ENGLISH LEARNING

RAIN ON THE ROOF  -COATES KINNEY When the sky is covered with dark clouds and it starts raining, have you ever listened to the patter of the soft rain on the roof? What thoughts flashed through your mind as you heard this melody of nature? Read the poem to find out what the poet dreamed of while listening to the rain. When the humid shadows hover Over all the starry spheres  And the melancholy darkness Gently weeps in rainy tears,  What a bliss to press the pillow  Of a cottage-chamber bed And lie listening to the patter  Of the soft rain overhead! Every tinkle on the shingles  Has an echo in the heart; And a thousand dreamy fancies Into busy being start, And a thousand recollections Weave their air-threads into woof, As I listen to the patter Of the rain upon the roof. Now in memory comes my mother, As she used in years agone, To regard the darling dreamers Ere she left them till the dawn: O! I feel her fond look on me As I list to this refrain Which is played upon the shingles By the

THE HAPPY PRINCE High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was covered all over with thin layers of fine gold. His eyes were two brilliant sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on the hilt of his sword. The statue was very much admired by all the townspeople. One night a little Swallow flew over the city. His friends had gone away to Egypt several weeks before but he stayed behind because of his love for a beautiful reed. He had met her early in the spring, and had been attracted by her lovely slender form. ‘Shall I love you?’ asked the Swallow in his direct way. The reed said nothing but made him a low and graceful bow. The Swallow flew round and round her, dipping the tips of his wings into the silver rippling water. His courtship lasted all summer and he refused to listen to the taunts of the other swallows. In the autumn they all flew away and left him with his lady-love. When he was alone with her he began to find her less exciting for she ne