When Freedom, from her mountain height,Unfurled her standard to the air,She tore the azure robe of night,And set the stars of glory there;She mingled with its gorgeous dyesThe milky baldric of the skies,And striped its pure celestial whiteWith streakings of the morning light;Then, from his mansion in the sun,She called her eagle-bearer down,And gave into his mighty handThe symbol of her chosen land!
Majestic monarch of the cloud,Who rear'st aloft thy regal form,To hear the tempest-trumpings loud,And see the lightning lances driven,When strive the warriors of the storm,And rolls the thunder-drum of heaven--Child of the sun! to thee 'tis givenTo guard the banner of the free,To hover in the sulphur smoke,To ward away the battle-stroke,And bid its blendings shine afar,Like rainbows on the cloud of war,The harbingers of victory!
Flag of the brave! thy folds shall fly,The sign of hope and triumph high,When speaks the signal trumpet tone,And the long line comes gleaming on,Ere yet the life-blood, warm and wet,Has dimmed the glistening bayonet,Each soldier's eye shall brightly turnTo where thy sky-born glories burn;And as his springing steps advance,Catch war and vengeance from the glance.And when the cannon's mouthings loud,Heave in wild wreaths the battle shroud,And gory sabres rise and fall,Like shoots of flame on midnight's pall;Then shall thy meteor glances glow,And cowering foes shall sink belowEach gallant arm that strikes beneathThat awful messenger of death.
Flag of the seas! on ocean's waveThy stars shall glitter o'er the brave;When death, careering on the gale,Sweeps darkly round the bellied sail,And frighted waves rush wildly backBefore the broadside's reeling rack,Each dying wanderer of the sea,Shall look at once to heaven and thee,And smile to see thy splendors flyIn triumph o'er his closing eye.
Flag of the free heart's hope and home!By angel hands to valor given;Thy stars have lit the welkin dome,And all thy hues were born in heaven.Forever float that standard sheet!Where breathes the foe but falls before us,With Freedom's soil beneath our feet,And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us?
Biographical and Historical:The name of Joseph Rodman Drake is inseparably associated with that of his friend, Fitz-Greene Halleck. Together they contributed a series of forty poems to the New York Evening Post. Among these was "The American Flag," the last four lines of which were written by Halleck, to replace those written by Drake:
"As fixed as yonder orb divine,That saw thy bannered blaze unfurled,Shall thy proud stars resplendent shine,The guard and glory of the world."
Drake was a youth of many graces of both mind and body, who wrote verses as a bird sings--for the pure joy of it. His career was cut short by death when he was only twenty-five years old. Of him Halleck wrote:
"None knew thee but to love thee,Nor named thee but to praise."
WARREN'S ADDRESS AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL
JOHN PIERPONT
Stand! the ground's your own, my braves!Will ye give it up to slaves?Will ye look for greener graves?Hope ye mercy still?What's the mercy despots feel?Hear it in that battle peal!Read it on yon bristling steel!Ask it--ye who will.
Fear ye foes who kill for hire?Will ye to yourhomesretire?Look behind you! they're afire!And, before you, seeWho have done it!--From the valeOn they come!--and will ye quail?--Leaden rain and iron hailLet their welcome be!
In the God of battles trust!Die we may--and die we must:But, O where can dust to dustBe consigned so well,As where heaven its dews shall shed,On the martyred patriot's bed,And the rocks shall raise their head,Of his deeds to tell?
Biographical and Historical:John Pierpont was a Unitarian clergyman of Connecticut, who published several volumes of poetry. General Joseph Warren was one of the generals in command of the patriot army at the battle of Bunker Hill, and was killed in the battle. He was counted one of the bravest and most unselfish patriots of the Revolutionary War. In this poem we have the poet's idea of how General Warren inspired his men.
COLUMBUS
JOAQUIN MILLER
Behind him lay the gray Azores,Behind the Gates of Hercules;Before him not the ghosts of shores,Before him only shoreless seas.The good mate said: "Now must we pray,For lo! the very stars are gone.Brave Admiral, speak, what shall I say?""Why, say 'sail on! sail on! and on!'"
"My men grow mutinous day by day;My men grow ghastly wan and weak."The stout mate thought of home; a sprayOf salt wave washed his swarthy cheek."What shall I say, brave Admiral, say,If we sight naught but seas at dawn?""Why, you shall say at break of day,'Sail on! sail on! and on!'"
They sailed and sailed, as winds might blow.Until at last the blanched mate said:"Why, now not even God would knowShould I and all my men fall dead.These very winds forget their way,For God from these dread seas is gone,Now speak, brave Admiral, speak and say"--He said: "Sail on! sail on! and on!"
They sailed. They sailed. Then spake the mate;"This mad sea shows his teeth to-night.He curls his lip, he lies in wait,With lifted teeth, as if to bite!Brave Admiral, say but one good word:What shall we do when hope is gone?"The words leapt like a leaping sword;"Sail on! sail on! and on!"
Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck,And peered through darkness. Ah, that nightOf all dark nights! And then a speck--A light! A light! A light! A light!It grew, a starlit flag unfurled!It grew to be Time's burst of dawn.He gained a world; he gave that worldIts grandest lesson: "On! sail on!"
Biographical and Historical:Cincinnatus Heine Miller (Joaquin [hoa'kin] Miller) was born in Indiana in 1841. Joining the general movement to the West after the discovery of gold, his parents moved to the Pacific coast in 1850. He died in 1914.
"In point of power, workmanship, and feeling, among all the poems written by Americans, we are inclined to give first place to 'The Port of Ships,' or 'Columbus,' by Joaquin Miller."--London Athenaeum.
RECESSIONAL--A VICTORIAN ODE
RUDYARD KIPLING
God of our fathers, known of old--Lord of our far-flung battle line--Beneath whose awful hand we holdDominion over palm and pine--Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,Lest we forget--lest we forget!
The tumult and the shouting dies--The Captains and the Kings depart--Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,An humble and a contrite heart.Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,Lest we forget--lest we forget!
Far-called, our navies melt away--On dune and headland sinks the fire--Lo, all our pomp of yesterdayIs one with Nineveh and Tyre!Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,Lest we forget--lest we forget!
If, drunk with sight of power, we looseWild tongues that have not Thee in awe--Such boasting as the Gentiles use,Or lesser breeds without the Law--Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,Lest we forget--lest we forget!
For heathen heart that puts her trustIn reeking tube and iron shard--All valiant dust that builds on dust,And guarding calls not Thee to guard.For frantic boast and foolish word,Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!
Amen.
Biographical and Historical:Rudyard Kipling was born Christmas Week, 1865, in Bombay. After school life in England, he returned to India at the age of seventeen, to do journalistic work. His tales of Indian. life and his ballads describing the life of the British soldier won immediate favor. Perhaps he is best known to the boys and girls as the author of the Jungle Books. From 1892 to 1896 he lived in the United States. This poem, which appeared in 1897, at the time of the Queen's Jubilee, struck a warning note against the arrogance of power.
A DEFINITION OF A GENTLEMAN
CARDINAL NEWMAN
It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain. This description is both refined and, as far as it goes, accurate. He is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of those about him; and he concurs with their movements rather than takes the initiative himself. His benefits may be considered as parallel to what are called comforts or conveniences in arrangements of a personal nature: like an easy-chair or a good fire, which do their part in dispelling cold and fatigue, though nature provides both means of rest and animal heat without them. The true gentleman in like manner carefully avoids whatever may cause a jar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast;--all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment; his great concern being to make every one at their ease and at home. He has his eyes on all his company; he is tender toward the bashful, gentle toward the distant, and merciful toward the absurd; he can recollect to whom he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions, or topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome. He makes light of favors while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring. He never speaks of himself except when compelled, never defends himself by a mere retort; he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him, and interprets everything for the best. He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp sayings for arguments, or insinuates evil which he dare not say out. From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves toward our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend. He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults; he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain because it is inevitable, to bereavement because it is irreparable, and to death because it is his destiny. If he engages in controversy of any kind, his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blundering discourtesy of better, perhaps, but less educated minds; who, like blunt weapons, tear and hack instead of cutting clean, who mistake the point in argument, waste their strength on trifles, misconceive their adversary, and leave the question more involved than they find it. He may be right or wrong in his opinion, but he is too clear-headed to be unjust; he is as simple as he is forcible, and as brief as he is decisive. Nowhere shall we find greater candor, consideration, indulgence: he throws himself into the minds of his opponents, he accounts for their mistakes. He knows the weakness of human reason as well as its strength, its province, and its limits.
Biographical:John Henry Newman, 1801-1890, a distinguished Prelate was born in London. He graduated from Trinity College, Oxford, and became noted both as a scholar and a writer. "Lead, Kindly Light," a poem of rare beauty, was written by him while on a voyage in the Mediterranean Sea. This selection is from his book, "The Idea of a University". He was made a cardinal in 1879.
GLOSSARY
abandon (a-ban'dun), give up.
abatement (a-bat'ment), putting an end to.
abbey (ab'i), monastery; convent.
abnegation (ab'ne-ga'shun), denial.
aboon (a-boon'), Scotch for above.
Absalom (ab'sa-lom),
absolute (ab'so-lut), without any limits or conditions.
abstinence (ab'sti-nens), refraining from certain kinds of pleasures.
abstract (ab-strakt'), separate.
abyss (a-bis'), a bottomless gulf.
Acadie (a'ka'de'),
accession (ak-sesh'un), coming into possession of.
acord (a-kord'), blend.
acost (a'kost'), approach; speak to.
acumulate (a-ku'mu-lat), collect; store up.
acuracy (ak'u-ra-si), exactness.
acurately (ak'u-rat-li), precisely.
acquiescence (ak'wi-es'ens), a yielding or agreeing.
Act of Navigation (act of nav'i-ga'shun), an ordinance passed by the British Parliament for the American colonies by which goods were to be imported to the colonies free of duty for a period of years, provided all goods were sent out of the colonies in British ships.
adamant (ad'a-mant), a stone of extreme hardness.
adapt (a-dapt), fit; change to suit.
Adayes (a-da'yes), an early settlement in southwestern United States.
addled (ad'ld), rotten; confused,
adequate (ad'e-kwat), fully sufficient.
adherence (ad-her'ens), steady attachment.
adherent (ad-her'ent), clinging; a follower.
adieu (a-du'), good-by, farewell.
adjust (a-just'), fit; to put in order.
administer (ad-min'is-ter), manage or conduct (public affairs); tender an oath.
admiral (ad'mi-ral), a naval officer of the highest rank.
ado (a-doo'), trouble, fuss.
Adonis (a-do'nis), in Greek mythology, a youth of marvelous beauty.
adoption (a-dop'shun), acceptance
adrift (a-drift'), floating at the mercy of the wind and waves.
advent (ad'vent), coming, approach
adversary (ad'ver-sa-ri), one opposed, a foe.
adverse (ad'vers), contrary.
aerial (a-e'ri-al), pertaining to the air; lofty.
Aershot (ar'skot), the town Aerschot in Belgium, 23 miles northeast of Brussels.
affable (af'a-bl), friendly, gracious.
affectation, (af'ek-ta'shun), an attempt to assume what is not natural or real.
affidavit (af'i-da'vit), a sworn statement in writing.
aft (aft), near or towards the stern of a vessel.
Agassiz (ag'a-se), a celebrated Swiss-American naturalist who came to the United States in 1846. He was professor of geology at Harvard.
aggression (a-gresh'un), attack.
aghast (a-gasf), terrified.
agitate (aj'i-tat), stir up; discuss.
agog (a-gog'), eager.
agony (ag'o-ni), great pain.
aid de camp (ad'de-kamp'; ad'de-kan'), an officer who assists a general in correspondence and in directing movements.
Aidenn (a'den), paradise (from the Arabic word for Eden, used by Poe for the sake of the rhyme).
Aix (aks), a city in Prussia, founded by the Romans and a favorite residence of Charlemagne.
Aix-la-Chapelle (aks'la-sha'pel), is the French name and Aachen the German.
akimbo (a-kim'bo), with hand on the hip and elbow turned outward.
alacrity (a-lak'ri-ti), cheerful readiness.
Aladdin (a-lad'in), in the "Arabian Nights' Entertainments," the possessor of a wonderful lamp with magic charms.
alarum (a-lar'um), an old form for alarm.
Albion (al'bi-un), an ancient name of England,
Albyn (al'bin),
Alexander (al'eg-zan'der), surnamed "the Great," was a famous conqueror who lived in the fourth century B. C.; founder of Alexandria in Egypt.
alienate (al'yen-at), make strange; take away.
all-absorbing (ol-ab-sorb'ing), taking up completely.
Allah (al'la), in the Mohammedan faith, the name for God.
Allahu (al-la'hoo), probably a Persian ejaculation.
all-besetting (ol-be-set'ing), surrounding on all sides.
allege (a-lej'), declare; affirm.
allegiance (a-le-jans), loyalty.
allegory (al'e-go-ri), description of one thing under the image of another; parable.
alliance (a-li'ans), union of interests; league.
alloy (a-loi'), a baser metal mixed with a finer.
aloe (al'e), a fragrant plant growing in warm climates; the American aloe is the century plant.
alteration (ol'ter-a'shun), making different; change.
alternately (al-ter'nat-li) by turns.
alternative (al-tur'na-tiv), a choice between two or more things.
amain (a-man'), with full force.
amaranth (am'a-ranth), an imaginary flower supposed never to fade.
Ambaaren (am'ba-ar'en),
ambassador (am-bas'a-der), a minister representing his ruler or country at a foreign court.
ambition (am-bish'un), desire for honor or power.
ambrosial (am-bro'zhi-al), pertaining to the fabled food of the gods, which immortalized them.
amendment (a-mend'ment), a change for the better; a change in a bill or motion by adding or omitting.
amiable (a'mi-a-b'l), lovable, goodnatured.
amidships (a-mid'ships), in the middle of a ship.
amorpha (a-mor'fa), a plant belonging to the pea family and having blue-violet flowers.
amphitheatre (am'fi-the'a-ter), an oval or circular building with rising tiers of seats about an open space.
ample (am'p'l), abundant; full.
Amun (a'mon), an Egyptian deity generally represented as a ram.
anchorite (an'ko-rit), one who renounces the world and secludes himself, a hermit.
andirons (and'i'urnz), metallic stands to support wood in a fireplace.
anecdote (an'ek-dot), a short narrative of some particular incident.
Angel of Death. See Exodus, chapter 12
Angel of the backward look; memory
Angelus (an'je-lus), the bell tolled in the morning, at noon, and in the evening to tell the faithful the time for prayer.
Angus (an'gus),
annals (an'alz), historical records.
anon (a-non'), in a little while.
anticipate (an-tis'i-pat), count upon in advance; foresee.
antique (an-tek'), old.
antiquity (an-tik'wi-ti), great age
apathetic (ap'a-thet'ik), without feeling.
apathy (ap'a-thi), lack of feeling.
apex (a'peks), summit; point.
apology (a-pol'e-ji), an acknowledgment for some injurious act; an excuse.
Apolonius (ap-po-lo'ni-us), a philosopher and wonder-worker who lived at about the same time as Christ.
apostrophe (a-pos'tro-fe), a speech or address to some person or thing absent or present. Apostrophe to the Ocean,
appalling (a-pol'ing), terrifying.
apparel (a-par'el), clothing.
apparent (a-par'ent), clear, plainly to be seen.
appealing (a-pel'ing), calling for aid or sympathy.
apprehension (ap're-hen'shun), a taking hold of; anxiety.
apprise (a-priz'), inform.
approbation (ap'ro-ba'shun), liking; consent.
approximate (a-prok'si-mat), approach; nearly exact.
arabesque (ar'a-besk'), a kind of ornament, brought to high perfection by Arabian artists and consisting of lines, figures, fruits, flowers, and men variously grouped.
Arachthus (a-rak'thus), the ancient name of a river in Greece; modern Arta.
arbiter (ar'bi-ter), one appointed to determine a controversy; umpire.
architect (ar'ki-tekt), one who is skilled in planning, designing, and constructing buildings.
Ardennes (ar-den'),
ardent (ar'dent), burning; passionate.
ardor (ar'der), heat; zeal.
arduous (ar'du-us), hard, difficult.
arena (a-re'na), the sanded area in the central part of a Roman amphitheater.
argosy (ar'go-si), a large merchant vessel.
argument (ar'gu-ment), proof or reasons in a controversy.
Armada (ar-ma'da),
armament (ar'ma-ment), arms, ships and other equipment for war.
aroma (a-ro'ma), fragrance; a spicy perfume.
array (a-ra'), clothe; an orderly collection.
arrogance (ar'e-gans), pride with contempt of others.
artifice (ar'ti-fis), workmanship; artful trick.
artisan (ar'ti-zan), one skilled in some art or trade.
ascertain (as'er-tan'), learn for certain.
Ashur (a'shoor),
askance (a-skans'), sideways.
aspect (as'pekt), look.
asperse (as-purs'), sprinkle; defame.
asphodel (as'fo-del), a lily, in Greek mythology the special flower of the dead. The English daffodil is derived from this Greek word.
aspiration (as'pi-ra'shun), strong wish, high desire.
assail (a-sal'), attack violently.
assailant (a-sal'ant), one who attacks.
assault (a-solt'), a violent attack.
assemblage (a-sem'blaj), a company of people gathered together.
assiduity (as'i-du'i-ti), constant attention; industry.
assiduous (a-sid'u-us), busy; persevering.
assign (a-sin'), give over.
Assyria (a-sir'i-a), an ancient state in Asia, east of the Tigris river.
astern (a-sturn'), in the rear part of the ship.
astounding (as-tound'mg), astonishing.
asunder (a-sun'der), apart.
Atchafalaya (ach'a-fa-li'a), an outlet of the Red and Mississippi rivers in southern Louisiana.
atilt (a-tilf), balanced lightly.
Atlantic Monthly, a magazine first published in 1857, with Lowell as editor.
attain (a-tan'), reach; accomplish.
attaint (a-tant'), corrupt; disgrace.
attenuated (a-ten'u-at'ed), thinned, slender.
attitude (at'i-tud), position; feeling.
attribute (a-trib'ut), give; refer.
attribute (at'ri-but), characteristic; quality.
audacity (o-das'i-ti), boldness.
audible (o'di-b'l), capable of being heard.
auditor (o'di-ter), a hearer.
august (o-gust'), majestic; solemn.
auroral (o-ro'ral), pertaining to the dawn, rosy.
austere (es-ter'), severe.
austerity (os-ter'i-ti), severity; severe simplicity.
authentic (o-then'tik), true; genuine.
autocrat (e'to-krat), an absolute ruler.
avail (a-val'), help; be of use.
Ave Maria (a'va ma-re'a), Hail Mary, first words of a Roman Catholic prayer to the Virgin Mary. The words are those of the Angel Gabriel, hence the prayer is called the Angelus.
avenge (a-venj'), punish in order to execute justice.
aversion (a-vur'shun), dislike.
avert (a-vurt'), turn aside.
awry (a-ri'), turned or twisted: crooked.
aye and anon (a and a-non'), continually.
Azores (a-zorz'), a group of islands in the Atlantic belonging to Portugal, and 800 miles west of it.
azure (azh'ur), the clear blue color of the sky.
Baal (ba'al), the supreme god o! the Assyrians,
Babylonish jargon (bab'ilo'nish), unintelligible language. See story of the "tower of Babel." Gen. XI.
bacchanal (bak'a-nal), a carouser; a follower of Bacchus, the god of wine.
Bacchantes (ba-kan'tez), priestesses of Bacchus, the god of wine.
bairn (barn), Scottish name for a child.
Balaklava (ba'la-kla'va), a city in the Crimea on the Black Sea.
baldric (bol'drik), a broad belt worn over the shoulder and under the opposite arm.
ballad (bal'ad), a short poem telling a story.
balm (bam), anything that soothes pain.
balm in Gilead (bam in gil'e-ad), a biblical expression meaning comfort or healing,
balmy (bam'i), mild; soothing; fragrant.
bandit (ban'dit), an outlaw.
baneful (ban'fool), injurious.
Bannockburn (ban'uk-burn), a battlefield in Scotland upon which Robert Bruce defeated the English.
Baptiste Le-blanc (ba'tesf le blan'),
bar (bar), the legal profession.
bard (bard), a poet.
barge (barj), a boat.
barometer (ba-rom'e-ter), an instrument for determining the weight or pressure of the atmosphere.
barouche (ba-robsh'), four-wheeled carriage, with a falling top, and two double seats on the inside.
barrack (bar'ak), a building for soldiers, especially when in garrison,
barrier (bar'i-er), an obstruction or limit.
bask (bask), warm; lie comfortably,
baste (bast), drip fat on meat in roasting.
battery (bat'er-i), two or more pieces of artillery in the field.
bayonet (ba'e-net), a dagger fitted on the muzzle of a musket.
bayou (bi'oo), an inlet from a gulf, lake, or large river.
Beau Se-jour (bo-sa-zhoer'), a French fort upon the neck of land connecting Acadia and the mainland. It had just been taken by the British,
"beard the lion," defy.
Beautiful Gate, an entrance to the temple in Jerusalem. See Acts III-2 and John X-7.
Beautiful River, the Ohio.
beck (bek), call.
beetling (be'tling), projecting, jutting out.
Beg (bag),
begotten (be-got'n), caused to exist; born.
beguile (be-gil'), relieve the tedium or weariness of, entertain.
belfry (bel'fri), a bell tower.
Bell, name of an inn.
Belle Aurore (bel e-ror'), the dawn.
"bell or book," religious ceremony.
Belle-fontaine (bel-fon-tan'),
belligerent (be-lij'er-ent), waging war.
bellows (bel'oz), an instrument for driving air through a tube.
"belted knight," girt with a belt as an honorary distinction.
benedicite (ben'e-d'is'i-te), a chant or hymn, the Latin version of which begins with this word; an exclamation corresponding to "Bless you!"
benediction (ben'e-dik'shun), a blessing.
beneficence (be-nef'i-sens), goodness or charity.
benign (be-nin'), of a kind disposition.
benignant (be-nig'nant), kind.
beseech (be-sech'), entreat.
bestead (be-sted'), put in peril.
bestial (bes'chal), beastly; vile.
bestow (be-sto'), give; grant.
betrothal (be-troth'al), contract to anyone for a marriage.
beverage (bev'er-aj), drink.
bicker (bik'er), move quickly with a pattering noise,
bier (her), a frame on which a corpse is borne to the grave.
bigot (big'ut), one blindly devoted to his own opinion; narrow-minded.
bigotry (big'ut-ri), narrow-mindedness.
biography (bi-eg'ra-fi), the written history of a person's life.
birkie (bur'ki),
blanch (blanch), take the color out of; whiten.
blasphemy (blas'fe-mi), impious speech against God or sacred things.
blast (blast), a violent gust of wind.
blazoned (bla'z'nd), adorned, depicted in color.
blithe (blith), gay, joyous.
blithesome (blitn'sum), happy, gay,
Blomidon (blo'mi-dun), a mountain in Nova Scotia.
bodkin (bod'km), a pointed implement for making holes in cloth.
bondsman (bondz'man), one who gives security for another.
"bonnet and plume," a soft cap worn by men in Scotland.
Boom (bom), a town in Belgium.
boon (boon), a gift; bountiful; gay.
bootless (bpot'les), useless.
Border (bor'der), the frontier between England and Scotland,
"bore the bell," carried off the prize. A bell was formerly used as a prize in races.
bosky (bos'ki), woody or bushy.
bosom (booz'um), the breast.
Bothnia (both'nr-a), Gulf of the northern arm of the Baltic Sea between Finland and Sweden.
bountiful (boun'ti-fobl), liberal.
bourn (born), a boundary; limit.
bow (bou), the forward part of a ship, (bo) to rhyme with tow.
Bowdoin (bo'd'n), in Brunswick, Maine, college from which Longfellow graduated in 1825.
Bozzaris, Marco (bo-zar'is. Mar'ko),
brackish (brak'ish), saltish; distasteful.
Braddock (brad'uk), a British general who met defeat and was killed in 1755.
Braganza (bra-gan'za), a reigning family of Portugal.
brake (brak), a fern; a thicket.
brawl (brol), noise: quarrel.
breach (brech), an opening in; a break.
breakers (brak'erz), waves breaking into foam against the shore.
breeches (brich'ez), trousers.
Breton, (bret'un), a province of France.
brig (brig), a two-masted vessel.
brigade (bri-gad'), a body of troops larger than a regiment.
brink (brink), verge or edge.
British Ministry, the British Government.
Briton (brit'un), a native of England.
broadside (brod'sid'), the side of a ship above the water line, from bow to quarter.
broadsword (brod'sord'), a sword with a broad blade and cutting edge.
Brook Farm, a farm near Boston, where an experiment in agriculture and education was tried by a group of literary people.
Brunswick (brunz-wik), Duke of Brunswick (Frederick William) was killed in the engagement described,
Brutus (broq'tus), a Roman politician who joined in the assassination of Caesar.
Buckholm (buk'hom),
buffcoat (buf'kot), a military coat made of buff leather.
buffet (buf'et), a blow.
bulkhead (bulk'hed'), a wall to resist pressure of earth or water.
Bunker Hill, a hill near Boston where a famous battle was fought.
bouyancy (bou'an-si), lightness.
burger (bur'get), an inhabitant of a borough.
burgesses (bur'jes-es), citizens of a borough.
Burgundian (bur-gun'di-an), pertaining to Burgundy, a province of France on the Rhone river.
buskin (bus'kin), a covering for the foot and leg, worn by tragic actors.
cad (ca'd), Scotch for called.
cadence (ka'dens), a fall of the voice; rhythm.
Cadmus (kad'mus), in Greek legend the founder of Thebes and introducer of the letters of the Greek alphabet.
Caesar. Julius (se'zar), (l00 B. C.-44 B. C.), a famous Roman general, statesman and writer.
Caius Marius (ka'yus ma're-us),
calamity (ka-lam'i-ti), misfortune; disaster.
calender (kal'en-der), one whose business it is to press cloth or paper between cylindrical rollers.
calumny (kal'um-ni), slander.
"Calvin's creed." Calvin was a celebrated reformer whose doctrines are noted for their severity.
Cameron (kam'er-eri),
candid (kan'did), frank; open.
Cannobie Lee (kan'e-be le), a lea or large open space in Scotland.
cannonade (kan'un-ad'), a discharging of cannon.
capacity (ka-pas'i-ti), power.
"cap and bells," the tokens or signs of a jester or clown, therefore, foolish pleasures.
Cape Palmas (pal'mas), a promontory on the coast of Liberia, western Africa.
caper (ka'per), "cutting a caper," to leap about in a frolicsome manner.
capon (ka'pon), choice chicken.
caprice (ka-pres'), whim, fancy.
Capua (cap'u-a), an ancient city in Italy near Naples, famous for its wealth and luxury.
career (ka-rer'), move rapidly.
carrion (kar'i-un), dead and decaying flesh of an animal.
Carthage (kar'thaj), an ancient city in northern Africa. Its wars with Rome are known as the Punic Wars.
casement (kas'ment), a hinged window sash.
casual (kazh'u-al), happening without regularity.
catholic (kath'e-lik), liberal
cauldron (kol'drun), a large kettle
causeway (koz wa), raised road over wet ground.
cavalcade (kav'al-kad'), a procession of persons on horseback.
celestial (se-les'chal), heavenly, divine.
cenotaph (sen'o-taf), a monument to one buried elsewhere.
censer (sen'ser), a vessel in which incense is burned.
censorship (sen'sor-ship), office or power to examine papers for the press and suppress what is thought harmful.
censure (sen'shfir), blame.
century-circled (sen'tu-ri-sur'k'ld), having a hundred circles, indicating its age.
cessation (se-sa'shun), pause, stop.
cestus (ses'tus), girdle.
chaise (shaz), a two-wheeled carriage.
chalice (chal'is), a cup.
Chalkley's Journal. Thomas Chalkley was a traveling Quaker preacher. His journal, published in 1747, told of his many wonderful experiences.
Chambered Nautilus (cham'berd no'ti-lus), a shellfish belonging to the highest class of mollusks.
chancel (chan'sel), that part of a church containing the altar.
chanticleer (chan'ti-kler), a cock, so called from his clear voice in crowing.
chaos (ka-os), disorder.
chaotic (ka-ot'ik), confused.
chaplet (chap'let), wreath.
characterize (char'ak-ter-iz), describe.
chasm (kaz'm), deep opening, gap.
Chattahoochee (chat'a-hoo'chi), a river in Georgia which forms part of its western boundary.
chaunt (chant), song, especially one that is solemn and slow.
Cheapside (chep'sid), the central east-and-west street of London, formerly a market. "Chepe" is the old English word for market.
Chersonese (kur'so-nez), Athenians who had colonized the peninsula between the Hellespont and the Gulf of Melos. Miltiades ruled over them.
chimerical (ki-mer'i-kal), unreal, fantastic.
chivalry (shiv'al-ri), manners of knighthood, courtesy.
chowder (chou'der), a dish made of fresh fish or clams, biscuit, etc., stewed together.
chronicle (kron'i-k'l), historical record.
churlish (chur'lish), rough, ill bred.
ci devant (se'de-van'), former.
circuit (sur'kit), a regular journey from place to place; the district journeyed over.
circumscribe (sur'kum-skrib') inclose, encircle.
citadel ( sit'a-del), fortress.
"civil feuds" (siv'il fuds), quarrels within one's own country.
clamor (klam'er), an outcry; uproar.
clan (klan),
clang (klang), strike together so as to produce a ringing metallic sound.
clangor (klanger), a sharp, harsh, ringing sound.
clapboard (klap'bord), a narrow board, thicker at one edge than at the other, for weatherboarding houses.
cleave (klev), cling; open or crack.
cleft (kleft), crack, crevice.
clement (klem'ent), mild.
clergy (klur'ji), a body of ministers of the gospel.
cloud-vesture (kloud-ves'tur), clothing of clouds.
Cochecho (ko-che'cho), Indian name for Dover, N. H.
cocked hat (kokt), a hat with the brim turned up.
cohesion (ko-he'zhun), close union.
cohort (ko'hort), in the ancient Roman army, a body of about 500 soldiers.
coil (koil), trouble; the body.
coincidence (ko-in'si-dens), a happening at the same time.
colossal (ko-los'al), of enormous size.
Comanches (ko-man'chez), a tribe of Indians noted for their warlike character.
comely (kum'li), pleasing.
comment (kom'ent), meditate upon; a remark or criticism.
commissioner (ko-mish'un-er) an officer having charge of some department of public service.
commodity (ko-mod'i-ti), goods, wares.
communal (kom'u-nal), having property in common.
commune (ko-mun'), take counsel.
communicate (ko-mu'm-kat), make known.
communion (ko-mun'yun), intercourse.
compass (kum'pas), size, capacity.
compensate (kom'pen-sat), recompense or reward.
compete (kom-pet'), seek or strive for the same thing.
competence (kom'pe-tens), property sufficient for comfort.
complacency (kom-pla'sen-si), self-satisfaction.
compliance (kom-pli'ans), yielding.
comply (kom-pli'), yield, assent.
component (kom-po'nent), composing; an ingredient.
comport (kom-port'), agree or suit conduct.
compose (kom-poz'), put together: quiet.
composition (kom'po-zish'un), combination, make-up.
composure (kom-po'zhur), calm.
comprehend (kom'pre-hend'), understand.
comprehension (kom'pre-hen'shun), perception, understanding.
comprehensive (Kom'pre-hen'siv), including much.
compressed (kom-prest') pressed together.
comprise (kom-priz'), include.
compromise (kom'pro-miz), an agreement in which all parties concerned give up something.
concave (kon'kav), hollow and curved in.
conceal (kon-sel'), hide from observation.
concede (kon-sed'), grant or allow.
conceive (kon-sev'), understand: think.
concenter (kon-sen'ter), bring to, or meet in a common center; condense,
concentrate (kon'sen-trat), bring to, or meet in a common center; condense.
concentric (kon-sen'trik), having a common center.
conception (kon-sep'shun), formation in the mind of an image or notion.
conciliate (kon-sil'i-at), reconcile, pacify.
conclusive (kon-kloo'siv), convincing; final.
concord (kon'kord), state of agreement; harmony.
concurrence (kon-kur'ens), agreement in opinion.
conduce (kon-dus') lead or tend.
confound (kon-found') confuse; blend.
congeal, (kon-jel'), freeze; thicken.
congregate (kon'gre-gat), assemble.
conjure (kon-joor'), call on solemnly.
conjure (kun'jer), call forth or expel by magic arts.
conjuring book (kun'jer-ing), a copy of Cornelius' Agrippa's "Magic," printed in 1657.
connubial (ko-nu'bi-al), pertaining to marriage.
Conscript Fathers (kon'skript), a translation of a certain form used in addressing the senate of ancient Rome.
consecrate (kon'se-krat), dedicate, hallow.
conservative (kon-sur'va-tiv), opposed to change; safe.
consign (kon-sin'), intrust; deliver.
consistent (koti-Sis'tent), not contradictory; having harmony among its parts.
construe (kon'stroo), interpret, explain.
consul (kon'sul), commercial agent of a government in a foreign country; a magistrate.
consume (kon-sum') destroy; swallow up.
consummation (kon's'u-ma'shun), achievement; end.
contagious (kon-ta'jus), catching.
contemplate (kon'tem-plat), view; study.
contemptible (kon-temp'ti-b'l), deserving disdain; despised.
contemptuous (kon-temp'tu-us), scornful.
contention (kon-ten'shun), strife.
contexture (kon-teks'tur), system, texture.
continuity (kon'ti-nu'i-ti), the being continuous.
contrite (kon'trit), humbly penitent.
contrition (kon-trish'un), self reproach.
contumely (kon'tu-me-li), disdain, scorn.
convene (kon-ven'), assemble.
convex (kon'veks), rising or swelling into a rounded form; opposite from concave.
convoluted (kon'vo-lut'ed), rolled together, one part upon another.
convulse (kon-vuls') contract violently and irregularly.
coof (koof),
coot (koot), a kind of duck.
copious (ko'pi-us), plentiful.
coppice (kop is), a grove of growth.
corbel (kor'bel), a bracket.
cordage (kor'daj), anything made of rope or cord.
corroborate (ko-rob'o-rat), make more certain, confirm.
corrupt (ko-rupt'), change from good to bad.
corse (kors), a corpse.
corselet (kors'let), breastplate.
Corsica (kor'si-ka), an island in the Mediterranean, belonging to France, the birthplace of Napoleon.
Cossacks (kos'aks), a military people inhabiting the steppes of Russia.
council (koun'sil), assembly or meeting, assembly for advice.
counsel (koun'sel), interchange of opinions; advise.
countenance (koun'ti-nans), appearance of the face, the features.
counterfeit (koun'ter-fit), that which resembles another thing; carry on a deception.
counterpart (koun'ter-part'), a copy, duplicate.
Coureur-de-bois (koo'rur'de-bwa'), a class of men, French by birth, who, through long association with the Indians were only half civilized. Their chief occupation was conducting the canoes of the traders along the lakes and rivers of the interior.
courier (koo'rl-er), a messenger.
Court of St. James, the official name of the British court. St. James's Palace was formerly the royal residentce.
courteous (kur'te-us), polite.
courtesy (kur'te-si), good breeding.
cove (kov), a small inlet or bay.
covertly (kuv'ert-li), secretly.
covet (kuv'et), long for.
craft (kraft), art or skill; a vessel.
crag (krag), steep, rugged rock.
Craigie House (krag'i), the house in Cambridge in which Longfellow lived from 1836 until his death. During the Revolution, it had been Washington's headquarters.
crane (kran), an iron arm fastened to a fireplace and used for supporting kettles over the fire,
cranny (kran'i), a chink.
crank (krank), top-heavy.
craven (kra'v'n), coward; faint-hearted.
craw (kro), crop or stomach.
credentials (kre-den'shalz), testimonies of the bearer's right to recognition.
creditor (kred'i-ter), one to whom money is due.
credulous (kred'e-lus), apt to believe on slight evidence.
Creeks (krekz), a powerful confederation of Indians who occupied the greater part of Alabama and Georgia.
crescent (kres'ent), the increasing moon; anything shaped like a new moon; emblem of the Turkish Empire.
crest (krest), upper curve of a horse's neck.
crevice (krev'is), a narrow crack.
crier (kri'er), one who gives notice by proclamation.
criterion (kri-te'ri-un), standard of judging.
critic (krit'Ik), one skilled in judging.
critical (krit'i-kal), decisive; important.
Croisickese (kroiz'i-kez), an inhabitant of Croisic, a small fishing-village near the mouth of the Loire. Here Browning wrote Herve Riel.
Cromwell, Oliver (1599-1658), commander-in-chief of the parliamentary forces in the struggle with Charles I of England.
cronies (kro'niz), intimate companions.
cross (kros), emblem of the Roman Catholic church.
croupe (kroop), the place on the horse behind the saddle.
crucifix (kroo'si'fiks), a representation of the figure of Christ upon the cross.
cruise (krooz), a voyage in various directions.
crypt (kript), a vault; cell for burial purposes.
crystaline (kris'tal-in), pure; transparent; consisting of crystal.
culprit (kul'prit), a criminal.
cumberless (kum'ber-les), without care.
cumbrous (kum'brus), burdensome.
cunning (kun'ing), skill.
"cunning-warded keys," knowledge which comes only from close observation and which is hidden from the less observant.
curb (kurb), to keep in check.
curfew (kur'fu), an evening bell, originally to cover fires and retire to rest.
curlew (kur'lu), a wading bird, having a long, curved bill.
custom (kus'tum), duty or toll imposed by law on commodities imported or exported.
cylindrical (si-lin'dri-kal), having the form of a cylinder.
Dalhem (dal'em), town in Belgium.
dalliance (dal'i-ans), delay; interchange of caresses.
Damfreville (dam'fre-vil), commander of the fleet.
Dante's Divine Comedy (dan'te), celebrated Italian poem in three parts, "Hell," "Purgatory," "Paradise."
dapper (dap'er), little and active; trim.
darkling (dark'ling), gloomy.
Dartmouth (dart'muth), college at Hanover, N. H.
dastard (das'tard), coward.
daunted (dant'ed), dismayed.
dauntless (dant'les), fearless.
David.
"dead of night," middle of the night.
dearth (durth), want, lack.
debatable (de-bat'a-b'l), open to question or dispute.
decease (de-ses'), death.
decisive (de-si'siv), positive, final.
decorum (de-ko'rum), proper conduct.
decree (de-kre'), law; decision given by a court or umpire.
decrepit (de-krep'it), worn out with age.
deeming (dem'mg), thinking.
defaced (de-fast'), disfigured, marred.
defer (de-fur'), postpone; yield to the wishes of another.
deference (def'er-ens), respect.
defiance (de-fi'ans), disposition to resist.
defile (de-fil'), pass between hills.
deflower (de-flou'er), deprive of flowers; take away the beauty of.
defy (de-fi'), dare.
degenerate (de-jen'er-at), grow worse or meaner.
deities (de'i-tiz), heathen gods.
delegate (del'e-gat), send as one's representative.
deliberate (de-lib'er-at), not hasty; (de-lib'er-at), weigh in one's mind.
delineate (de-lin'e-at), represent by sketch; describe.
delirious (de-lir'i-us), wild with feeling.
Delos (de'los), the smallest island of the Cyclades, according to legend originally a floating island and the birthplace of Apollo.
deluge (del'uj), flood.
delusion (de-lu'zhun), deception for want of knowledge.
delusive (de-lu'siv), deceptive.
demeanor (de-men'er), behavior.
demon (de'mon), evil spirit.
demoniac (de-mo'ni-ak), like a demon.
denotement (de-not'ment), sign or indication.
deplorably (de-plor'a-bli), grievously.
depositories (de-poz'i-to-riz), place where anything is stored for keeping.
depravity (de-prav'i-ti), corruption, wickedness.
derision (de-rizh'un), insult.
descent (de-sent'), a passing downward.
descried (de-skrid'), saw, beheld.
desert (dez'ert), solitary; empty.
designate (des'ig-nat), point out.
desist (de-zist'), stop.
desolateness (des'e-lat-nes), state of being desolate or lonely.
despair (de-spar'), give up hope.
desperate (des'per-at), hopeless, reckless.
despicable (des'pi-ka-b'l), fit to be despised; mean.
despondent (de-spon'dent), low spirited.
despotism (des'pot-iz'm), tyranny.
destined (des'tind), marked out.
destiny (des'ti-ni), doom, fate.
detained (de-tand'), kept back or from; delayed.
detract (de-trakt'), take away.
detractor (de-trak'ter), one who slanders.
deviate (de'vi-at), go put of the way.
device (de-vis'), design; invention.
devious (de'vi-us), wandering.
devoid (de-void'), destitute.
devotee (dev'o-te'), one wholly devoted.
devoutly (de-vout'li), earnestly.
dexterity (deks-ter'i-ti), skill.
dexterous (deks'ter-us), skillful, artful.
diffuse (di-fuz'), spread.
dight (dit), adorn.
dignities (dig-'ni-tiz), honors.
dike (dik), embankment to prevent flooding.
diligence (dil'i-jens), industry.
dinning (din'ing), incessant talking.
"dire-struck," struck with terror.
dirge (durj), funeral hymn.
discern (di-zurn'), see, detect.
discipline (dis'i-plin), training; punishment.
disconsolate (dis-kon'so-lat), sorrowful, comfortless.
discordant (dis-kor'dant), not harmonious.
discountenance (dis-koun'te-nans), not approve of; discourage.
discourse (dis-kors'), conversation.
discredit (dis-kred'it), disbelief.
disembogue (dis'em-bog'), discharge; flow out.
disguise (dis-giz'), change the appearance of.
dismember (dis-mem'ber), disjoint.
disperse (dis-purs'), scatter.
disputation (dis'pu-ta'shun), dispute, a reasoning on opposite sides.
disqualify (dis-kwol'i-fi), render unfit.
dissever (di-sev'er), part in two.
dissolution (dis'o-lu'shun), separating into parts.
dissonant (dis'o-nant), sounding harshly, discordant.
distaff (dis'taf), a staff holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from which thread is spun by hand.
distended (dis-tend'ed), lengthened out.
distorted (dis-tort'ed), twisted, wrested.
ditto (dit'o), exact copy.
diverge (di-vurj'), extend from a common point in different directions.
divers (di'verz), several, different.
divert (di-vurt'), turn aside.
divest (di-vest'), deprive; strip.
divine (di-vin'), godlike; foretell.
divinity (di-vin'i-ty), deity, God.
docile (dos'il), easily managed.
doctrine (dok'trin), principle of faith.
doff (dof), put off (dress).
doling (dol'n'g), giving out scantily or grudgingly.
domestic (do-mes'tik), pertaining to one's home.
domination (dom'i-na'shun), exercise of power in ruling; authority.
dormer-window (dor'mer), a vertical window in a sloping roof.
"double-reefed trysail," a sail reduced in extent doubly to adapt it to the force of the wind.
doublet (dub'let), a close-fitting coat, formerly worn.
dower (dou'er), that with which one is gifted or endowed.
drama (dra'ma), a picture of human life, especially for representation on the stage.
draught (draft), act of drinking.
drawbridge, a bridge which may be raised or let down.
"drink the cup," a biblical expression meaning endure.
dross (dros), waste matter, dregs.
Druids (droo'idz), ancient Celtic priests.
dubious (du'bi-us), doubtful, questionable.
dune (dun), a low hill of drifting sand.
dynasty (di'nas-ti), sovereignty, dominion.
ebony (eb'un-i), a hard wood capable of a fine polish; black
ecstasy (ek'sta-si), a state of over-mastering feeling; height.
eddy (ed'i), move in a circle; whirling.
edifice (ed'i-fis), splendid building.
effected (e-fekt'ed), accomplished,
efficacious (ef'i-ka'shus), capable of producing a desired effect.
efficacy (ef'i-ka-si), force.
efficient (e-fish'ent), active, helpful.
effulgence (e-ful'jens), great luster or brightness.
eke (ek), also.
election (e-lek'shun), choice
elevation (el'e-va'shun), height.
elfin (el'fin), relating to little elves or fairies.
Elfland (elf'land), fairy land.
Elijah (e-li'ja), II Kings, 2, 11.
eloquence (el'o-kwens), effective speech.
Ellwond, Thomas, a Quaker, who was a friend of Milton, and wrote a long poem on King David.
Elysian Fields (e-lizh'an), the fabled dwelling place of happy souls after death.
emancipation (e-man'si-pa'shun), freedom.
embargo (em-bar'go), restraint
embassy (em'ba-si), a solemn message.
ember (em'ber), a lighted coal, smoldering amid ashes.
emblazon (em-bla'z'n), illuminate, make light and beautiful.
emblem (em'blem), visible sign of an idea.
embosomed (em-booz'und), sheltered.
embrasure (em-bra'zhur), a window having its sides slanted on the inside.
emerge (e-murj'), appear.
emergency (e-mur'jen-si), necessity.
eminence (em'i-nens), height.
eminently (em'i-nent-li), highly.
emulation (em'u-la'shun), great desire to excel,
enchantress (en-chan'tres), a wicked fairy, who weaves spells over her victims.
encomium (en-ko'mi-um), high praise.
encompass (en-kum'pas), surround,
encore (an-kor', an'kor), again; the same.
encounter (en-koun'ter), a meeting face to face.
encroach (en-kroch'), enter gradually into anothers rights.
Encyclopaedia Britannica (en-si'klo-pe'di-a bri-tan'i-ka), a dictionary of the arts, sciences, and literature.
endeavor (en-dev'er), effort.
endow (en-dou'), enrich.
enervate (en'er-vat), weaken.
enhance (en-hans'), increase.
enjoin (en-join'), urge.
enraptured (en-rap'turd), delighted beyond measure.
ensign (en'sin), banner; national flag.
entreaty (en-tret'i), an earnest request.
envelop (en-vel'up), wrap in.
epaulet (ep'o-let), a shoulder ornament worn by military and naval officers, and indicating differences of rank.
epic (ep'ik), an heroic poem.
epicurism (ep'i-kur-iz'm), pleasures of the table.
epitaph (ep'i-taf), inscription on a tomb.
equip (e-kwip'), furnish or fit out.
equity (ek'wi-ti), fairness, impartial justice.
era (e'ra), a period of time.
eradicate (e-rad'i-kat), destroy utterly.
Erzeroum (erz'room'), the principal city of Turkish Armenia.