Some poetry will appeal to boys, even though they may look askance at most of it. Some lyrics are virile and powerful, well worthy the study of the keenest minds. There is an unfounded prejudice against poetry in many men because of the fancied puerility of it and its silly sentiment. Such a prejudice always disappears if the person reads enough and selects the things that are worthy of study. Narrative poems are more likely to appeal to men and boys than the lyrics. When the narrative is a stirring one and the action dramatic, the poetic form adds decidedly to its interest and effectiveness. Take, for instance, that little poem by Robert Browning that is known as _Incident of the French Camp_ (Volume IV, page 174). No man can read it without being stirred by it, and its appeal to boys is immediate and strong. But strong as it is, the whole influence of it may be intensified if it is discussed in the manner indicated on the pages immediately after the poem. What we would have you do is to read the little epic with your boy and talk it over with him along the lines of the comments given. It will not be necessary for you to point the moral. He will see it for himself, but if you can show a little enthusiasm and delight in the incident he will go away feeling better toward you and will be a convert to poetry, at least to some kinds of it. Later in life the lesson will come back to him and he will seek for more of the same sort. There are a great number of poems of similar import in the books. Any one of the following will be capital for reading aloud with your boy. Try them and be convinced. _Beth Gelert_, Volume III, page 42. _Sheridan's Ride_, Volume IV, page 223. _Bernardo Del Carpio_, Volume IV, page 270. _The Wooden Horse_, Volume IV, page 383. _Little Giffin of Tennessee_, Volume IV, page 461. _Bruce and the Spider_, Volume V, page 314. _How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix_, Volume V, page 335. _Sohrab and Rustum_, Volume VI, page 173. _How's My Boy?_ Volume VII, page 169. _The Battle of Ivry_, Volume VIII, page 76. _Hervé Riel_, Volume VII, page 168. Any one of the national anthems or patriotic poems is fine reading and a source for many a kindly talk that will tend to make a better citizen of your son and perhaps give you a fresher and truer conception of your own duties and responsibilities to the government. These you may readily find from the index in the tenth volume, under the title, _Patriotic Poems_.