No, Heaven be thanked! And here you see More difference 'twixt the king and me.

He has his fools, with jests and quips,

When he'd play;

He has his armies and his ships -
Great are they;

But not a child to kiss his lips

Well-a-day!

And that's a difference sad to see
Betwixt my lord the king and me.

I wear the cap and he the crown
What of that?

I sleep on straw and he on down
What of that?

And he's the king and I'm the clown

What of that?

If happy I, and wretched he,

Perhaps the king would change with me.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

1. Which of these three poems expresses best your idea of contentment and happiness?

2. Name a few of the "simple" wants of Holmes. What want would he

probably change if he were writing the poem now? Does he use the word "want" in the same way that Lyon uses it (see p. 292)? 3. Explain with the help of the glossary: mortgage, note of hand, railroad share, easy gait, Titian, Raphael, Turner, vellum, cameo, Stradivarius, meerschaum, Midas' golden touch. How does the meaning of these terms help one to enjoy "Contentment"?

4. Make a list of the words and expressions in "Differences" and in "Ike Walton's Prayer" which you do not understand from the way they are used in the poems. Consult the glossary for the meaning of these terms and be prepared to use them correctly in original

sentences.

5. What was the most costly want of Holmes? The least costly? What seems to have been the chief desire of Ike Walton? How can you tell?

6. What effect does Holmes wish to produce by the use of italics? By the use of the dash? What is Mackay's purpose in using the question so often?

7. Contrast the first statement in each stanza of "Contentment" with the rest of the stanza. Point out similar contrasts in other parts of the poem. What was Holmes's purpose in making these contrasts? Point out three uses of contrast in "Differences." Compare these poems in this respect with O'Reilly's "A Builder's Lesson" (p. 207; see especially "Antithesis, or Contrast," p. 209).

8. What is the chief difference between the poems of Holmes and Riley? Which of the two does Mackay's most resemble?

9. Tell three differences between the king and the clown mentioned by Mackay. Explain whether these differences always exist or need to exist. Compare with "The Miller of the Dee" (Book One, p. 335); with "The Heritage" (ibid., p. 593).

10. Which poem in "Finding Enjoyment" (Book One, pp. 237-340) is most like "Differences"? Which poem in "Making Homes" (ibid., pp. 1-119) is most like "Ike Walton's Prayer"?

II. Choose one of the three poems to read aloud before the class. Before you read, decide what words to emphasize, what parts to read rapidly or slowly, where to pause during the reading, and what inflection to give your voice at the end of statements and questions. In short, read the poem so as to bring out the thought and feeling of the author.

7. MOSES SELLS THE COLT

OLIVER GOLDSMITH

As we were now to hold up our heads a little higher in the world, it was thought proper to sell the colt at a neighboring fair, and buy us a horse that would carry single or double, and make a pretty appearance at church or upon a visit.

As the annual fair happened on the following day, I had intentions of going myself; but my wife persuaded me that I had a cold, and nothing could prevail upon her to permit me to go from home. "No, my dear," said she, "our son Moses is a discreet boy, and can buy and sell to a very good advantage; you know all our great bargains are of his purchasing. He always stands and actually tires them till he gets a bargain."

As I had some opinion of my son's prudence, I was willing enough to intrust him with this commission, and the next morning I perceived his sisters busy in fitting out Moses for the fair; trimming his hair, brushing his buckles, and cocking his hat with pins. This business being over, we had at last the satisfaction of seeing him mounted upon the colt, with a box before him in which to bring home groceries.

He had on a coat made of that cloth they call "thunder-andlightning," which though grown too short was much too good to be thrown away. His waistcoat was of gosling green, and his sisters had tied his hair with a broad black ribbon. We all followed him several paces from the door, bawling after him, "Good luck! good luck!" till we could see him no longer.

When it was almost nightfall, I began to wonder what could keep our son so long at the fair.

"Never mind our son," cried my wife; "depend upon it, he knows what he is about. I'll warrant we'll never see him sell his hen of a rainy day. I have seen him buy such bargains as would amaze one. I'll tell you a good story about that, that will make you split your sides with laughing. But, as I live, yonder comes Moses without a horse, and the box at his back."

As she spoke, Moses came slowly on foot, and sweating under the box, which he had strapped round his shoulders like a pedler.

"Welcome, welcome, Moses! Well, my boy, what have you brought us from the fair?"

"I have brought you myself," said Moses, with a sly look, and resting the box on the dresser.

"Ay, Moses," cried my wife, "that we know; but where is the horse?"

"I have sold him," replied Moses, "for three pounds five shillings and twopence."

"Well done, my good boy," returned she; "I knew you would touch them off. Between ourselves, three pounds five shillings and twopence is no bad day's work. Come, let us have it then."

"I have brought back no money," cried Moses again; "I have laid it all out in a bargain - and here it is," pulling out a bundle from his breast; "here they are a gross of green spectacles, with silver rims and shagreen cases."

"A gross of green spectacles!" repeated my wife, in a faint voice. "And you have parted with the colt, and brought us back nothing but a gross of paltry green spectacles !"

"Dear mother," cried the boy, "why won't you listen to reason? I had them at a great bargain, or I should not have bought them. The silver rims alone will sell for double the money."

"A fig for the silver rims !" cried my wife in a passion. "I dare say they won't sell for above half the money at the rate of broken silver, five shillings an ounce."

"You need be under no uneasiness," said I, "about selling the rims, for they are not worth sixpence, for I perceive they are only copper varnished over."

"What!" cried my wife, "not silver! the rims not silver!". "No," said I; "no more silver than your saucepan.'

"And so," returned she, "we have parted with the colt, and have got only a gross of green spectacles with copper rims and shagreen cases! The blockhead has been imposed upon, and should have known his company better."

"There, my dear," said I, "you are wrong; he should not have known them at all."

"To bring me such stuff!" returned she; "if I had them, I would throw them into the fire."

"There again you are wrong, my dear," said I; "for though