GRADATIM

JOSIAH GILBERT HOLLAND

Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819-1881) was an American poet and journalist. He was born on a Massachusetts farm, but studied medicine and afterward became editor of the "Springfield Republican. He was one of the founders of "Scribner's Monthly Magazine” and became its editor.

1

Heaven is not reached at a single bound,

But we build the ladder by which we rise
From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies,
And we mount to its summit round by round.

2

I count this thing to be grandly true,
That a noble deed is a step toward God,
Lifting the soul from the common clod
To a purer air and a fairer view.

3

We rise by the things that are under our feet,
By what we have mastered of good or gain;
By the pride deposed or the passion slain,
And the vanquished ills that we hourly meet.

HELPS TO STUDY
Notes and Questions

Where does the poet imagine the

foot of the ladder to be? How is the ladder built?

By what kind of deeds do we ascend this ladder?

What kind of actions cause us to slip back?

What foes does the third stanza

Abridged.

tell us we must conquer, if we wish to mount the ladder? Mention some noble deed of which you have read in this book.

What opportunities have boys and girls to do noble deeds?

Thomas Moore (1779-1852) was an Irish poet. He was born at Dublin and educated at Trinity College. He was a friend and classmate of Robert Emmet. He visited America, spending two years here. His poems are musical.

1

Those evening bells! those evening bells!
How many a tale their music tells,
Of youth, and home, and that sweet time.
When last I heard their soothing chime!

2

Those joyous hours are passed away;
And many a heart, that then was gay,
Within the tomb now darkly dwells,
And hears no more those evening bells.

3

And so 't will be when I am gone;
That tuneful peal will still ring on,

While other bards shall walk these dells,

And sing your praise, sweet evening bells!

HELPS TO STUDY

Notes and Questions

For what do you think the bells

which the poet praises were ringing?

Of what did they speak to him?

What words in the first stanza tell you that the bells rang sweetly and softly?

Francis Mahony (1804-1866) was an Irish poet and journalist. He was born at Cork and was educated for the priesthood in Paris and Rome. Afterward he gave up his calling and became a magazine writer. He wrote under the name of "Father Prouty."

1

With deep affection

And recollection

I often think of

Those Shandon bells,

Whose sound so wild would,

In the days of childhood,
Fling round my cradle

Their magic spells.

2

On this I ponder

Where'er I wander,

And thus grow fonder,

Sweet Cork, of thee,

With thy bells of Shandon

That sound so grand on

The pleasant waters

Of the river Lee.

3

I've heard bells chiming

Full many a clime in,
Tolling sublime in

Cathedral shrine,

While at a glib rate

Brass tongues would vibrate;

But all their music

Spoke naught like thine.

4

For memory, dwelling
On each proud swelling
Of thy belfry, knelling
Its bold notes free,
Made the bells of Shandon
Sound far more grand on

The pleasant waters

Of the River Lee.

5

I've heard bells tolling
Old Adrian's Mole in,
Their thunder rolling

From the Vatican,

And cymbals glorious
Swinging uproarious
In the gorgeous turrets
Of Notre Dame;

6

But thy sounds were sweeter

Than the dome of Peter

Flings o'er the Tiber

Pealing solemnly.