Question

Read the following extract and do the given activities:

A1. God bestowed many good qualities on man. Refer to the poem and list any four of them:

When God at first made Man, Having a glass of blessings standing by; Let us (said He) “pour on him all we can:” Let the world’s riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span. So strength first made a way; Then beauty flow’d, then wisdom, honour, pleasure: When almost all was out, God made a stay, Perceiving that alone of all His treasures Rest in the bottom lay.  For if I should (said He) Bestow this jewel also on my creature, He would adore my gifts instead of me, And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature. So both should losers be. Yet let him keep the rest, But keep them with repining restlessness; Let him be rich and weary, that at last, If goodness lead him not, yet weariness May toss him to my breast.

A2. What would the human being do if God gifted him with Rest?         [2]

A3. The rhyme scheme of the poem ..............             [1]

1. a a b b c
2. a b c b c
3. a b с с b
4. a b a b a

Answer 1

A1. Four qualities God bestowed on man:

1. Strength
2. Beauty
3. Wisdom
4. Honour

A2. If God gave man Rest, the man would adore God’s gifts instead of God and “rest in Nature, not the God of Nature” (i.e., turn away from God).

A3. The rhyme scheme of the poem a b a b a.