A LIFE LESSON* There! little girl, don't cry! And your play-house, too, Are things of the long ago; But childish troubles will soon pass by.- There! little girl, don't cry! Of your school-girl days But life and love will soon come by.— There! little girl, don't cry! They have broken your heart, I know; Of your youthful dreams But Heaven holds all for which you sigh.- SUGGESTIVE EXERCISES 1. What picture is given in the first stanza? 2. What consolation? 3. What period of life is dealt with in stanza two? 4. Explain "life and love will soon come by." 5. Then what shall soothe the grief at this time? 6. What next period is interpreted? 7. What consolations for grief in age? 8. What then does Riley represent to be the world's attitude toward grief? 9. What deeper note of consolation for suffering and grief is sounded in this poem? From Riley Child Rhymes, copyright, 1905. Used by special permission of the publishers, The Bobbs-Merrill Company. A LIFE LESSON 135 REFERENCES HENRY VAUGHN: The Retreat. JOHN BURROUGHS: Waiting. LOWELL: The First Snowfall. WHITTIER: The Eternal Goodness. The Barefoot Boy. THE LIGHTS OF LONDON TOWN H GEORGE R. SIMS EART-broken, worn, and weary, a man and woman return from the great city to their native village in the country districts of England. They had fought in vain against penury and want, and, defeated, they now return heartsick to the humble little home whence as mere lad and lassie, blithe of spirit, they followed the gleaming lights of London Town in search of fame and fortune. To young people raised in rural districts or in small villages, the great city has many allurements. The broad walks, finely paved streets, magnificent buildings, brilliant lights, fast-moving vehicles, and surging multitudes, enchant and charm. The ambitious country lad longs to enter the mad current of life, to make vast fortunes, and to rise to places of highest honor, little dreaming of the tireless struggles, dire hardships, and perchance the defeats, in store. In this poem, every reader who has seen visions or dreamed dreams is fully disenchanted. All glitter and gloss is removed. Every young person who longs for life in a great city should read this message thoughtfully and resolve to face stern realities wherever he may seek to do his life work. THE LIGHTS OF LONDON TOWN 137 THE LIGHTS OF LONDON TOWN The way was long and weary, The night was dark and stormy, The Lights of London lay. O gleaming lamps of London that gem the City's crown, The year passed on and found them The years had brought them trouble, O mocking lamps of London, what weary eyes look down, With faces worn and weary, The Lights of London lay. O cruel lamps of London, if tears your lights could drown, Your victims' eyes would weep them, O Lights of London Town. SUGGESTIVE EXERCISES 1. In what mood were the man and woman returning to their native village? 2. Where had they been? 3. In what mood did they enter the great city? 4. What do you think attracted them to the city? 5. What were their fortunes in the "mighty fold"? 6. What mood prompted them to look yearningly back from their garret window toward their home village? 7. Explain "mocking lamps." 8. Why earlier "gleaming lamps”? 9. Why afterwards "cruel lamps”? 10. In what sense were the lad and lassie "victims" to the Lights of London Town? 11. What universal truth does this poem contain? REFERENCES BROWNING: Up at a Villa-Down in the City. HOOD: I Remember, I Remember. FELICIA HEMANS: The Homes of England. MRS. SHERWOOD: Carcassone. RILEY: Grigsby Station. WILL CARLETON: The New House. ROBERT BUCHANAN: Spring Song in the City. JOHN DAVIDSON: London. STEVENSON: Farewell to the Farm. |