"Screams his matins to the day." What is meant? What idea does the author wish to convey by this mention of the bird? Out of hearing "of the clang of his hammer" gives a strong impression of the great height of the gorge. Of what "giant" are we made to think? What is meant by "skirts of mist"? The teacher's reading of this stanza, a part at a time, if it is taken up in that way, or all at once, should aid much in impressing upon the minds of the pupils the wonderful beauty of the scene described, and this is the main purpose of the lesson. Stanza II The author is paddling down the river. Describe the movement. What shows that the mist has risen from the surface of the water? What indicates the calmness of the river? What things connected with himself does the author show to be in harmony with the scene? How does he indicate the harmony in each of the following: The motion of his canoe, the surface of the water, his own activity, the force of gravity, the character of the morning, and the forest life? We should expect him to dip his paddle very quietly, if he felt the calmness of the morning, but to show that the "silence" pervades all nature, the very drops of water from the paddle blades seem to fall gently, in sympathy with the spirit of silence reigning all around. What are the "river reaches"? The reach is the stretch of the river between two bends. How are they "borne in a mirror"? The high cliff-like banks are mirrored in the surface of the water. Explain the colour "purple gray". It is the colour of the image of the banks in the water. What is meant by "sheer away"? It means that the "river reaches" curve away like a winding road. Try to see the picture of the winding river, apparently growing smaller as it passes curve after curve. As it seems to recede into the distance, the surface of the river forms a "misty line of light", just before it melts into the shadows of the forest. Where do the forest and the stream seem to meet? What does the word "plight" suggest about their meeting? What suggests a meeting-place out of sight? Why is the meeting represented as taking place in the shadow? Now what is described in the second stanza? "As a cloud", "like a dream". Do these make the meaning clearer? Explain. Are these comparisons apt? Show the fitness of "silvery", "crystal deep", "asleep". Stanza III