150
If I sat on the door-side bench,
And, while her spindle made a trench
Fantastically in the dust,
Inquired of all her fortunes--just
Her children's ages and their names, 155
And what may be the husband's aims
For each of them. I'd talk this out,
And sit there, for an hour about,
Then kiss her hand once more, and lay
Mine on her head, and go my way. 160

So much for idle wishing--how
It steals the time! To business now.

--_Robert Browning (By permission)_

PREPARATORY.--What is the historical back-ground of this
poem? Suggest the possible details of the exiled
patriot's life in England, his surroundings and frame of
mind at the moment of speaking.

Reconstruct for yourself the three scenes of which the
peasant woman is the centre.

What qualities did the Italian at once recognize in the
peasant woman which led him to intrust his safety to
her?

79. WHENCE COMES PEACE? In what Quality of voice is this
read? Give your reason. (Introduction, p. 34.)

95. HE COULD DO MUCH. How is the doubt in this speech
and in the one following indicated by the Inflection?
(Introduction, p. 18.)

111-112. With what is THOUGHT CONCERNING connected? How?

120-123. I KNOW AT LEAST ... HANDS. What Quality of
voice expresses the feeling here? What succeeding lines
have the same Quality? (Introduction, p. 35.) With what
is NEXT connected? How?

139-142. FREEDOM GROWS LICENSE ... ENDURE. How is the
irony of these lines indicated? (Introduction, pp. 21
and 30.)

How does the mood of the last two lines differ from the
preceding? What is the difference in vocal expression?

* * * * *

ADVANTAGES OF IMPERIAL FEDERATION

From an address delivered in Toronto, January 30th, 1891, under the
auspices of the Imperial Federation League

I now go on to mention another and greater advantage of Imperial
Federation than the one which we have just been considering; an
advantage too that is so connected with that of improved trade that
the two must be considered together. In fact, in my opinion, the first
is not likely to be obtained without the second. We cannot expect
Britain to concede preferential trade to us, on the ground that we are
part of the Empire, unless we are willing to share the
responsibilities of the Empire. I say then, secon