6. Explain the following words, which occur in the Idylls of the King-ousted, manchet-bread, vermeil-white, rapt, purblind, liever, servitor, turkis, uxoriousness. ENGLISH COMPOSITION. (I.) I. Paraphrase the following passage in prose, so as to shew clearly the full meaning, with no more amplification than is necessary. I pray thee, cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine. Whose joy of her is overwhelm'd like mine, Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine, As thus for thus, and such a grief for such, If such a one will smile, and stroke his beard; *Cry-sorrow, wag! and hem, when he should groan; But there is no such man; for, brother, men To be so moral, when he shall endure The like himself: therefore give me no counsel: Much ado about Nothing, Act v. Sc. I. *The original editions have for this line, which is Dr Johnson's correction, "And sorrow, wag, cry hem, when he should groan." You are at liberty to adopt this, or any emendation you are acquainted with. 2. Write a reply to the following extract from a letter of the Principal of a German Academy to the Head Master of an English Public School. "You are aware that, with the exception of swimming, fencing, and gymnastic exercises, we have nothing answering to the athletic sports and games which are said to form an important feature in school education in England. I hear that these sports are thought to act favourably in drawing out the energies and forming the characters of the boys. If this is your opinion, will you be so good as to point out in what way they produce this effect? It seems to us Germans that the progress of our pupils in their studies would be injured by their interest being engaged in such exciting pursuits. If you can shew me that this is not the case in your English Schools, or that the evils are decidedly outweighed by the benefits, I shall be very glad to be convinced." 3. Write a panegyric on one of the following personages: Demosthenes, Sir Isaac Newton, General Havelock. ENGLISH COMPOSITION. (II.) Paraphrase the following passage in prose, so as to shew clearly the full meaning, expressing the sentiments as much as possible in your own words: HER. Since what I am to say, must be but that Which contradicts my accusation, and The testimony on my part no other But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it, Be so receiv'd. But thus:-If powers divine I doubt not then but innocence shall make Tremble at patience.-You, my lord, best know, As I am now unhappy; which is more 2. And play'd, to take spectators: For behold me,— For life, I prize it As I weigh grief, which I would spare: for honour, 'Tis a derivative from me to mine, And only that I stand for. Winter's Tale, Act III. Sc. II. Write an Essay to which the following passage may serve for motto: For praise too dearly loved or warmly sought GOLDSMITH'S Traveller, 1. 269. 3. Give as vivid an account as you can of a day's excursion in any scenery that is familiar to you. I. ENGLISH COMPOSITION. (III.) Paraphrase the following passage in prose, so as to shew clearly the full meaning, expressing the sentiments as much as possible in your own words. I will redeem all this on Percy's head, Which, wash'd away, shall scour my shame with it. 'Would they were multitudes, and on my head 2. To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf; Yea, even the slightest worship of his time, First Part of K. Henry IV. Act III. Sc. II. for motto: Nature never did betray The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege, WORDSWORTH: Lines composed near Tintern Abbey. 3. Give, in the form of a narrative, the plot of one of Shakespeare's plays. I. ENGLISH COMPOSITION. (IV.) Paraphrase the following passage in prose, so as to shew clearly the full meaning: Nor, princes, is it matter new to us, That we come short of our suppose so far, That, after seven years' siege, yet Troy walls stand: That gav't surmised shape. Why then, you princes, And call them shames? which are, indeed, nought else 2. In fortune's love: for then, the bold and coward, SHAKESP. Troilus and Cressida; i. 3. Write an essay to which the following passage may serve as motto: They never fail who die In a great cause: the block may soak their gore; But still their spirit walks abroad. Though years They but augment the deep and sweeping thoughts The world at last to freedom. BYRON, Marino Faliero; ii. 2. 3. Write a short paper on the proverb: wears it." "No one knows where the shoe pinches but he who ENGLISH COMPOSITION. (V.) [YOU ARE ADVISED TO ANSWER QUESTION I. AND EITHER II. OR III.] 1. Paraphrase the following passage in prose, amplifying the sense where you think it necessary, and expressing the sentiments as much as possible in your own words. Give thy thoughts no tongue, Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. |