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One

Independence Bell

But the spirit it awakened.

Still is living-ever young;

And when we greet the smiling sunlight
On the Fourth of each July,

We will ne'er forget the bell-man
Who, betwixt the earth and sky,
Rung out loudly, "Independence;"
Which, please God, shall never die!

27

HELPS TO STUDY

Historical: In June, 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia offered a resolution in Congress, "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states." This motion was seconded by John Adams of Massachusetts and carried on July 2.

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert Livingston of New York were chosen to draw up a declaration which should contain this resolution. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by Congress July 4, 1776. The old State House, Philadelphia, in which Congress met, is now known as Independence Hall.

Notes and

Where did the events related in
this story take place?
What city is meant by the

"quaint old Quaker town''?
Where were the people of the
city gathered?

Why were they so excited?

To what is the pressure of the
people against the building
compared?

How many people are represented
as speaking in the third stanza?
How do you know this?
Why are the sentences in this
stanza so short?

Why are Adams and Sherman

Questions

mentioned by the people? What reason had the people for thinking that the nation's life was "at hazard", that is, in danger?

What portal is referred to in the
fourth stanza?
What is a patriot?

Who were the Spartans?
For what did they fight?
What did the ringing of the bell
tell to the people?

How did they show their joy?
Why should we remember the
bell-man on the Fourth of
each July"?

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"Spartan"-a native of Sparta, one of the states of anci Greece. At the battle of Thermopyle three hundred Spartans un Leonidas held a narrow pass against a large Persian army, until ev Spartan was slain.

"Phoenix" a bird which the ancient Egyptians believed visi their country once in several hundred years. They thought this bi burned itself to death and from its ashes sprang a new Phoenix.

Samuel Woodworth (1785-1842), an American poet and editor, wa born in Scituate, Massachusetts. He was a printer by trade. H wrote patriotic songs, but of all his writings the "Old Oaken Bucket is best liked.

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The Old Oaken Bucket

29

2

That moss-covered vessel I hail as a treasure;

For often, at noon, when returned from the field,

I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure,

The purest and sweetest that nature can yield.
How ardent I seized it, with hands that were glowing,
And quick to the white-pebbled bottom it fell;
Then soon, with the emblem of truth overflowing,
And dripping with coolness, it rose from the well:
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket arose from the well.

3

How sweet from the green mossy brim to receive it,
As poised on the curb, it inclined to my lips!
Not a full blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it,
Though filled with the nectar which Jupiter sips;
And now, far removed from thy loved situation,
The tear of regret will intrusively swell,

As fancy reverts to my father's plantation,

And sighs for the bucket which hangs in the well:
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket which hangs in the well.

HELPS TO STUDY
Notes and Questions

What ""
"scenes " of his childhood

does the poet remember?
What words does he use to de-

scribe the bucket?

On what part of the bucket did
the moss grow?

When did the boy find greatest
pleasure in the old oaken
bucket?

What do you think he did in the

field?

How does the poet describe the bottom of the well?

What does this tell you of the depth of the well?

What does the poet say is the emblem of truth?

How did the boy drink from the bucket?

What does the poem tell us could not tempt the boy to leave the old oaken bucket?

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George P. Morris (1802-1864) was born in Philadelphia. He wa an editor and a poet and was connected with a number of newspaper in New York City. His poems and songs are particularly pleasing.

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