Do ye not know some spot Where mortals weep no more? Some lone and pleasant dell, Some valley in the West, Where, free from toil and pain, The weary soul may rest? The loud wind dwindled to a whisper low, And sighed for pity as it answered, Tell me, thou mighty deep, Whose billows round me play, Some island far away, Where sorrow never lives, And friendship never dies? "No." The loud waves, rolling in perpetual flow, Stopped for a while, and sighed to answer, "No." And thou, serenest moon, That, with such lovely face, Dost look upon the earth, Asleep in night's embrace; Tell me, in all thy round, Hast thou not seen some spot, Where miserable man Might find a happier lot? Behind a cloud the moon withdrew in woe, And a voice, sweet, but sad, responded, "No." Tell me, my secret soul, O! tell me, Hope and Faith, Is there no resting-place From sorrow, sin, and death? Is there no happy spot, Where mortals may be blessed, Faith, Hope, and Love, best boons to mortals given, Questions: What question is asked in the first four lines? How is this spot described in the next four lines? Why did the wind sigh? What are the billows doing? What kind of a spot is "the favored island"? For what does weary man sigh? What always lives and what never dies in this isle? By what is the earth embraced at night? What question is asked the moon? Why did the moon withdraw? What virtues are questioned in the last stanza? What question is asked them? What may grief find there? What are the best boons to mortal given? What did Faith and Hope answer? mortals dwindled billows serenest perpetual embrace responded boons EVER RULES OF BEHAVIOR. VERY action in company ought to be done with some sign of respect to those present. In presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet. Sleep not when others speak; sit not when others stand; speak not when you should hold your peace; walk not when others stop. Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not on any one. Be no flatterer; neither play with any one that delights not to be played with. Read no letters, books, or papers, in company; but when there is a necessity for doing it, you must ask leave. Come not near the books or writings of any one so as to read them, unless desired, nor give your opinion of them unasked; also, look not nigh when another is writing a letter. When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not, nor prompt him, without being desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech is ended. Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach to those that speak in private. Make no show of taking great delight in your victuals; feed not with greediness; lean not on the table; neither find fault with what you eat. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician, if you be not knowing therein. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art he himself professes; it savors of arrogancy. Be not immoderate in urging your friend to discover a secret. If two contend together, take not the part of either unconstrained, and be not obstinate in your own opinion; in things indifferent, be of the major side. Speak not in an unknown tongue in company, but in your own language, and as those of quality do, and not as the vulgar; sublime matters treat seriously. In dispute, be not so desirous to overcome, as [you are] to give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion; and submit to the judgment of the major part, especially if they are judges of the dispute. Be not angry at table, whatever happens, and if you have reason to be so, show it not; put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers present, for good humor makes one lish of meat a feast. When you meet with one of greater quality than yourself, stop and retire, especially if it be at a door or any strait place, to give way to him to pass. They that are in dignity, or in office, have in all places precedency; but, while they are young, they ought to respect those who are their equals in birth, or other qualities, though they have no public charge. It is good manners to prefer them, to whom we are to speak, before ourselves, especially if they be above us, with whom in no sort we ought to begin.. In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty. Be not forward, but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, hear, and answer; and be not pensive when it is time to converse. When your superiors talk to anybody, hearken not, neither speak, nor laugh. When you speak of God or of his attributes, let it be seriously, in reverence. Honor and obey your natural parents, although they be poor. In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommodate nature, rather than to procure admiration; keep to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly with respect to times and places. Play not the peacock, looking everywhere about you to see if you be well decked, if your shoes fit well, if your stockings set neatly, and clothes handsomely. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly. Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise. When you deliver a matter, do it without passion, and with discretion, however mean the person may be do it to. you Be not tedious in discourse; make not many digres sions, nor repeat often the same manner of discourse. Use no reproachful language against any one, neither curse, nor revile. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in all serious matters somewhat grave. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or private, presently or at some other time, in what terms to do it; and, in reproving, show no signs of choler, but do it with sweetness and mildness. Mock not nor jest at anything of importance; break no jests that are sharp biting; and if you deliver anything witty and pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself. Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company. Utter not base and frivolous things among grave and learned men; nor very difficult questions or subjects. among the ignorant; nor things hard to be believed. Break not a jest where none takes pleasure in mirth; laugh not aloud, nor at all without occasion. Deride no man's misfortune, though there seems to be some cause. Go not thither where you know not whether you shall be welcome or not. Give not advice without being asked; and when desired, do it briefly. Treat with men at fit times about business, and whisper not in the company of others. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any. |