READ THE NEXT TWO POEMS: Which poem has more poetic merit? Explain.
A POISON TREE
I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I watered it in fears
Night and morning with my tears,
And I sunned it with smiles
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright,
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine,--
And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning, glad, I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
THE MOST VITAL THING When you feel like saying something
That you know you will regret,
Or keenly feel and insult
Not quite easy to forget,
That’s the time to curb resentment
And maintain a mental peace,
For when your mind is tranquil
All your ill-thoughts simply cease.
It is easy to be angry
When defrauded or defied,
To be peeved and disappointed
If your wishes are denied;
But to win a worthwhile battle
Over selfishness and spite,
You must learn to keep strict silence
Though you know you’re in the right.
So keep your mental balance
When confronted by a foe,
Be it enemy in ambush,
Or some danger that you know.
If you are poised and tranquil
When all around is strife,
Be assured that you have mastered
The most vital thing in life.
Which is the better poem and why?
SOME KEEP THE SABBATH GOING
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church-
I keep it, staying at Home-
With a Bobolink for a Chorister-
And an Orchard, for a Dome-Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice-
I just wear my Wings-
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton-sings.God preaches, a noted Clergyman-
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at least-
I'm going, all along.
MY CHURCH
My church has but one temple,
Wide as the world is wide,
Set with a million stars,
Where a million hearts abide.
My church has no creed to bar
A single brother man
But says, "Come thou and worship"
To every one who can.
My church has no roof nor walls,
Nor floors save the beautiful sod --
For fear, I would seem to limit
The love of the illimitable God.
Eugene Onegin in English
READ THE NEXT TWO POEMS: Which poem has more poetic merit? Explain.
THE MOST VITAL THING
When you feel like saying something
That you know you will regret,
Or keenly feel and insult
Not quite easy to forget,
That’s the time to curb resentment
And maintain a mental peace,
For when your mind is tranquil
All your ill-thoughts simply cease.
It is easy to be angry
When defrauded or defied,
To be peeved and disappointed
If your wishes are denied;
But to win a worthwhile battle
Over selfishness and spite,
You must learn to keep strict silence
Though you know you’re in the right.
So keep your mental balance
When confronted by a foe,
Be it enemy in ambush,
Or some danger that you know.
If you are poised and tranquil
When all around is strife,
Be assured that you have mastered
The most vital thing in life.
Which is the better poem and why?
SOME KEEP THE SABBATH GOING
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church-
I keep it, staying at Home-
With a Bobolink for a Chorister-
And an Orchard, for a Dome-Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice-
I just wear my Wings-
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton-sings.God preaches, a noted Clergyman-
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at least-
I'm going, all along.
MY CHURCH
My church has but one temple,
Wide as the world is wide,
Set with a million stars,
Where a million hearts abide.
My church has no creed to bar
A single brother man
But says, "Come thou and worship"
To every one who can.
My church has no roof nor walls,
Nor floors save the beautiful sod --
For fear, I would seem to limit
The love of the illimitable God.