Some of us from the Latin-centered forum are memorizing poetry this summer. I will be attempting the poem from my previous post, "I Am Content", as well as, "Sonnet 116" by William Shakespeare, and the poem that follows here.
Waiting By the Gate by William Cullen Bryant
Beside a massive gateway built up in years gone by, Upon whose top the clouds in eternal shadow lie, While streams the evening sunshine on quiet wood and lea, I stand and calmly wait till the hinges turn for me.
The tree-tops faintly rustle beneath the breeze's flight, A soft and soothing sound, yet it whispers of the night; I hear the wood-thrush piping one mellow descant more, And scent the flowers that blow when the heat of day is o'er.
Behold, the portals open, and o'er the threshold, now, There steps a weary one with a pale and furrowed brow; His count of years is full, his allotted task is wrought; He passes to his rest from a place that needs him not.
In sadness then I ponder how quickly fleets the hour Of human strength amd action, man's courage and his power. I muse while still the wood-thrush sings down the golden day And as I look and listen the sadness wears away.
Again the hinges turn, and a youth, departing, throws A look of longing backward, and sorrowfully goes; A blooming maid, unbinding the roses from her hair, Moves mournfully away from amid the young and fair.
O glory of our race that so suddenly decays! O crimson flush of morning that darkens as we gaze! O breath of summer blossoms that on the restless air Scatters a moment's sweetness, and flies we know not where!
I grieve for life's bright promise, just shown and then withdrawn; But still the sun shines round me: the evening bird sings on. And I again am soothed, and, beside the ancient gate, In this soft evening sunlight, I calmly stand and wait.
Once more the gates are opened; an infant group go out, The sweet smile quenched forever, and stilled the sprightly shout, O frail, frail tree of Life, that upon the greensward strows Its fair yound buds unopened, with every wind that blows!
So, come from every region, so enter, side by side, The strong and faint of spirit, the meek and men of pride. Steps of earth's great and mighty, between them pillars gray, And prints of little feet, mark the dust along the way.
And some approach the threshold, whose looks are blank with fear, And some whose temples brighted with joy in drawing near, As if they saw dear faces, and caught the gracious eye Of Him, the Sinless Teacher, who came for us to die.
I mark the joy, the terror; yet these, within my heart, Can neither wake the dread nor the longing to depart; And in the sunshine streaming on quiet wood and lea, I stand and calmly wait till the hinges turn for me.
It's kind of fun how boards, blogs, and books are becoming so interrelated! I'm quite fond of yours being the old book lover that I am. We memorize a great deal of poetry around here and I truly love it and belive it is part of being a literate individual. I am ever amazed at how much more quickly the children learn it than I am able, what a precious gift.
We have implemented the Memory Work Box from the Simply Charlotte Mason board and it has been such a blessing. I very much like the one you are doing. We have been reading aloud late into the evenings these days and have finished the Hobbit. Now we are doing Norse Myths prior to delving (oh the joy!) into The Fellowship of the Rings for the first time with my girls. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
This blog is a look into our homeschooling journey as we use Tapestry of Grace. You'll also find stories from various books I have collected that are now in the public domain and real life slipping in occasionally. Most posts from the public domain books have a pdf that you may download and print. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
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Jun. 28, 2006 - Untitled Comment