And a huge black hulk, that was magnified Meanwhile, his friend through alley and street Wanders and watches with eager ears, 5 Till in the silence around him he hears The muster of men at the barrack door, The sound of arms, and the tramp of feet, And the measured tread of the grenadiers Marching down to their boats on the shore. 10 Then he climbed to the tower of the church, Up the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread, To the belfry-chamber overhead, And startled the pigeons from their perch On the somber rafters, that round him made 15 Masses and moving shapes of shadeUp the trembling ladder, steep and tall, To the highest window in the wall, Where he paused to listen and look down A moment on the roofs of the town, 20 And the moonlight flowing over all. Beneath, in the churchyard, lay the dead. Of the place and the hour, the secret dread Where the river widens to meet the bay- Meanwhile, impatient to mount and ride, Now gazed at the landscape far and near; 10 And turned and tightened his saddle-girth; 20 The hurry of hoofs in a village street, A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark, That was all! And yet, through the gloom and the light, 25 The fate of a nation was riding that night; And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight, He has left the village and mounted the steep, 30 Is the Mystic, meeting the ocean tides; It was twelve by the village clock When he crossed the bridge into Medford town. He heard the crowing of the cock, And the barking of the farmer's dog, 5 And felt the damp of the river-fog That rises after the sun goes down. It was one by the village clock 10 Swim in the moonlight as he passed, And the meeting-house windows, blank and bare, Gaze at him with a spectral glare, As if they already stood aghast At the bloody work they would look upon. 15 It was two by the village clock When he came to the bridge in Concord town. And the twitter of birds among the trees 20 Blowing over the meadows brown. And one was safe and asleep in his bed 25 You know the rest. In the books you have read, 30 Then crossing the fields to emerge again. And so through the night went his cry of alarm A cry of defiance, and not of fear, A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, In the hour of darkness and peril and need, NOTES AND QUESTIONS For Biography see page 136. Discussion. 1. Read the poem through thoughtfully and be able to tell the story from this outline: (a) Understanding as to signals between Paul Revere and his friend; (b) The friend in Boston; (c) Paul Revere on the Charlestown-side of the river; (d) The ride. 2. What was Paul Revere's message? 3. Find the lines that describe the churchyard. 4. How does Longfellow make you feel the hurry of the rider? 5. What to you is the most expressive line in the poem? 6. Read again what is said on page 18 about the value of supplementing history books with literature. How is the story "in the books you have read" of the battle of Lexington enriched by the story in the poem? 7. How did Longfellow's prophecy at the end of the poem apply to our country in the World War? 8. What statement in the first paragraph of the Introduction on page 253 shows you the motive that caused Longfellow to write this poem? 9. Draw a map showing the relative positions of Boston, Charlestown, Medford, Lexington, Concord. 10. Suggest a series of pictures that would tell the story of this famous historic ride; where in your series would you place the picture on page 257? 11. Find in the Glossary the meaning of: grenadier; impetuous; spectral; tranquil; emerge. 12. Pronounce: barrack; alder. Phrases for Study night-encampment, 266, 22 from tent to tent, 266, 26 fate of a nation, 267, 25 Class Reading. Bring to class and read "The Reveille," Harte; "A Troop of the Guard." Hagedorn (in The Home Book of Verse). 10 CONCORD HYMN RALPH WALDO EMERSON By the rude bridge that arched the flood, 5 The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps; And time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps. On this green bank, by this soft stream, Spirit, that made those freemen dare To die, and leave their children free, 15 Bid time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and Thee. NOTES AND QUESTIONS For Biography see page 77. Historical Note. Emerson wrote this poem to celebrate the completion of the monument which marks the spot on which the battle of Concord was fought, April 19, 1775. This monument is the work of the American sculptor, Daniel C. French. The "Concord Hymn" was sung at the celebration, April 19, 1836. Discussion. 1. In what sense was the shot "heard round the world”? 2. What did this battle mean to the world? 3. For what purpose does the poet say this "votive stone" is set? 4. How does this poem help memory "to redeem the deed"? 5. In what different ways does "memory |