n the last stanza the field is still further broadened until
his thought is that all we do lives after us.

SEED-TIME AND HARVEST

Whittier's intense interest in Freedom is here apparent. His earlier
poems were largely on the slavery question in America. His best work was
not done until he began to devote his poetic ability to a wider range of
subjects.

26. See Longfellow, "A Psalm of Life," 11. 9-12 and note.

THE PROPHECY of SAMUEL SEWALL

12. Samuel Sewall is one of the most interesting characters in colonial
American history. He was born in England in 1652, but came to America
while still a child. He graduated from Harvard College in 1671 and finally
became a justice of the peace. He was instrumental in the Salem witchcraft
decision, but later bitterly repented. He made in 1697 a public confession
of his share in the matter and begged that God would "not visit the sin...
upon the Land."

28. Hales Reports. Sir Matthew Hale (1609-1676) was one of the most
eminent judges of England. From 1671 to 1676 he occupied the position of
Chief Justice of the King's Bench, the highest judicial position in
England. Sewall was depending upon an authority of the day.

32. warlock's: a wizard, one who deals in incantations; synonymous with
witch.

46. Theocracy: a state governed directly by the ministers of God.

58. hand-grenade: a hollow shell, filled with explosives, arranged to be
thrown by hand among the enemy and to explode on impact.

73. Koordish robber. The Kurds were a nomadic people living in
Kurdistan, Persia, and Caucasia. They were very savage and vindictive,
specially towards Armenians. The Sheik was the leader of a clan or town
and as such had great power.

81. Newbury, Mass. Judge Sewall's father was one of the founders of the
town.

130-156. This prophecy is most effective in its use of local color for a
spiritual purpose. Beginning with local conditions which might be
changed, it broadens to include all nature which shall never grow old.

SKIPPER IRESON'S RIDE

Skipper Ireson's Ride. Whittier was told after this poem was published
that it was not historically accurate, since the crew and not Skipper
Ireson was to blame for the desertion of the wreck. He stated that he
had founded his poem on a song sung to him when he was a boy.

3. Apuleius's Golden Ass. Apuleius was a Latin satirical writer whose
greatest work was a romance or novel called "The Golden Ass." T