KING SOLOMON AND THE ANTS THIS poem is based upon an old legend found in the Koran, the sacred book of the Mohammedans. As King Solomon was thought to be the wisest of men, it is not strange that this legend told of his power to talk with birds, insects, and with other animals. Whittier has taken this legend, and from it produced this excellent poem. This is the legend as found in the Koran: Solomon inherited from David the gift of prophecy and knowledge, and he said, "O men, I have been taught the language of birds, and have bestowed on me of everything wherewith prophets and kings are gifted." His armies of demons and men and birds were gathered together unto Solomon, and they were led on in order, until, when they came unto the valley of ants, the queen of the ants, having seen the troops of Solomon, said, "O ants, enter your habitations, lest Solomon and his troops crush you violently, while they perceive not." And Solomon smiled, afterwards laughing at her saying, which he heard from a distance of three miles, the wind conveying it to him; so he withheld his forces, when he came in sight of their valley, until the ants had entered their dwellings. The ants represent the multitude of common people. The King and Queen represent the rich and powerful. The ants think the rich and powerful crush them to death at will. The Queen, representing a certain type of rich and powerful people still to be found in every country, says that these ants ought to be thankful to be tramped upon by so great a king. But Solomon, representing true greatness, tells her that the "wise and strong seek the welfare of the weak." His train imitate their leader and turn aside to spare the home and lives of these creatures. KING SOLOMON AND THE ANTS 1 Out from Jerusalem The king rode with his great Proud in the Syrian sun, 1 1 Used by special arrangement with the publishers, The Houghton Mifflin Company. Wisest of men, he knew The languages of all The creatures great or small That trod the earth or flew. Across an ant-hill led The king's path, and he heard "Here comes the king men greet The great king bowed his head, Of the Queen of Sheba's eyes "O king!" she whispered sweet, "Thou of the God-lent crown, "Nay," Solomon replied, "The wise and strong should seek The welfare of the weak," And turned his horse aside. His train, with quick alarm, The jeweled head bent low; "Happy must be the State -John Greenleaf Whittier. NOTES 1. Locate Jerusalem, Syria, and Ethiopia. 2. Find what you can about King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. 3. Be prepared to explain the meanings of the following: lords of state, gold and purple sheen, interpreted, heedless, wide surprise, perish, gracious, God-lent crown, peopled mound, jeweled head. EXERCISES 1. Give, in your own words, the legend upon which this poem is based. 2. What great leaders were at the head of this Royal Procession? 3. Why was Solomon called the wisest of men? Just how wise was he thought to be? 4. What message did the King interpret from the small folk of the ant-hill. 5. What was the effect of the message upon the Queen of Sheba? 6. As a result, what flattering statement did the Queen make to Solomon? 7. What was Solomon's reply? 8. What effect did Solomon's thoughtfulness of these little creatures have upon the Queen? 9. What effect did Solomon's action have upon his train? 10. From this poem, what was the secret of the worth and wisdom of Solomon? 11. What idea of justice and mercy do we get from this poem? ADDITIONAL READINGS GOULD: The Pebble and the Acorn. HOWITT: The Spider and the Fly. MACKAY: Song of Life. COWPER: The Nightingale and the Glow-worm. SMEDLEY: The Discovery. THOREAU: The Battle of the Ants. LOOK FOR SUNSHINE If the day be dark and dreary If you're feeling sad and weary Look for sunshine. You will always find a path of blue Friends are falling every day For want of sunshine. If you help the world in seeing You are always sure of being In the sunshine. -Louise Pye. |