Describe the second meeting with the leper.
How much of this story was a dream? Explain why you think so.
With what line does Lowell begin the account of Sir Launfal"s vision?
What effect did the dream or vision have upon Sir Launfal?
What do you think is the great lesson of this poem?
Of whom is Sir Launfal a type?
What does the cold grim castle represent?
Find lines in the prelude to Part First which show the first stirring of Sir Launfal"s spiritual nature. What influences prompted this?
Why did Lowell choose a leper to confront Sir Launfal?
Words and Phrases for Discussion.
"We Sinais climb and know it not"
"Behold it is here--the Grail in my castle here is found"
"With our faint hearts the mountain strives"
"Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune"
"For a G.o.d goes with it"
"Himself the Gate whereby men can Enter the temple of G.o.d in Man"
"She entered with him in disguise"
"He must be fenced with stronger mail"
YUSSOUF
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL
A stranger came one night to Yussouf"s tent, Saying, "Behold one outcast and in dread, Against whose life the bow of power is bent, Who flies, and hath not where to lay his head; I come to thee for shelter and for food, To Yussouf, called through all our tribes "The Good.""
"This tent is mine," said Yussouf, "but no more Than it is G.o.d"s; come in, and be at peace; Freely shalt thou partake of all my store As I of His who buildeth over these Our tents His glorious roof of night and day, And at whose door none ever yet heard "Nay.""
So Yussouf entertained his guest that night, And, waking him ere day, said: "Here is gold; My swiftest horse is saddled for thy flight; Depart before the prying day grow bold."
As one lamp lights another, nor grows less, So n.o.bleness enkindleth n.o.bleness.
That inward light the stranger"s face made grand, Which shines from all self-conquest; kneeling low, He bowed his forehead upon Yussouf"s hand,
Sobbing: "O, Sheik, I cannot leave thee so; I will repay thee; all this thou hast done Unto that Ibrahim who slew thy son!"
"Take thrice the gold," said Yussouf, "for with thee Into the desert, never to return, My one black thought shall ride away from me; First-born, for whom by day and night I yearn, Balanced and just are all of G.o.d"s decrees; Thou art avenged, my first-born, sleep in peace!"
HELPS TO STUDY.
Notes and Questions.
Where do you think the scene of this poem was laid? Give the reason for your answer.
What do you know of the habits of people who live in tents?
What virtues would men living in this way most admire? Why?
How do you think Yussouf had won his t.i.tle of "The Good"?
To what does the stranger compare himself?
What does the bending of the bow signify?
To what tribes does the stranger refer?
What do you learn of Yussouf"s character from the second and third stanzas?
What emotions made the stranger"s face "grand"?
What do you suppose Yussouf"s "one black thought" had been?
How did he avenge his son?
When does Yussouf show himself most n.o.ble?
Words and Phrases for Discussion.
"prying day"
"self-conquest"
"n.o.bleness enkindleth n.o.bleness"
"for whom by day and night I yearn"
SIDNEY LANIER
Sidney Lanier is a poet of the South who year by year appeals to a larger number of lovers of good literature. He was born in Georgia of Huguenot and Scotch ancestry and when only a small lad showed great talent and love for music. His mother encouraged him in this, and from beginning with clapping bones it was not long before he learned to play on the guitar, banjo, violin, and flute. On the Christmas when he was seven years old he was given a small one-keyed flute, and from that time on the flute became his favorite instrument. When he grew to manhood he became first flutist in the Baltimore orchestra. So pa.s.sionately fond was he of music that he could scarcely decide between that and poetry as his choice for a profession.
He was graduated from a Georgia college at the age of eighteen, and in the following year, 1861, he enlisted in the Southern army. His younger brother, Clifford, of whom he was very fond, also enlisted, and when opportunities for promotion came to both they declined rather than be separated. They engaged in many battles, but Sidney Lanier found time, even during the war, to continue his study. In 1864 he was taken prisoner, while doing duty as a signal officer, and spent five months in Point Lookout prison. He came home from the hardships of war broken in health, so that from that time on his life was one fierce struggle against disease.