danger,
but is, for a moment, silenced by the other's
upbraiding him for attempting to spoil the
pleasure of the evening. A repetition of the
"heavy sound" proves that he is right. The
second is a lover of pleasure, who would not
have the first speaker alarm the guests by his
gloomy anticipations. Show how the second
speaker indicates his impatience. His answers
are short, he speaks in ellipses. "On with the
dance", and "No sleep till morn". Notice the
positive tone of the first speaker in the
repetition, "It is--it is".

Stanza III

What is described here? The fate of Brunswick?
Why does the author single out Brunswick from
all the others who died? One specific case
appeals to the reader more effectually than the
report of the death of unknown thousands.
Brunswick's father had been a noted general in
the war with Napoleon. Explain, "Death's
prophetic ear". This refers to a common
superstition that "the veil of the future is
lifted to those near to death". Show how the
poet has broken the order of succession of the
pictures. Brunswick's death is recorded before
the breaking up of the ball is described.

Stanza IV

What is the theme? The farewells. What is the
emotion? Fear and anguish. What words show
this? "Gathering tears", "tremblings of
distress", "cheeks all pale", "sudden
partings", etc. Give a line in a preceding
stanza that expresses the same thought as
"mutual eyes". "Soft eyes looked love to eyes
which spake again."

Stanza V

What is described? The muster of the troops.
What is the prevailing feeling? The haste of
the soldiers and the terror of the citizens.
How does the poet show this haste? By the use
of such phrases as "hot haste", "mustering
squadron", "clattering car", "impetuous speed",
"swiftly forming", as well as by the rapid
movement of the verse. Why did the citizens of
Brussels fear, since they had not to fight?
They dreaded the pillage and ruin which would
follow a French victory. Describe the scene in
your own words--the cavalry forming in line,
the movements of the artillery, the noise of
distant cannon,