English Summary - ABC

THE DYING DAY The lights of even flow on high- Lilac and fading rose and gold- That drift from east into the west, For day is growing old. Still the thrush sings, the blackbirds cry, And young lambs scamper through the fold, Nor seek the mother's side to rest, Nor feel the breeze bite cold. Wide waves of darkness dim the sky; Day leaves the woodland and the wood; Eyes shut in Holt and feathered nest; The curfew's knell is knocked. EDEN PHILLPOTTS Summary: 'The Dying Day' by Eden Phillpots captures the serene yet melancholic atmosphere of twilight. The poem describes the fading lights of evening, painted in lilac, rose, and gold, as they drift from east to west, signaling the aging of the day. Despite the encroaching darkness, nature remains active; the thrush continues to sing, blackbirds cry, and young lambs play in the fold, seemingly oblivious to the growing cold. As the waves of darkness envelop the sky, day retreats from the woodland, and eyes close in both Holt an...

EVENING The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea. The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me. Now fades the glimmering landscape on the sight, And all the air a solemn stillness holds, Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight, And drowsy tinklings lull the distant folds; Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tow'r The moping owl does to the moon complain Of such as, wand'ring near her secret bow'r, Molest her ancient solitary reign. THOMAS GRAY Summary: 'Evening' by Thomas Gray reflects on the quiet and contemplative atmosphere as a day transitions into night. The tolling curfew signals the end of the day, as the herd slowly makes its way home and the weary ploughman heads back. The poem describes the fading landscape and the solemn stillness that envelops the surroundings. The only sounds breaking the silence are the drone of a beetle and the distant tinklings that lull t...

SUMMER RAIN The mountain streams are silent Or whisper faint and low, The Earth is grateful to the dews For moisture which the clouds refuse; Blow, West Wind,-blow! And fall, O gentle Rain! Awake the music of the bowers, Unfold the beauty of the flowers; The cornfields long to hear thy voice, And woods and orchards will rejoice To see thee, gentle Rain! It comes! The gushing wealth descends! Hark! how it patters on the leaves! Hark! how it drips from cottage eaves! The pastures and the clouds are friends; Drop gently, gentle Rain! The fainting corn-stalk lifts its head, The grass grows greener at the tread, The woods are musical again; And from the hill-side springing, Down comes the torrent singing, With grateful nature in accord, A full-voiced anthem to the Lord. To thank Him for the Rain. C. MACKAY Summary: 'Summer Rain' by C. Mackay is a poetic celebration of rain's arrival during a dry season. It appeals to the West Wind to bring gentle rain, thanking it for the moist...

BRIGHT MORNING There was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily and fell in clouds; But now the sun is rising calin and bright: The birds are singing in the distant woods; Over his own sweet voice the Stock-dove broods; The Jay makes answer as the Magpie chatters; And all the air is filled with pleasant noise of waters. All things that love the sun are out of doors; The sky rejoices in the morning's birth; The grass is bright with raindrops; on the moors The hare is running races in her mirth; And with her feet she from the plashy earth Raises a mist, that, glittering in the sun, Runs with her all the way, wherever she doth run. WILLIAM WORDSWORTH Summary: The poem 'Bright Morning' by William Words worth paints a vivid picture of a tranquil and rejuvenated morning after a night of storm and rain. The narrator describes the dramatic change in weather, moving from a tumultuous night to a calm and radiant sunrise. The poem begins with a description of the previ...

CUCKOO His voice runs before me; I follow, it flies; It is now in the meadow, and now in the skies; So blithesome, so lightsome, now distant, now here And when he calls 'Cuckoo,' the summer is near. He calls back the roses, red roses that went At the first blast of winter, so sad and for spent, With dew in their bosoms, young roses and dear, And when he calls 'Cuckoo,' the summer is near. I would twine him a gold cage, but what would he do For his world of the emerald, his bath In the blue, And his wee feathered comrades to make him good cheer? And when he calls 'Cuckoo,' the summer is near. Now, blackbird, give over your harping of gold! Brown thrush and green linne, your music with- hold! The flutes of the forest are silver and clear, But when he calls 'Cuckoo,' the summer is here  KATHARINE TYNAN Summary: The poem 'Cuckoo' by Katharine Tynan celebrates the arrival of summer through the recurring call of the cuckoo bird. The narrator describes...

 TO THE CUCKOO O blithe New-comer! I have heard, I hear thee and rejoice. O Cuckoo! shall I call thee Bird, Or but a wandering Voice? While I am lying on the grass Thy twofold shout I hear, From hill to hill it seems to pass, At once far off, and near. Thrice welcome, darling of the Spring! Even yet thou art to me No bird, but an invisible thing, A voice, a mystery. WILLIAM WORDSWORTH Summary: 'To the Cuckoo' by William Wordsworth expresses the poet's delight upon hearing the call of the cuckoo. The speaker addresses the cuckoo as a 'blithe New-comer' and expresses joy upon hearing its call. The speaker contemplates whether to consider the cuckoo a bird or simply a wandering voice, highlighting the unique and captivating nature of its sound. As the speaker lies on the grass, the cuckoo's twofold shout is heard, echoing from hill to hill, creating a sense of both distance and proximity. The poet welcomes the cuckoo as the darling of spring, appreciating its arri...

  THE POOR MAN'S PIG Already fallen plum-bloom stars the green, And apple-boughs as knarred as old toads' backs Wear their small roses ere a rose is seen; The building thrush watches old Job who stacks Their fresh-peeled osiers on the sunny fence, The pent sow grunts to hear him stumping by, And tries to push the bolt and scamper thence, But her ringed snout still keeps her to the sty. Then out he lets her run; away she snorts In building gallop for the cottage door, With hungry hubbub begging crusts and orts, Then like the whirlwind bumping round once more, Nuzzling the dog, making the pullets run, And sulky as a child when her play's done. EDMUND BLUNDEN Summary: 'The Poor Man's Pig' by Edmund Blunden presents a vivid scene of rural life as it captures the ambiance of a farm in spring. The poem describes the blossoming plum and apple trees, setting the stage for the observations of a poor man named Job. Job is seen peeling osiers, and the building thrush, a bi...

THE PRINCESS AND THE GIPSIES As I looked out May morning I saw the tree-tops green ; I said, 'My crown I will lay down And love no more a queen.' Then I tripped down my golden steps, All in my silken gown, And when I stood in the open wood I met some gipsies brown. 'O gentle, gentle gipsies, That roam the wide world through, Because I hate my crown and state Oh, let me come with you. 'My councillors are old and grey, And sit in narrow chairs; But you can hear the birds sing clear, And your hearts are as light as theirs.' 'If you would come along with us, Then you must count the cost; For though in Spring the sweet birds sing, In Winter comes the frost. 'Your ladies serve you all the day With courtesy and care; Your fine-shod feet they tread so neat; But gipsies' feet go bare. 'You wash in water running warm Through basins all of gold; The streams where we roam have silvery foam, But the streams - the streams are cold. 'And the battery - bread is ...

 A SONG A lake and a fairy boat To sail in the moonlight clear, And merrily we would float From the dragons that watch us here. Thy gown should be snow-white silk, And strings of orient pearls, Like gossamers dipped in milk, Should twine with thy raven curls. Red rubies should deck thy hands, And diamonds should be thy dower- But fairies have broken their wands, And wishing has lost its power. THOMAS HOOD Summary: 'A Song' by Thomas Hood describes a picturesque scene of a lake and a fairy boat sailing in the clear moonlight. The speaker envisions a joyous float away from the watchful eyes of dragons. The imagined companion is adorned in a gown of snow-white silk, with strings of orient pearls entwined in raven curls. The hands are adorned with red rubies, and diamonds are mentioned as part of the fairy's dowry. However, the whimsical atmosphere takes a turn as the speaker notes that fairies have broken their wands, and wishing has lost its power, introducing an element of e...

A long time ago, people used to be sold as slaves in the market place just like cattle. One day, in the time of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, some cruel and nasty men brought a small boy whom they had stolen from his parents to be sold in the market place in Makka. When the Prophet's wife, Khadija, came to know of this, may Allah be pleased with her, she went to the market place and bought the boy for a very small sum of money. Khadija took the boy to the Prophet Muhammad, may the blessings and peace of Allah be on him and his family, who, because of his love for children, was saddened to see a little boy who had become separated from his parents and had no-one else to look after him. From then on, the Prophet cared for him with such love and affection that the small boy could not even think of leaving him. After some time had passed, the small boy's real father came to know of his son's whereabouts, and after coming to Makka his search led ...