14 A FAREWELL

My fairest child, I have no song to give you;

No lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray;

Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you

For every day.

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever,

Do noble things, not dream them, all day long;

And so make life, death, and that vast forever

One grand, sweet song.

( Charles Kingsley )

Word list

pipe : to sing a song

vast : huge, enormous

You Practice

Answer the following questions.

1) Why do you think “no lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray”?

2) What advice does the poet give?

3) Why is this poem called “A Farewell”?

4) Who do you think the poet is speaking to?

5) Do you like this poem? Why or why not? pFnbPFSbgFzYS9ZY/EMAMCgui/zLn0noQtb5f3cgle1voMbYq+bDtVC/TXZKJqYf