Matthew Arnold's Sohrab and Rustum and Other Poems Part 34

=38-57=. Discuss the poet's idea of the future life as set forth in these lines. Can you think of any other author or authors who have held a like view?

=58-59=. The poet asks this question only to answer it in the lines following. Compare and contrast the two cla.s.ses of men spoken of; their aims in life and their achievements. Why is the path of those who have chosen a "clear-purposed goal" pictured so difficult? Who are they that start well, but fall out by the wayside? [211]

=90-93=. Compare with Byron's description of a storm in the Alps, Canto III, _Childe Harold_.

"Far along, From peak to peak, the rattling crags among Leaps the live thunder."

=98-101=. So unstable is the hold of the "snow-beds" on the mountain sides that travellers pa.s.sing beneath them are forbidden by the guides to speak, lest their voices precipitate an avalanche. See ll. 160-169, _Sohrab and Rustum_.

=117-123=. What human frailties are indicated in the answer to the host's question? Note the contrast in the succeeding lines.

=124-144=. The imagery of these lines is drawn from Dr. Arnold's life at Rugby. Under his care frequent excursions were made into the neighboring Westmoreland Hills. Nothing perhaps gives a better idea of the man than the description of his "delight in those long mountain walks, when they would start with their provisions for the day, himself the guide and life of the party, always on the lookout how best to break the ascent by gentle stages, comforting the little ones in their falls and helping forward those who were tired, himself always keeping with the laggers, that none might strain their strength by trying to be in front with him; and then, when his a.s.sistance was not wanted, the liveliest of all--his step so light, his eye so quick in finding flowers to take home to those who were not of the party."--ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY.

=171. In the rocks=. That is, among the rocks.

=190. Ye=. Antecedent?

=208. City of G.o.d=.

"There is a river the streams whereof shall make glad the _city of G.o.d_."

--_Psalms_, xlvi: 4.