Question

Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:

King Francis was a hearty king, and a royal sport, And one day as his lions fought, sat on the court; The nobles filled the benches, and the ladies in their pride, And ‘mongst them sat the Count de Lorge, with one for whom he sighed: And truly ‘twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show, Valour and love, and a king above, and the royal beasts below.

1. Where was the king sitting? What kind of person was he? (Understanding and Analysis)
2. For whom did the king ‘sigh’, and why? (Analysis)
3. Who are referred to as “valour and love”? (Analysis)
4. What picture of De Lorge’s beloved has the poet given later in the context? (Understanding)
5. Why did De Lorge’s beloved think of testing his valour? (Analysis)

Answer 1

1. One day, King Francis was sitting in his court watching his lions fight. He was surrounded by his courtiers and their ladies. The poet describes King Francis as a kind, cheerful king who enjoyed royal sports.
2. The king sighed when he looked at Count de Lorge’s beloved because she was very beautiful and charming. He admired her beauty and felt jealous that the Count had such a lovely lady.
3. The words “valour and love” refer to the feelings of bravery and love in the hearts of the people watching the grand show. They were enjoying the exciting scene of the king above and the lions below.
4. Later in the poem, De Lorge's beloved is described as a very beautiful and lively lady with a bright smile and shining eyes. She liked to attract the attention and admiration of everyone, including the king. She was also proud and vain, and did not realize that asking De Lorge to risk his life for her glove could be very dangerous.
5. De Lorge’s beloved wanted to test his bravery and love. She believed that he was very brave and would do anything for her. Since the king and everyone in the court were watching, she dropped her glove into the lions’ pit so that De Lorge could prove his love. She hoped that if he succeeded, everyone would admire both him and her.