For the wheels were just as strong as the thills, First of November, 'Fifty-five! Then something decidedly like a spill,- End of the wonderful one-hoss shay. -Oliver Wendell Holmes Words: shay-a word used by some people for "chaise," a twowheeled carriage. See the picture of a chaise in the large dictionary; parson-preacher; deacon-an officer in the church; felloe-a part of the rim of a wheel; thoroughbrace-leather strap; thills-shafts; bison-buffalo; encore a word that calls one to repeat what he has just said or sung. Holmes's meaning is that he would simply repeat the description of the preceding parts; logic-correct reasoning. Questions: Note that the point of the poem, the point that makes possible all the rest, is found in the second line. What do you think of the Deacon's reasoning? Who is meant in lines 10-11? How does Holmes fix the date on which the carriage was completed? How does he prepare you to expect something important in fifty-five? Can you imagine Holmes laughing as he shows that the story must end as it does? THE OLD MAN DREAMS (The Bible says: "A merry heart doth good like a medicine." In this poem and others written by Dr. Holmes we feel the cheering influence of the kindly author's merry heart.) -My listening angel heard the prayer, And calmly smiling, said, "If I but touch thy silvered hair, Thy hasty wish hath sped.° "But is there nothing in thy track While the swift seasons hurry back "Ah, truest soul of womankind! Without thee, what were life? One bliss I can not leave behind: I'll take-my-precious-wife!" -The angel took a sapphire pen "And is there nothing yet unsaid Before the change appears? Remember, all their gifts have fled With those dissolving years!"' "Why, yes; for memory would recall I could not bear to leave them all; The smiling angel dropped his pen,- And so I laughed,—my laughter woke And wrote my dream, when morning broke, -Oliver Wendell Holmes Words: trophies-accomplishments, successes; sped-been granted. Questions: Do you believe that Dr. Holmes ever lost his youthful spirit? Have you ever heard it said that some people are sixty years old, while others are sixty years young? It may interest you to know that one of Dr. Holmes's "gray-haired boys" is a member of the United States Supreme Court. The mossy marbles rest On the lips that he has prest And the names he loved to hear My grandmamma has said- That he had a Roman nose, And his cheek was like a rose But now his nose is thin, And it rests upon his chin And a crook is in his back, I know it is a sin For me to sit and grin At him here; But the old three-cornered hat, And if I should live to be The last leaf upon the tree Let them smile, as I do now, At the old forsaken bough Where I cling. -Oliver Wendell Holmes |