THE LILY CONFIDANTE (PAGE 293)
QUESTIONS, i. Whom does the lover select as the confidante of his
secret? 2. What question does he ask the lily? 3. What answer does the lily make?
MAGNOLIA CEMETERY ODE (PAGE 295)
This lyric was sung on the occasion of decorating the graves of the Confederate dead in Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, South Carolina, in 1867. It has been greatly admired, one of the most notable expres sions of admiration being that of Whittier when he said that it was
"in its simple grandeur, the noblest poem ever written by a Southern poet." More recently Professor Trent has said of it, "One need not fear for this once to compare a South Carolina poem with the best lyric of the kind in the literature of the world." no marble column: a monument was later erected, consisting of a bronze color bearer on a granite pedestal.
QUESTIONS, i. What is the wish of the poet for the fallen heroes?
2. In what way does the poem show Southern gallantry? 3. With what picture does the poem close?
FRANCIS ORRAY TICKNOR
LITTLE GIFFEN (PAGE 297)
This poem relates an almost literally true story. The boy was Isaac Newton Giffen, the son of an East Tennessee blacksmith. After being severely wounded, probably in the battle of Chickamauga, he was nursed back to life by Dr. and Mrs. Ticknor at their home, "Torch Hill." It is believed that he was afterwards killed in the battles around Atlanta. Johnston: General Joseph Johnston, a Confederate commander. The battles of Dallas and Kenesaw Mountain are perhaps referred to. Golden Ring: the Round Table, King Arthur s group of knights.
QUESTIONS, i. Note the conciseness of detail with which the inci
dent is told. 2. What does the poem show regarding the loyalty of the poorer classes in the South to the cause of the Confederacy?
