No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
W.H.Davis (1871—1940)
What do you consider to be the author's message of the poem? 2. What is the author's attitude towards the life
full of care? 3. Show how the reader is constantly reminded of the poor life he lives. 4. In view of the contents of the
poem, what is hinted at in the title "Leisure"? 5. Observe whether irony enters into the author's treatment of the
subject. 6. Choose two words or phrases which you find particularly vivid. Comment on each of them so as to con -
vey the reasons why you find them effective. 7. The poet treats his subject in a very lovely and interesting manner.
One way in which he sustains interest is by using expressions which suggest that there is something "human" about
nature. Find in the poem what is often used with reference to human beings. 8. What do the images of the poem
suggest are the poet's feelings about nature? 9. Bring out the effectiveness of the repetition in the poem. 10. Would
you recommend the poem to a friend? Give your brief reasons. 11. Suppose that you had some reasons to get up an
hour before dawn. Describe the signs and stages by which the rest of the world "wakes up". 12. As a teacher you
propose to introduce this poem to your pupils. Prepare your introductory talk.
5. Work in pairs or in small groups. Use the phrase list of the Topical Vocabulary:
1.
You've been chatting to a friendly fellow-hiker on your way to the meeting place about your last year experience
on a hiking tour.
2. You have been invited to join your friend's family on a hiking tour. You've never been before and you want to
know much about the new experience.
3. A friend is saying good-bye to you as you are about to go off on a short hiking tour. You are not convinced you are
going to enjoy yourself.
4. You have arranged with your friend, Mike, to go out for a picnic. But it is pouring with rain.
5. At your English Department you have planned an end-of- term walking tour. You speak to your teacher about the
arrangements.
6. You and some friends are planning a hiking tour, but you want to do something unusual.
7. You are going on a hiking tour and have discovered that you have no rucksack. You remember your friend Jane
has an old rucksack that she probably isn't using. You telephone her.