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Hark, hark! the lark at heaven’s gate sings;
And Phoebus ’gins arise,
His steeds to water at those springs
On chaliced flowers that lies;
And winking Mary-buds begin
To ope their golden eyes.
With every thing that pretty is,
My lady sweet, arise,
Arise, arise.
( William Shakespeare )
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), a famous English poet and the greatest dramatist the world has produced, was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England.At the age of twenty-two, after his marriage with Anne Hathaway, he moved to London, where for twenty-five years he wrote poems and plays, was an actor, and later became a shareholder in a theater. This was the time of Queen Elizabeth and is known as the Elizabethan Age. It was a period rich in genius of many kinds, but especially in the creation of dramatic literature. In 1612 Shakespeare retired to Stratford, where he spent the last few years of his life.
chaliced : cup shaped
Answer the following questions.
1) What time of day does the lark sing “at heaven’s gate”?
2) By what other name is Phoebus known?
3) What was watering the steeds a preparation for?
4) How does the poet’s choice of opening marigolds add to the picture?
5) Which lines do you think are the most pleasing in this lyric?