another reason : hig contribution on cant lO ie Roman!ae Fae ic taiy re ee ANNOTATIONS lol ment. By the use of simple dicti i ahs he broke away from the crate nN ent eae Gray and Collins, as he did in choosing silject cae ca s intensely personal This poem was written between 1790, Ann Bodham, his first cousin, eee sen ier and sent it t0 him, The thoughts and jeri Mee hee picture awakened in the poet are recorded here. The - ees and the anguish of the six-year old child living in the ea ee meeting his mother again wins over the reader’s heart een es Crewper was nearing his sixtieth bieth-day when he composed this poem. It is remarkable how vividly he has recollected emotions of his childhood. Notes Line 4, solaced : comforted. 7, meek : humble. 11. faithful : refers to the accurate picture of the remembrancer mother. 16. precept : something told by way of teaching. 17. filial grief : grief of a child for his parents. 18. Elysian : of Elysium, i.e. Paradise. reverie day-dream. 23. hover’d : moved around. 24. wretch : (noun) miserable person. 29. hearse : funeral carriage for coffin. 36. at my concern : — for my sorrow. 3S. ardently : keenly. 41. dupe : victim or fool. 3 44. submission to : resignation to ™Y suffering. re my lot . deplor’d : regretted. 50, Laat : a plittering thing of little worth. SI. mantle : gown.wz 60. bounties + gifts. 66. cataracts + waterfalls. brakes + bushes. il: weak. a oak : disliked; looked down upon. 75. vesture’s tissued : the soft, semi-transparent flowers flowers woven in the garment of the mother. 76. jessamine : jasmine flower. 86-87. The poet thinks that he cannot pay back the debt of gratitude to his mother by simply putting her picture in a frame. 5. LORD ULLIN’S DAUGHTER Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) was a native of Glasgow. He aed his poem Pleasure of Hope at the age of twenty-two. The oe - the eighteenth century saw the revival of the literary’ = eet of personal emotion. Campbell used them both ae ect. He has the quality of evoking pathos by his of simple words and sentimental episodes. ‘Lord Ullin’: ae mae Ee ae is a ballad and has for its subject the form, a sort of a eres who are united in death. The ballad the thirteenth century ies composition, was very popular during was its most popular ee = of family feuds, Ancie is) x “ » Bishop Perch’s at deci Eni Pc hemi oie bead to, Seeds ewih nem choice confronting the young girl s dramatic effect is ¢ Or StvOKES; Not a Word is w: “ss nhanced. asted and thus thennot -ATIONS a Notes pine 5 tarry ® ree ‘ ferry? boat, 7, isle? (short for) island, I glen! narrow valley. 2 peather ? shrub growing on heath, is, bonny # fine, comely. 17. hardy * strong wight : person. 20. winsome ¢ charming. 2). bonny bir dear lady. water-wraith : the spirit of water. 26. 27. scowl of heaven: dreadful storm. 30. drearier + more dreadful. 35. raging : stormy and loud. 40, prevailing : advancing. 43, fatal : deadly. 44, wailing : weeping. 45, sore dismay’d : full of dejection. 56. lamenting : crying in grief. 6. LUCY William Wordsworth (1770-1850), the oldest of the Roman Pets, recived his education at st. John’s College, Cambrides ie a great influence on him was the revolutionary mov Aree Tance which first inspired him to great heights of idealist worth and later left him with a sense of depression in 95. Wo Met Coleridge and both poets spent @ great deal of te went 10 1798, the year of the Lyrical Ballads, both friends_OCOanrn— . COLOURS OF EXPRESSION Wordsworth wrote his ‘Lucy’ Poems ical poem, @ history of the growth of 4. This was revised on @ number of occasions and fer the poet died. are five in number. They illustrate the poet's ic diction described in his Preface to Lyrical Ballads. He combines simplicity of diction and style with sudden dramatic turns, He depends for his poetic effects on repetitions. In the third lyric of this series, Lucy is already dead and the poet is left all alone. The fourth poem is in a different metre and explores the relationship between Nature and the innocent Lucy. There are various theories about the origin of this character and the psychic ‘need of the poet to confront the fact of Lucy’s death, but none of these theories has any substantial proof from the poet’s life, and, in ‘any case, they do not affect our understanding of the poems. 104 s in this year that it wat is an at obit The Prelude is the poet's min was published only al The ‘Lucy’ poems Notes Line 2 10. lea: ee: IL. high : eae: 4 15. cot : i 18. boon : ree 20, descending : + The moon that j 39. was goin, wheel ; Pence going downwards. 55-56. The Eee yn feels ee after the death of Luey. pulse ; Nature wanted to educate Lucy in such a way as to control her , encourage her noble — and to 66. glade : 68. kindle or; pe USSY SPace in a forest era ‘o incite or check, | Sportive ; 70. glee : Playful 71, mute’: ee, Insensate ; lifelessNOTES ON STORIES 1. THE TELL -TALE HEART Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) born of actor-parents became A orphan in early childhood and was brought up by a neighbour John Allan, who appears to have reaped little satisfaction OF gratitude from Poe for his kindness. Allan, sorely tired by Poe’s extravagane refused to pay his gambling debts, whereupon the delinquent vanished to Boston, and joined the West Point Military Academy. No man could hee ee fi d f r military duties and discipline than Poe. He so assiduo neglected his work that he was dismissed, Poe now endeavoured to make his own living and wrote poems and short stories. 74 Led Jaf te ted Poe’s work reflects the unhappiness of his life and the unrest of his soul. His short stories like ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’, “The Masque of the Red Death’ and ‘The Golden Bug? illustrate his inclination towards the mysterious. His aim was to create a clammy atmosphere ofl sion, in which one breathes heavily. as in 8 fos the fe pit i 3 @xhalations—in a region of desolation, death an ‘car of impending calamity, ee rita Heart’ is a study in mental obsession. The ae a deg ed With the pale-blue eyes of the old man an Proves no eae effort to remove the cause. But the mu te eitating A fresh obsession overtakes him, this es When hie on the beating of the heart. Relief comes oe the Sil wth wiigh vs Sit before the police, Nothing can sus ‘ntl the reader ig thle a an atmosphere of horror is ¢ ‘ ugh every nerve.(oTATIONS nora x Notes m % That which betrays someth tell-tale * secret ME meant to be kept : as chilled ‘ ay boot # I was chilled with fear; terribly frightened ct Iment or disgui simulation > concealment or disguise under a fei ae appearance. mene angie keenness and soundness of j city * of judgment; ie coe shrewdness. Sment, penetration, ; laughed in a suppressed m: 4 et huckled = z u anner; made inart : signs of exultation. islets stifled + suppressed. overcharged : overcome with fear distracted : confused. with awe stalked : went stealthily towards him for the purpose of killing. enveloped : covered; overpowered. crevice : a little hole. chilled the very marrow in my bones : I was overcome with fear. lattoo : beating, thumping or rapping. It is a drum-beat in general, as a means of raising an alarm, attracting attention. betel : wrapped up so as to deaden the sound. cantli % eae : pieces of wood. ry: careful; cautious. 2. THE MODEL MILLIONAIRE Oscar Wi ‘ matist and story- ‘ ild is h poet, dramal Write, le (1854-1900), an Irish po eaaalit of Europe ) Was a ; the inte Powerful influence on His brilliant plays and i MB the Closing years of the last century-112 COLOURS OF EXP poems suggest originality of approach and €xperimentati lc ideas. Although there is not much of lasting value ic ney brilliant and subtle style and their artistry of Perfectio, eM, the master-mind behind them. Wilde is best remembered for meee . of Dorian Gray, and his witty, sparkling comedies which Pictng Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance ang te Importance of being Earnest. However, his most re : were the Ballad of Reading Gaol and De Profundis Written his imprisonment in 1895. Markable ork: after Wilde’s gifted and fertile mind produced a number of Stories which make interesting reading. In them, we have a wealth of imagery, the writer’s sincerity of emotions and his brilliant analysis of human motives. Some of his well-known stories are ‘The Selfish Giant’, “The Nightingale and the Rose’ and ‘The Canterville Ghost’ “The Model Millionaire’ is a story with a happy ending. The windfall of £10,000 which enables Hughie to marry Laura Merton is -a surprise as strong and fascinating as the attempt of Baron Hausberg to pose for the artist in the tattered clothes of a beggar. The millionaire’s generosity is the climax of the sincerity of love whose ultimate triumph is celebrated in the story. Notes Profile ; side-view, especially of the face. The Peninsular War : The war fought between Great Britain, Spain and Portugal on the one hand and France on the other in the eee Peninsula during the years 1808-1814. bull and bears ; Persons who ist ieitores up prices of Stocks and persons who sell! stock for future delivery hoping before then to buy it cheap,ANNOTATIONS 113 A trouvai trouvaille, mon cher : (French) a fine piece of good luck, my dear fellow. hock and seltzer : German white wine and aerated mineral water consumed alone or mixed with spirits. a chacun son metier : (French) each man to his own job. que voulez-vous ? La fantaise d’un millionaire ! : (French) What do you want ? A millionaire’s fancy or whim ? st argent des autres : (French) His business is other people’s money. (French) on behalf of. son affaire c’e de la part de:NOTES ON ESSAYS 1. PRAYER + { 1948) has been rightly called a saint See Se antin Lr saints. In fact, no character eae a than Gandhi has appeared in the 20th century. In his mee heen known the world over as a leader whose power Hyrin the force of his personality and his lofty ideals. Alber Einstein, the great scientist, said about him that after a few centuries people would never believe that such a one ever walked the earth in flesh and blood. Gandhiji, as he is respectfully called, had firm faith in the efficacy of prayer for self-purification. This discourse was given by him to the inmates of the Wardha Ashram. In this extract, Mahatma Gandhi draws a distinction between two types of prayers—petitional prayer and prayer for inward communion. The urge to get in tune with the Infinite is a specific human instinct and to realize one’s humanity one must hold to the sheet-anchor of prayer. The discourse is particularly pertinent in modern times when man is in constant quest of some faith that can give significance to his rootless and disintegrated life. Notes agnostic : i i i gnostic : one who neither believes in nor denies the existence of God. Prayer to gain something. to lose all strength. Petitional ; 80 to pieces ; 2. MY CHILDHOOD Jawaharlal modern India. Fen Gate 1964) may be called the architect of eft an abiding impression on the pages ofSION aint cter his wer ein, ple esh 1e rATIONS ANNOT: a history. One of the greatest minds of his age, his life and work will be a shining example for generations to come. As a writer of English prose, Jawaharlal Nehru is one of those few Indians who wielded the English language with the ease and felicity of an Englishman. His Glimpses of World History, though a little outdated, shows the range and sweep of a historian who not only wrote history but also lived it. His Discovery of India is a monumental work that presents a kaleidoscopic succession of events that have been played in the theatre of India for three thousand years. His Autobiography from which the present extract is taken presents to us a fascinating personality with a sensitive mind In this extract, Nehru describes his childhood, the atmosphere of the home, in which he was brought up, the awe and respect in which he held his father, and the cultural milieu in which he attained his youth and maturity. The language employed is simple and lucid, smooth and flowing without any jerks or jolts. Notes Eurasians : half-caste Europeans in India. claret : the name of a wine. mortification : humiliation ptite : French word meaning ‘small’—in a charming way. old-time lore : stories of old times. silken alums : ‘Alum’ is Arabic for ‘flag’ domesticity : dull routine of domestic life. 3. JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY ar Nehru presented his credentials Kennedy as India’s he seventh envoy to In September 1961, Braj Kum: from the President of India to President John F. new Ambassador to the United States. He was t124 COLOUR 1947 when Ir be sent by our country since State. Nehru carried on the high traditions set he ably interpreted India’s basic policies to Americans contributed to the consolidation of Indo--American ; essay, the distinguished diplomat who had the Opportunity ™ in close contact with John Kennedy, presents a portrait th leader and appraises his role as national and world loucdee & describes Kennedy’s work for his own country and h contribution to all mankind. He pays a glowing tribute to Kenmed r vision “which went far beyond his own nation and embraced yr whole human race.” The essay presents a Tepresentative example of modem biography written by a person who has been in the thick - things. It is an objective assessment of a man’s achievement written without any prejudice, but not without feeling. AP Notes ' Fe American Declaration of Independence : a lofty, eloquent expression of the American mind, written by Jefferson and passed by the American ‘Congress on July 4, 1776. The Declaration guarantees life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to every citizen. Uncommitted World : countries which have not aligned themselves with any power bloc. Alliance for Progress : an association of the countries of Lae America formed to improve the economic conditions in these countries. Inaugural Address : the Address that Kennedy delivered was sworn in as the President of the States. witty, clever retort. without preparation. hen he united repartee : im promptu 3