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Elegy written in a country churchyard (prose order)


Elegy  written in a country church yard
                               THOMAS GRAY

The curfew (the time of a restriction) tolls (rings) the knell (ring) of a parting (departing) day, the lowing (mooing) herd (drove) wind (bend) slowly o’er (over) the lea (grassy land), the weary (tired) homeward (going towards home) plowman (ploughman) plods (walks slowly with heavy steps) his way, and the world leaves (goes) to darkness and the world (field) leaves (disappears) to me.

Now, the glimmering (shining) landscape (scene) fades (vanishes) on the sight (vision, eyesight), and all the air holds (occupies, bears) a solemn (gloomy) stillness (silence) save (except) where (that) the droning (buzzing) beetle (insect) wheels (revolves) his flight (wing) and the drowsy (tired) tinklings (ringings) of the sheep lull (soothe) the distant (remote) folds (the place where sheep are kept)

Now, the glimmering (shining) landscape (scene) fades (vanishes) on the sight (vision, eyesight), and all the air holds (occupies, bears) a solemn (gloomy) stillness (silence) save (except) that the moping (brooding) owl does complain to the moon from that yonder ivy (climbing plant) mantled (covered) tower (pillar). The moping (brooding) owl, wandering (roaming, strolling) near her secret bower (pleasant place), does molest (disturb) her ancient solitary (deserted) reign (empire)

The rude (ignorant) forefathers of the hamlet (small village) laid (rested) for ever to sleep in his each narrow cell (cavity) beneath those rugged (lined) elms (a tall tree) and beneath those yew-tree’s shade where the turf (grass) heaves (swells) in many a mould (shape) of ring heap (pile).

The breezy (fresh) call of incense (scent)-breathing morn (morning) shall no more rouse them (the rude forefathers) from their lowly (humble, simple) bed. The swallow twittering (chirping) from the straw (stalks of grain)-built shed shall no more rouse them (the rude forefathers) from their lowly (humble, simple) bed. The cock’s shrill (sharp) clarion (loudness) shall no more rouse them (the rude forefathers) from their lowly (humble, simple) bed or the echoing horn shall no more rouse them (the rude forefathers) from their lowly (humble, simple) bed.

The blazing (flaming) hearth (fire place) shall no more burn for them (the rude forefathers) or busy housewife shall no more ply (follow) her evening care for them (the rude forefathers). No children run to their sire’s (father’s) return to lisp (to speak with a lisp) or no children climb (go up) his knees to share the envied (wanted) kiss.

Oft (often), their sickle (a tool used for cutting grass) did yield (surrender) to the harvest (crop). Their furrow (plough) has oft (often) broke (broken) the stubborn (unbending) glebe (land, fields). How jocund (cheerful) they did drive their team  (animals) afield (far away from home)! How their sturdy (powerful) stroke (hit) bowed (bent) the woods beneath!

Let not ambition (ambitious persons) mock (laugh) at their useful (handy) toil (work). Let not ambition (ambitious persons) mock (laugh) at their homely joys and let not ambition (ambitious persons) mock (laugh) at their obscure (inglorious) destiny (fate). Let not grandeur (grand people) hear the short and simple annals (histories) of the poor with a disdainful  (scornful) smile.

The boast of heraldry (families) awaits (waits for)  th’ (the) inevitable (unavoidable) hour alike. The pomp (vanity) of power awaits (waits for) th’ (the) inevitable (unavoidable) hour alike and all that beauty that wealth e’er (ever) gave, awaits (waits for) th’ (the) inevitable (unavoidable) hour alike. The paths of glory lead (go) but (only) to the grave.

Neither you (singular) nor ye (you- plural) impute memory raise no trophies o’er (over) their tomb (grave) where the pealing (sounding) anthem (song) swells (spread) the note (record) of praise through the long-drawn aisle (passage) and fretted (rubbed) vault (tomb). (blame) the fault to these (rude forefathers) if

......................................................................................................TO BE CONTINUED



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