And, never sad with others’ sadness,
And never glad with others’ gladness,
Listen, unstirred, to knell or chime,
And, [lapped in quiet], [bide my time].
NOTES AND QUESTIONS
Biographical and Historical Note. Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806-1867) was a native of Portland, Maine, and a graduate of Yale College. He was born one year earlier than Longfellow, and lived most of his life in New York City, being one of a small group of writers known as “The Knickerbockers,” who for many years made New York the literary center of the country. His father, the Rev. Nathaniel Willis, established in Boston The Youth’s Companion.
“Old South” is the name of a church in Boston, in which public meetings were held at the time of the Revolutionary War. It is now used as a museum of historic collections.
Discussion. 1. What do the first two stanzas tell you about the bird? 2. Name the various sounds of the bell that the poet mentions. 3. What comparison is found in the fifth stanza? 4. Compare the last stanza of “The Sandpiper” with the last stanza of this poem and tell which you like the better. 5. Can you give a reason why the pigeon is made the hero of this poem?
Phrases