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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students
Poetry Library

— Stephen Crane

I stood upon a high place,

And saw, below, many devils

Running, leaping,

And carousing in sin.

…

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adjective

Engaged in or ready for action; characterized by energetic work, thought, or speech.

“The students were very active in class discussions, asking many thoughtful questions.”

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SCENE VIII.

33 lines
Samuel Johnson·1709–1784
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Enter_ HASAN, CARAZA, _with mutes, who throw the blackrobe upon_ IRENE, _and sign to her attendants to withdraw_. HASAN.Forgive, fair excellence, th' unwilling tongue,The tongue, that, forc'd by strong necessity,Bids beauty, such as thine, prepare to die. IRENE.What wild mistake is this! Take hence, with speed,Your robe of mourning, and your dogs of death.Quick from my sight, you inauspicious monsters;Nor dare, henceforth, to shock Irene's walks. HASAN.Alas! they come commanded by the sultan,Th' unpitying ministers of Turkish justice,Nor dare to spare the life his frown condemns. IRENE.Are these the rapid thunderbolts of war,That pour with sudden violence on kingdoms,And spread their flames, resistless, o'er the world?What sleepy charms benumb these active heroes,Depress their spirits, and retard their speed?Beyond the fear of ling'ring punishment,Aspasia now, within her lover's arms,Securely sleeps, and, in delightful dreams,Smiles at the threat'nings of defeated rage. CARAZA.We come, bright virgin, though relenting natureShrinks at the hated task, for thy destruction.When summon'd by the sultan's clam'rous fury,We ask'd, with tim'rous tongue, th' offender's name,He struck his tortur'd breast, and roar'd, Irene!We started at the sound, again inquir'd;Again his thund'ring voice return'd, Irene!
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