Laurel · Henry Wadsworth Longfellow · Evangeline

Part I, Section II

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882) · 1847

dactylic hexameter · unrhymed · 120 lines · from Evangeline

Read it with the toolsAnalyse this poemAll of Evangeline

NOW had the season returned, when the nights grow colder and longer,And the retreating sun the sign of the Scorpion enters.Birds of passage sailed through the leaden air, from the ice-bound,Desolate northern bays to the shores of tropical islands.Harvests were gathered in; and wild with the winds of SeptemberWrestled the trees of the forest, as Jacob of old with the angel.All the signs foretold a winter long and inclement.Bees, with prophetic instinct of want, had hoarded their honeyTill the hives overflowed; and the Indian hunters assertedCold would the winter be, for thick was the fur of the foxes.Such was the advent of autumn. Then followed that beautiful season,Called by the pious Acadian peasants the Summer of All-Saints!Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscapeLay as if new-created in all the freshness of childhood.Peace seemed to reign upon earth, and the restless heart of the oceanWas for a moment consoled. All sounds were in harmony blended.Voices of children at play, the crowing of cocks in the farm-yards,Whir of wings in the drowsy air, and the cooing of pigeons,All were subdued and low as the murmurs of love, and the great sunLooked with the eye of love through the golden vapors around him;While arrayed in its robes of russet and scarlet and yellow,Bright with the sheen of the dew, each glittering tree of the forestFlashed like the plane-tree the Persian adorned with mantles and jewels.

Now recommenced the reign of rest and affection and stillness.Day with its burden and heat had departed, and twilight descendingBrought back the evening star to the sky, and the herds to the homestead.Pawing the ground they came, and resting their necks on each other,And with their nostrils distended inhaling the freshness of evening.Foremost, bearing the bell, Evangeline's beautiful heifer,Proud of her snow-white hide, and the ribbon that waved from her collar,Quietly paced and slow, as if conscious of human affection.Then came the shepherd back with his bleating flocks from the seaside,Where was their favorite pasture. Behind them followed the watch-dog,Patient, full of importance, and grand in the pride of his instinct,Walking from side to side with a lordly air, and superblyWaving his bushy tail, and urging forward the stragglers;Regent of flocks was he when the shepherd slept; their protector,When from the forest at night, through the starry silence, the wolves howled.Late, with the rising moon, returned the wains from the marshes,Laden with briny hay, that filled the air with its odor.Cheerily neighed the steeds, with dew on their manes and their fetlocks,While aloft on their shoulders the wooden and ponderous saddles,Painted with brilliant dyes, and adorned with tassels of crimson,Nodded in bright array, like hollyhocks heavy with blossoms.Patiently stood the cows meanwhile, and yielded their uddersUnto the milkmaid's hand; whilst loud and in regular cadenceInto the sounding pails the foaming streamlets descended.Lowing of cattle and peals of laughter were heard in the farm-yard,Echoed back by the barns. Anon they sank into stillness;Heavily closed, with a jarring sound, the valves of the barn-doors,Rattled the wooden bars, and all for a season was silent.

In-doors, warm by the wide-mouthed fireplace, idly the farmerSat in his elbow-chair; and watched how the flames and the smoke-wreathsStruggled together like foe in a burning city. Behind him,Nodding and mocking along the wall, with gestures fantastic,Darted his own huge shadow, and vanished away into darkness.Faces, clumsily carved in oak, on the back of his arm-chairLaughed in the flickering light, and the pewter plates on the dresserCaught and reflected the flame, as shields of armies the sunshine.Fragments of song the old man sang, and carols of Christmas,Such as at home, in the olden time, his fathers before himSang in their Norman orchards and bright Burgundian vineyards.Close at her father's side was the gentle Evangeline seated,Spinning flax for the loom, that stood in the corner behind her.Silent awhile were its treadles, at rest was its diligent shuttle,While the monotonous drone of the wheel, like the drone of a bagpipe,Followed the old man's song, and united the fragments together.As in a church, when the chant of the choir at intervals ceases,Footfalls are heard in the aisles, or words of the priest at the altar,So, in each pause of the song, with measured motion the clock clicked.

Thus as they sat, there were footsteps heard, and, suddenly lifted,Sounded the wooden latch, and the door swung back on its hinges.Benedict knew by the hob-nailed shoes it was Basil the blacksmith,And by her beating heart Evangeline knew who was with him."Welcome!" the farmer exclaimed, as their footsteps paused on the threshold,"Welcome, Basil, my friend! Come, take thy place on the settleClose by the chimney-side, which is always empty without thee;Take from the shelf overhead thy pipe and the box of tobacco;Never so much thyself art thou as when through the curlingSmoke of the pipe or the forge thy friendly and jovial face gleamsRound and red as the harvest moon through the mist of the marshes."Then, with a smile of content, thus answered Basil the blacksmith,Taking with easy air the accustomed seat by the fireside:--"Benedict Bellefontaine, thou hast ever thy jest and thy ballad!Ever in cheerfullest mood art thou, when others are filled withGloomy forebodings of ill, and see only ruin before them.Happy art thou, as if every day thou hadst picked up a horseshoe."Pausing a moment, to take the pipe that Evangeline brought him,And with a coal from the embers had lighted, he slowly continued:--"Four days now are passed since the English ships at their anchorsRide in the Gaspereau's mouth, with their cannon pointed against us,What their design may be is unknown; but all are commandedOn the morrow to meet in the church, where his Majesty's mandateWill be proclaimed as law in the land. Alas! in the mean timeMany surmises of evil alarm the hearts of the people."Then made answer the farmer:--"Perhaps some friendlier purposeBrings these ships to our shores. Perhaps the harvests in EnglandBy untimely rains or untimelier heat have been blighted,And from our bursting barns they would feed their cattle and children.""Not so thinketh the folk in the village," said, warmly, the blacksmith,Shaking his head, as in doubt; then, heaving a sigh, he continued:--"Louisburg is not forgotten, nor Beau Séjour, nor Port Royal.Many already have fled to the forest, and lurk on its outskirts,Waiting with anxious hearts the dubious fate of to-morrow.Arms have been taken from us, and warlike weapons of all kinds;Nothing is left but the blacksmith's sledge and the scythe of the mower."Then with a pleasant smile made answer the jovial farmer:--"Safer are we unarmed, in the midst of our flocks and our cornfields,Safer within these peaceful dikes, besieged by the ocean,Than our fathers in forts, besieged by the enemy's cannon.Fear no evil, my friend, and to-night may no shadow of sorrowFall on this house and hearth; for this is the night of the contract.Built are the house and the barn. The merry lads of the villageStrongly have built them and well; and, breaking the glebe round about them,Filled the barn with hay, and the house with food for a twelvemonth.René Leblanc will be here anon, with his papers and inkhorn.Shall we not then be glad, and rejoice in the joy of our children?"As apart by the window she stood, with her hand in her lover's,Blushing Evangeline heard the words that her father had spoken,And, as they died on his lips, the worthy notary entered.

Words in this poem 36
inclement a.
Not clement; destitute of a mild and kind temper; void of tenderness; unmerciful; severe; harsh. [L. inclemens; pref. in- not + clemens mild: cf. F. inclément. See Clement.]
acadian a.
Of or pertaining to Acadie, or Nova Scotia.
dreamy a.
Abounding in dreams or given to dreaming; appropriate to, or like, dreams; visionary.
childhood n.
The state of being a child; the time in which persons are children; the condition or time from infancy to puberty. [AS. cildhad; cild child + -had. See Child, and hood.]
sheen v. i.
To shine; to glisten.
stillness n.
The quality or state of being still; quietness; silence; calmness; inactivity.
bleating a.
Crying as a sheep does.
seaside n.
The land bordering on, or adjacent to, the sea; the seashore.
starry a.
Abounding with stars; adorned with stars.
briny a.
Of or pertaining to brine, or to the sea; partaking of the nature of brine; salt; as, a briny taste; the briny flood. [From Brine.]
cheerily adv.
In a cheery manner.
patiently adv.
In a patient manner.
meanwhile n.
The intervening time; as, in the meantime (or mean time).
lowing n.
The calling sound made by cows and other bovine animals.
anon adv.
Straightway; at once. [OE. anoon, anon, anan, lit., in one (moment), fr. AS. on in + an one. See On and One.]
jarring a.
Shaking; disturbing; discordant. [See Jar.]
pewter n.
A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth. [OE. pewtyr, OF. peutre, peautre, piautre: cf. D. peauter, piauter, It. peltro, Sp. & Pg. peltre, LL. peutreum, pestrum. Cf. Spelter.]
dresser n.
One who dresses; one who put in order or makes ready for use; one who on clothes or ornaments.
sunshine n.
The light of the sun, or the place where it shines; the direct rays of the sun, the place where they fall, or the warmth and light which they give.
olden a.
Old; ancient; as, the olden time.
awhile adv.
For a while; for some time; for a short time. [Adj. a + while time, interval.]
latch v. t.
To smear; to anoint. [Cf. F. lécher to lick (of German origin). Cf. Lick.]
benedict a.
Having mild and salubrious qualities. [L. benedictus, p. p. of benedicere to bless. See Benison, and cf. Bennet.]
blacksmith n.
A smith who works in iron with a forge, and makes iron utensils, horseshoes, etc. [Black (in allusion to the color of the metal) + smith. Cf. Whitesmith.]
jovial a.
Of or pertaining to the god, or the planet, Jupiter. [F., fr. L. Jovialis pertaining to Jove. The planet Jupiter was thought to make those born under it joyful or jovial. See Jove.]
fireside n.
A place near the fire or hearth; home; domestic life or retirement.
hast
, 2d pers. sing. pres. of. Fave, contr. of havest.
jest n.
A deed; an action; a gest. [OE. jeste, geste, deed, action, story, tale, OF. geste, LL. gesta, orig., exploits, neut. pl. from L. gestus, p. p. of gerere to bear, carry, accomplish, perfor]
folk n.
In Anglo-Saxon times, the people of a group of townships or villages; a community; a tribe. [AS. folc; akin to D. volk, OS. & OHG. folk, G. volk, Icel. f, Sw. & Dan. folk, Lith. pulkas crowd, and perh. to E. follow.]
warmly adv.
In a warm manner; ardently.
dubious a.
Doubtful or not settled in opinion; being in doubt; wavering or fluctuating; undetermined. [L. dubius, dubiosus, fr. duo two. See Two, and cf. Doubt.]
mower n.
One who, or that which, mows; a mowing machine; as, a lawn mower.
unarmed a.
Not armed or armored; having no arms or weapons. [Pref. un- not + armed.]
twelvemonth n.
A year which consists of twelve calendar months.
inkhorn a.
Learned; pedantic; affected.
shall v. i.
To owe; to be under obligation for. [OE. shal, schal, imp. sholde, scholde, AS. scal, sceal, I am obliged, imp. scolde, sceolde, inf. sculan; akin to OS. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skolda, D. zullen,]

Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.

About this text

Part I, Section II is in the public domain. This text is taken from Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie, Project Gutenberg ebook #2039; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.

Cite as: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Part I, Section II, in Evangeline (1847), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #2039, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/longfellow-evangeline/part-i-section-ii.html, id L04221.

Form and metre

Part I, Section II is 120 lines in 4 verse paragraphs. It is unrhymed, as far as the pronouncing dictionary can tell. 71% of its stressed syllables fall where the metre puts the beat. The lines average 15.4 syllables. 76 lines end on an unstressed syllable, a feminine ending. 23% of the lines run on without a stop at the line end.

Measured by Laurel's pipeline, not copied from a handbook: how stress and metre are counted, how rhyme is lettered, how a drifted rhyme is found. Where the dictionary cannot confirm a rhyme the letter is withheld, not guessed.

Rhyme words, stanza by stanza

The word that ends each line, lettered by the rhyme it makes; a dash is a line whose rhyme the dictionary could not confirm.

  1. 1 -------------ABA--B---- longer · enters · bound · islands · september · angel · inclement · honey · asserted · foxes · season · saints · landscape · childhoodA · oceanB · blendedA · yards · pigeons · sunB · him · yellow · forest · jewels
  2. 2 A------------------------A-- stillnessA · descending · homestead · other · evening · heifer · collar · affection · seaside · dog · instinct · superbly · stragglers · protector · howled · marshes · odor · fetlocks · saddles · crimson · blossoms · udders · cadence · descended · yard · stillnessA · doors · silent
  3. 3 --A------A--------- farmer · wreaths · himA · fantastic · darkness · chair · dresser · sunshine · christmas · himA · vineyards · seated · her · shuttle · bagpipe · together · ceases · altar · clicked
  4. 4 ------------AA------------------------------------ lifted · hinges · blacksmith · him · threshold · settle · thee · tobacco · curling · gleams · marshes · blacksmith · firesideA · balladA · with · them · horseshoe · him · continued · anchors · us · commanded · mandate · time · people · purpose · england · blighted · children · blacksmith · continued · royal · outskirts · morrow · kinds · mower · farmer · cornfields · ocean · cannon · sorrow · contract · village · them · twelvemonth · inkhorn · children · lover's · spoken · entered
Scansion, line by line

Each line with its syllable count and the stresses the words themselves fix: / stressed, ˘ unstressed, · a syllable the word leaves free and the metre decides. How this is done.

LineSyl.Stress
NOW had the season returned, when the nights grow colder and longer,16···/˘˘/····/˘·/˘
And the retreating sun the sign of the Scorpion enters.15··˘/˘·····/˘˘/˘
Birds of passage sailed through the leaden air, from the ice-bound,15··/˘·˘··/˘·····
Desolate northern bays to the shores of tropical islands.15/˘˘/˘·····/˘˘/˘
Harvests were gathered in; and wild with the winds of September15/˘·/˘·······˘/˘
Wrestled the trees of the forest, as Jacob of old with the angel.17/˘····/˘·/˘····/˘
All the signs foretold a winter long and inclement.13···˘/·/˘··/˘˘
Bees, with prophetic instinct of want, had hoarded their honey15··˘/˘/˘···/˘·/˘
Till the hives overflowed; and the Indian hunters asserted16····˘/··/˘˘/˘˘/˘
Cold would the winter be, for thick was the fur of the foxes.15···/˘········/˘
Such was the advent of autumn. Then followed that beautiful season,16···/··/˘·/˘·/˘/˘
Called by the pious Acadian peasants the Summer of All-Saints!16···/˘/˘˘/˘·/˘···
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape16······/˘·/˘···/·
Lay as if new-created in all the freshness of childhood.15····˘/˘···/˘·/·
Peace seemed to reign upon earth, and the restless heart of the ocean16·········/˘···/˘
Was for a moment consoled. All sounds were in harmony blended.16···/˘˘/····/˘˘/˘
Voices of children at play, the crowing of cocks in the farm-yards,16/˘·/˘···/˘······
Whir of wings in the drowsy air, and the cooing of pigeons,15·····/˘···/˘·/˘
All were subdued and low as the murmurs of love, and the great sun16··˘/····/˘······
Looked with the eye of love through the golden vapors around him;15········/˘/˘···
While arrayed in its robes of russet and scarlet and yellow,15·˘/····/˘·/˘·/˘
Bright with the sheen of the dew, each glittering tree of the forest16········/˘˘···/˘
Flashed like the plane-tree the Persian adorned with mantles and jewels.16······/˘˘/·/˘·/˘
Now recommenced the reign of rest and affection and stillness.15·········˘/˘·/˘
Day with its burden and heat had departed, and twilight descending17···/˘···˘/˘·/·˘/˘
Brought back the evening star to the sky, and the herds to the homestead.16···/˘·········/·
Pawing the ground they came, and resting their necks on each other,15/˘·····/˘····/˘
And with their nostrils distended inhaling the freshness of evening.17···/˘˘/˘˘/˘·/˘·/˘
Foremost, bearing the bell, Evangeline's beautiful heifer,15/·/˘··˘/˘·/˘˘/˘
Proud of her snow-white hide, and the ribbon that waved from her collar,16········/˘····/˘
Quietly paced and slow, as if conscious of human affection.16/˘˘·····/˘·/˘˘/˘
Then came the shepherd back with his bleating flocks from the seaside,15···/˘···/˘···/·
Where was their favorite pasture. Behind them followed the watch-dog,15···/˘/˘···/˘···
Patient, full of importance, and grand in the pride of his instinct,16/˘··˘/˘·······/˘
Walking from side to side with a lordly air, and superbly15/˘······/˘··/˘˘
Waving his bushy tail, and urging forward the stragglers;14/˘·/˘··/˘/˘·/˘
Regent of flocks was he when the shepherd slept; their protector,15/˘······/˘··˘/˘
When from the forest at night, through the starry silence, the wolves howled.16···/˘····/˘/˘···
Late, with the rising moon, returned the wains from the marshes,15···/˘·˘/˘····/˘
Laden with briny hay, that filled the air with its odor.15/˘·/˘···˘····/˘
Cheerily neighed the steeds, with dew on their manes and their fetlocks,15/˘˘············
While aloft on their shoulders the wooden and ponderous saddles,16·˘/··/˘·/˘·/˘˘/˘
Painted with brilliant dyes, and adorned with tassels of crimson,15/˘·/˘··˘/·/˘·/˘
Nodded in bright array, like hollyhocks heavy with blossoms.15/˘··˘/·/˘·/˘·/˘
Patiently stood the cows meanwhile, and yielded their udders14/˘˘···/··/˘···
Unto the milkmaid's hand; whilst loud and in regular cadence15··········/˘˘/˘
Into the sounding pails the foaming streamlets descended.14···/˘··/˘··˘/˘
Lowing of cattle and peals of laughter were heard in the farm-yard,16/˘·/˘···/˘······
Echoed back by the barns. Anon they sank into stillness;15/˘˘····˘/····/˘
Heavily closed, with a jarring sound, the valves of the barn-doors,15/˘˘···/˘·······
Rattled the wooden bars, and all for a season was silent.15/˘·/˘·····/˘·/˘
In-doors, warm by the wide-mouthed fireplace, idly the farmer15·······/˘·/˘·/˘
Sat in his elbow-chair; and watched how the flames and the smoke-wreaths15···/···········
Struggled together like foe in a burning city. Behind him,16/˘˘/˘····/˘/˘···
Nodding and mocking along the wall, with gestures fantastic,15/˘·/˘˘/···/˘˘/˘
Darted his own huge shadow, and vanished away into darkness.16/˘···/··/˘˘/··/˘
Faces, clumsily carved in oak, on the back of his arm-chair15/˘/˘˘··········
Laughed in the flickering light, and the pewter plates on the dresser16···/˘˘···/˘···/˘
Caught and reflected the flame, as shields of armies the sunshine.15··˘/˘·····/˘·/·
Fragments of song the old man sang, and carols of Christmas,14/˘·······/˘·/˘
Such as at home, in the olden time, his fathers before him15······/˘··/˘···
Sang in their Norman orchards and bright Burgundian vineyards.15···/˘/˘··˘/˘˘/˘
Close at her father's side was the gentle Evangeline seated,16···/˘···/˘˘/˘·/˘
Spinning flax for the loom, that stood in the corner behind her.15/˘········/˘···
Silent awhile were its treadles, at rest was its diligent shuttle,16/˘˘/·······/˘˘/˘
While the monotonous drone of the wheel, like the drone of a bagpipe,16··˘/˘·········/·
Followed the old man's song, and united the fragments together.16/˘·····˘/˘·/˘˘/˘
As in a church, when the chant of the choir at intervals ceases,16·········/·/˘˘/˘
Footfalls are heard in the aisles, or words of the priest at the altar,16/·············/˘
So, in each pause of the song, with measured motion the clock clicked.15········/˘/˘···
Thus as they sat, there were footsteps heard, and, suddenly lifted,15······/···/˘˘/˘
Sounded the wooden latch, and the door swung back on its hinges.15/˘·/˘········/˘
Benedict knew by the hob-nailed shoes it was Basil the blacksmith,16/˘·········/˘·/·
And by her beating heart Evangeline knew who was with him.15···/˘·˘/˘······
"Welcome!" the farmer exclaimed, as their footsteps paused on the threshold,16/˘·/˘˘/··/····/·
"Welcome, Basil, my friend! Come, take thy place on the settle14/˘/˘········/˘
Close by the chimney-side, which is always empty without thee;15···/˘···/˘/˘···
Take from the shelf overhead thy pipe and the box of tobacco;16····/˘/······˘/·
Never so much thyself art thou as when through the curling14/˘··˘/······/˘
Smoke of the pipe or the forge thy friendly and jovial face gleams15········/˘·/˘··
Round and red as the harvest moon through the mist of the marshes."15·····/˘······/˘
Then, with a smile of content, thus answered Basil the blacksmith,15·····˘/·/˘/˘·/·
Taking with easy air the accustomed seat by the fireside:--16/˘·/˘··˘/˘···/˘·
"Benedict Bellefontaine, thou hast ever thy jest and thy ballad!16/˘·······/····/˘
Ever in cheerfullest mood art thou, when others are filled with15/˘·/˘˘····/˘···
Gloomy forebodings of ill, and see only ruin before them.15/˘˘/˘····/˘/···
Happy art thou, as if every day thou hadst picked up a horseshoe."16/˘····/˘······/·
Pausing a moment, to take the pipe that Evangeline brought him,16/˘·/˘·····˘/˘···
And with a coal from the embers had lighted, he slowly continued:--17······/˘·/˘·/˘˘/˘
"Four days now are passed since the English ships at their anchors15·····˘··/˘···/˘
Ride in the Gaspereau's mouth, with their cannon pointed against us,16·········/˘/˘···
What their design may be is unknown; but all are commanded15··˘/···˘/···˘/˘
On the morrow to meet in the church, where his Majesty's mandate15··/˘·······/˘/·
Will be proclaimed as law in the land. Alas! in the mean time15··˘/·····˘/····
Many surmises of evil alarm the hearts of the people."16/˘˘/˘·/˘˘/····/˘
Then made answer the farmer:--"Perhaps some friendlier purpose15··/˘·/˘˘/·/˘˘/˘
Brings these ships to our shores. Perhaps the harvests in England15····/˘·˘/·/˘·/˘
By untimely rains or untimelier heat have been blighted,15·˘/˘·········/˘
And from our bursting barns they would feed their cattle and children."16··/˘/˘·····/˘·/˘
"Not so thinketh the folk in the village," said, warmly, the blacksmith,16··/˘····/˘·/˘·/·
Shaking his head, as in doubt; then, heaving a sigh, he continued:--16/˘······/˘···˘/˘
"Louisburg is not forgotten, nor Beau Séjour, nor Port Royal.15····˘/˘······/˘
Many already have fled to the forest, and lurk on its outskirts,15/˘/˘····/˘····/
Waiting with anxious hearts the dubious fate of to-morrow.15/˘·/˘··/˘˘···/˘
Arms have been taken from us, and warlike weapons of all kinds;15···/˘···/·/˘···
Nothing is left but the blacksmith's sledge and the scythe of the mower."16/˘····/·······/˘
Then with a pleasant smile made answer the jovial farmer:--15···/˘··/˘·/˘˘/˘
"Safer are we unarmed, in the midst of our flocks and our cornfields,16/˘··˘/····/··///
Safer within these peaceful dikes, besieged by the ocean,15/˘···/˘·˘/˘··/˘
Than our fathers in forts, besieged by the enemy's cannon.16·/˘/˘··˘/··/˘˘/˘
Fear no evil, my friend, and to-night may no shadow of sorrow16··/˘·······/··/˘
Fall on this house and hearth; for this is the night of the contract.15·············/·
Built are the house and the barn. The merry lads of the village15········/˘···/˘
Strongly have built them and well; and, breaking the glebe round about them,16/˘······/˘······
Filled the barn with hay, and the house with food for a twelvemonth.15·˘···········/˘
René Leblanc will be here anon, with his papers and inkhorn.15·˘/···˘/··/˘·/˘
Shall we not then be glad, and rejoice in the joy of our children?"16·······˘/····//˘
As apart by the window she stood, with her hand in her lover's,16·˘/··/˘·······/˘
Blushing Evangeline heard the words that her father had spoken,16/˘˘/˘······/˘·/˘
And, as they died on his lips, the worthy notary entered.15········/˘/˘˘/˘

On this poem

SPELLING AND DEFINING. The work of spelling and defining may be carried on with the study of the text of the poem, or at the conclusion of this study. In the former case allow a week or more to pass after using a selection as a Reading lesson before studying it as a Spelling lesson, that the reading may not degenerate into a word-study. The words selected are those which should form a part of the pupil's vocabulary. The fact that the context largely determines the meaning of a word should be made clear in this study, and the particular meaning the author employs in the poem should be required. The pupil's discrimination will at first be poor, but he soon develops considerable skill and judgment. I
Notes from the edition 493

Notes from Evangeline, with Notes and Plan of Study (Project Gutenberg #15390).

  1. Stanza 1, line 1 primeval
  2. Stanza 1, line 1 incessant
  3. Stanza 1, line 1 stalworth
  4. Stanza 1, line 1 antique
  5. Stanza 1, line 1 instinct
  6. Stanza 1, line 1 untimely
  7. Stanza 1, line 1 floss
  8. Stanza 1, line 1 brazen
  9. Stanza 1, line 1 anon
  10. Stanza 1, line 1 clamorous
  11. Stanza 1, line 1 sonorous
  12. Stanza 1, line 1 chancel
  13. Stanza 1, line 1 mysterious
  14. Stanza 1, line 1 confusion
  15. Stanza 1, line 1 consoling
  16. Stanza 1, line 1 overwhelmed
  17. Stanza 1, line 1 freighted
  18. Stanza 1, line 1 voyageur
  19. Stanza 1, line 1 cumbrous
  20. Stanza 1, line 1 corridors
  21. Stanza 1, line 1 countenance
  22. Stanza 1, line 1 magician
  23. Stanza 1, line 1 garlands
  24. Stanza 1, line 1 mortals
  25. Stanza 1, line 1 entranced
  26. Stanza 1, line 1 perpetual
  27. Stanza 1, line 1 venison
  28. Stanza 1, line 1 towering
  29. Stanza 1, line 1 interlacing
  30. Stanza 1, line 1 sylvan
  31. Stanza 1, line 1 pestilence
  32. Stanza 1, line 1 flowerets
  33. Stanza 1, line 1 The poem has been compared with another version already on Gutenberg-- (vngln10). Where the two disagreed, this text was carefully re-checked to ensure the text and punctuation matched those on the scanned image.
  34. Stanza 1, line 2 Druids
  35. Stanza 1, line 2 floodgates
  36. Stanza 1, line 2 stately
  37. Stanza 1, line 2 penitent
  38. Stanza 1, line 2 superbly
  39. Stanza 1, line 2 blighted
  40. Stanza 1, line 2 wisdom
  41. Stanza 1, line 2 emblem
  42. Stanza 1, line 2 curfew
  43. Stanza 1, line 2 hamlets
  44. Stanza 1, line 2 garlands
  45. Stanza 1, line 2 mien
  46. Stanza 1, line 2 splendor
  47. Stanza 1, line 2 thither
  48. Stanza 1, line 2 haggard
  49. Stanza 1, line 2 terror
  50. Stanza 1, line 2 exile
  51. Stanza 1, line 2 loyal
  52. Stanza 1, line 2 kith
  53. Stanza 1, line 2 multitudinous
  54. Stanza 1, line 2 legibly
  55. Stanza 1, line 2 wand
  56. Stanza 1, line 2 mystic
  57. Stanza 1, line 2 renowned
  58. Stanza 1, line 2 irrepressible
  59. Stanza 1, line 2 jagged
  60. Stanza 1, line 2 companions
  61. Stanza 1, line 2 crucifix
  62. Stanza 1, line 2 mendicant
  63. Stanza 1, line 2 apostle
  64. Stanza 1, line 2 presaged
  65. Stanza 1, line 2 terrible
  66. Stanza 1, line 2 The following apparent errors in the source text were corrected: Poem Line 73 'bessings' changed to blessings. 346 'manoeuvre': the oe ligature was split. 668 'goods' changed to Gods. 692 full stop added to line end. 718 'father-confessor': hyphen added. 840 'their' changed to there. 850 'reverened' changed to reverend. 909 'spar' changed to spars. 909 'tropcis' changed to tropics. 1083 'rivre' changed to river. 1256 'reecho' changed to re-echo.
  67. Stanza 1, line 2 Line 713 has been copied and inserted from vgln10. This was missing in the book, but was referenced in the notes; the line numbering also showed a missing line between 710 and 715.
  68. Stanza 1, line 3 eld
  69. Stanza 1, line 3 reposed
  70. Stanza 1, line 3 gleamed
  71. Stanza 1, line 3 odorous
  72. Stanza 1, line 3 ponderous
  73. Stanza 1, line 3 bursting
  74. Stanza 1, line 3 supernal
  75. Stanza 1, line 3 presided
  76. Stanza 1, line 3 straightway
  77. Stanza 1, line 3 holiday
  78. Stanza 1, line 3 sacred
  79. Stanza 1, line 3 awed
  80. Stanza 1, line 3 emblazoned
  81. Stanza 1, line 3 thronged
  82. Stanza 1, line 3 caresses
  83. Stanza 1, line 3 wailed
  84. Stanza 1, line 3 asunder
  85. Stanza 1, line 3 tedious
  86. Stanza 1, line 3 kin
  87. Stanza 1, line 3 reverberant
  88. Stanza 1, line 3 oblivion
  89. Stanza 1, line 3 landscape
  90. Stanza 1, line 3 flaunted
  91. Stanza 1, line 3 triumphal
  92. Stanza 1, line 3 devious
  93. Stanza 1, line 3 gorge
  94. Stanza 1, line 3 swarthy
  95. Stanza 1, line 3 rural
  96. Stanza 1, line 3 granaries
  97. Stanza 1, line 3 balm
  98. Stanza 1, line 3 naught
  99. Stanza 1, line 3 anguish
  100. Stanza 1, line 3 No other (deliberate) changes have made to the poem. There remain a number of minor word and punctuation differences between this and vngln10.
  101. Stanza 1, line 4 peasants
  102. Stanza 1, line 4 tresses
  103. Stanza 1, line 4 meek
  104. Stanza 1, line 4 desolate
  105. Stanza 1, line 4 tropical
  106. Stanza 1, line 4 mantles
  107. Stanza 1, line 4 gestures
  108. Stanza 1, line 4 lurk
  109. Stanza 1, line 4 languished
  110. Stanza 1, line 4 corrupted
  111. Stanza 1, line 4 lingered
  112. Stanza 1, line 4 blithe
  113. Stanza 1, line 4 dissonant
  114. Stanza 1, line 4 clamorous
  115. Stanza 1, line 4 ambrosial
  116. Stanza 1, line 4 imprisoned
  117. Stanza 1, line 4 unperturbed
  118. Stanza 1, line 4 sultry
  119. Stanza 1, line 4 swoon
  120. Stanza 1, line 4 few-acred
  121. Stanza 1, line 4 mysterious
  122. Stanza 1, line 4 screen
  123. Stanza 1, line 4 mingled
  124. Stanza 1, line 4 Yule-tide
  125. Stanza 1, line 4 enraptured
  126. Stanza 1, line 4 manifold
  127. Stanza 1, line 4 emigrant
  128. Stanza 1, line 4 reverses
  129. Stanza 1, line 4 chapel
  130. Stanza 1, line 4 pillage
  131. Stanza 1, line 4 emblem
  132. Stanza 1, line 4 brackish
  133. Stanza 1, line 4 assume
  134. Stanza 1, line 4 Special characters. A number of characters used in the notes to describe pronunciation do not exist in ASCII. The following conventions have been used to represent them: [a] 'a' + Macron; ('a' with a horizontal line above). [o] 'o' + Macron; ('o' with a horizontal line above). [=e] 'e' + Macron; ('e' with a horizontal line above). [)a] 'a' with a curved line above - like horns. [)e] 'e' with a curved line above - like horns. [.a] 'a' with a single dot above End of Project Gutenberg's Evangeline, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
  135. Stanza 1, line 5 hoar
  136. Stanza 1, line 5 thatched
  137. Stanza 1, line 5 sooth
  138. Stanza 1, line 5 innocent
  139. Stanza 1, line 5 fantastic
  140. Stanza 1, line 5 outskirts
  141. Stanza 1, line 5 warier
  142. Stanza 1, line 5 oppressed
  143. Stanza 1, line 5 reigned
  144. Stanza 1, line 5 jocund
  145. Stanza 1, line 5 clangor
  146. Stanza 1, line 5 solemn
  147. Stanza 1, line 5 celestial
  148. Stanza 1, line 5 wayworn
  149. Stanza 1, line 5 mortals
  150. Stanza 1, line 5 bleak
  151. Stanza 1, line 5 oblivious
  152. Stanza 1, line 5 serenely
  153. Stanza 1, line 5 sombre
  154. Stanza 1, line 5 grim
  155. Stanza 1, line 5 trance
  156. Stanza 1, line 5 inexpressible
  157. Stanza 1, line 5 girded
  158. Stanza 1, line 5 hilarious
  159. Stanza 1, line 5 Carthusian
  160. Stanza 1, line 5 precipitate
  161. Stanza 1, line 5 compassion
  162. Stanza 1, line 5 intricate
  163. Stanza 1, line 5 vigorous
  164. Stanza 1, line 5 fain
  165. Stanza 1, line 5 margin
  166. Stanza 1, line 5 portals
  167. Stanza 1, line 6 caverns
  168. Stanza 1, line 6 tranquil
  169. Stanza 1, line 6 turret
  170. Stanza 1, line 6 variant
  171. Stanza 1, line 6 fragments
  172. Stanza 1, line 6 anxious
  173. Stanza 1, line 6 ripe
  174. Stanza 1, line 6 condemned
  175. Stanza 1, line 6 resounded
  176. Stanza 1, line 6 greensward
  177. Stanza 1, line 6 convened
  178. Stanza 1, line 6 accents
  179. Stanza 1, line 6 charity
  180. Stanza 1, line 6 foremost
  181. Stanza 1, line 6 Titan-like
  182. Stanza 1, line 6 despairing
  183. Stanza 1, line 6 trance
  184. Stanza 1, line 6 illumines
  185. Stanza 1, line 6 turbulent
  186. Stanza 1, line 6 myriads
  187. Stanza 1, line 6 vague
  188. Stanza 1, line 6 delirious
  189. Stanza 1, line 6 luxuriant
  190. Stanza 1, line 6 marvelled
  191. Stanza 1, line 6 inundate
  192. Stanza 1, line 6 ceaseless
  193. Stanza 1, line 6 mute
  194. Stanza 1, line 6 aerial
  195. Stanza 1, line 6 magnet
  196. Stanza 1, line 6 appease
  197. Stanza 1, line 6 oppressor
  198. Stanza 1, line 6 exhausted
  199. Stanza 1, line 7 disconsolate
  200. Stanza 1, line 7 vanes
  201. Stanza 1, line 7 hyssop
  202. Stanza 1, line 7 devotion
  203. Stanza 1, line 7 inclement
  204. Stanza 1, line 7 carols
  205. Stanza 1, line 7 dubious
  206. Stanza 1, line 7 unchristened
  207. Stanza 1, line 7 convinced
  208. Stanza 1, line 7 luminous
  209. Stanza 1, line 7 thronged
  210. Stanza 1, line 7 clement
  211. Stanza 1, line 7 vigils
  212. Stanza 1, line 7 emotion
  213. Stanza 1, line 7 inexhaustible
  214. Stanza 1, line 7 quivering
  215. Stanza 1, line 7 extended
  216. Stanza 1, line 7 multitude
  217. Stanza 1, line 7 confession
  218. Stanza 1, line 7 chutes
  219. Stanza 1, line 7 resplendent
  220. Stanza 1, line 7 superstition
  221. Stanza 1, line 7 plaintive
  222. Stanza 1, line 7 spacious
  223. Stanza 1, line 7 ci-devant
  224. Stanza 1, line 7 indefinable
  225. Stanza 1, line 7 vibrations
  226. Stanza 1, line 7 dissolving
  227. Stanza 1, line 7 vespers
  228. Stanza 1, line 7 suspended
  229. Stanza 1, line 7 haunts
  230. Stanza 1, line 7 scourge
  231. Stanza 1, line 7 infinite
  232. Stanza 1, line 8 prophetic
  233. Stanza 1, line 8 roe
  234. Stanza 1, line 8 distaffs
  235. Stanza 1, line 8 chaplet
  236. Stanza 1, line 8 craft
  237. Stanza 1, line 8 hoarded
  238. Stanza 1, line 8 treadles
  239. Stanza 1, line 8 scythe
  240. Stanza 1, line 8 doomed
  241. Stanza 1, line 8 congealed
  242. Stanza 1, line 8 ample
  243. Stanza 1, line 8 hospitality
  244. Stanza 1, line 8 grievous
  245. Stanza 1, line 8 profane
  246. Stanza 1, line 8 meekness
  247. Stanza 1, line 8 sacred
  248. Stanza 1, line 8 martyr
  249. Stanza 1, line 8 desert
  250. Stanza 1, line 8 pallid
  251. Stanza 1, line 8 enrich
  252. Stanza 1, line 8 emerged
  253. Stanza 1, line 8 sylvan
  254. Stanza 1, line 8 revealed
  255. Stanza 1, line 8 roaring
  256. Stanza 1, line 8 symbol
  257. Stanza 1, line 8 domains
  258. Stanza 1, line 8 measureless
  259. Stanza 1, line 8 amorphas
  260. Stanza 1, line 8 weird
  261. Stanza 1, line 8 swarded
  262. Stanza 1, line 8 fragile
  263. Stanza 1, line 8 molested
  264. Stanza 1, line 8 splendor
  265. Stanza 1, line 8 reverberations
  266. Stanza 1, line 9 glided
  267. Stanza 1, line 9 gossiping
  268. Stanza 1, line 9 missal
  269. Stanza 1, line 9 repute
  270. Stanza 1, line 9 diligent
  271. Stanza 1, line 9 besieged
  272. Stanza 1, line 9 haunt
  273. Stanza 1, line 9 tankard
  274. Stanza 1, line 9 spacious
  275. Stanza 1, line 9 betrothal
  276. Stanza 1, line 9 forfeited
  277. Stanza 1, line 9 compassion
  278. Stanza 1, line 9 gloomier
  279. Stanza 1, line 9 strength
  280. Stanza 1, line 9 dismay
  281. Stanza 1, line 9 extinguished
  282. Stanza 1, line 9 refreshments
  283. Stanza 1, line 9 lagoons
  284. Stanza 1, line 9 suspended
  285. Stanza 1, line 9 credulous
  286. Stanza 1, line 9 revel
  287. Stanza 1, line 9 limitless
  288. Stanza 1, line 9 patriarchal
  289. Stanza 1, line 9 marvel
  290. Stanza 1, line 9 blast
  291. Stanza 1, line 9 incantation
  292. Stanza 1, line 9 benignant
  293. Stanza 1, line 9 descendants
  294. Stanza 1, line 9 wending
  295. Stanza 1, line 9 sylvan
  296. Stanza 1, line 10 reflecting
  297. Stanza 1, line 10 reverend
  298. Stanza 1, line 10 generations
  299. Stanza 1, line 10 pedagogue
  300. Stanza 1, line 10 monotonous
  301. Stanza 1, line 10 contract (n.)
  302. Stanza 1, line 10 marvellous
  303. Stanza 1, line 10 dower
  304. Stanza 1, line 10 waistcoats
  305. Stanza 1, line 10 transported
  306. Stanza 1, line 10 assail
  307. Stanza 1, line 10 tenantless
  308. Stanza 1, line 10 submission
  309. Stanza 1, line 10 anguish
  310. Stanza 1, line 10 consumed
  311. Stanza 1, line 10 endurance
  312. Stanza 1, line 10 wimpling
  313. Stanza 1, line 10 moored
  314. Stanza 1, line 10 frenzied
  315. Stanza 1, line 10 cordage
  316. Stanza 1, line 10 dispensed
  317. Stanza 1, line 10 comet
  318. Stanza 1, line 10 blight
  319. Stanza 1, line 10 phantom
  320. Stanza 1, line 10 wigwam
  321. Stanza 1, line 10 luxuriant
  322. Stanza 1, line 10 hamlets
  323. Stanza 1, line 10 corridors
  324. Stanza 1, line 10 vanished
  325. Stanza 1, line 11 adopt
  326. Stanza 1, line 11 hailing
  327. Stanza 1, line 11 ethereal
  328. Stanza 1, line 11 autumnal
  329. Stanza 1, line 11 advent
  330. Stanza 1, line 11 jovial
  331. Stanza 1, line 11 glebe
  332. Stanza 1, line 11 lore
  333. Stanza 1, line 11 contention
  334. Stanza 1, line 11 mellow
  335. Stanza 1, line 11 alternately
  336. Stanza 1, line 11 wail
  337. Stanza 1, line 11 rebuke
  338. Stanza 1, line 11 haunted
  339. Stanza 1, line 11 affliction
  340. Stanza 1, line 11 dawned
  341. Stanza 1, line 11 incomplete
  342. Stanza 1, line 11 senses
  343. Stanza 1, line 11 perfected
  344. Stanza 1, line 11 luxuriant
  345. Stanza 1, line 11 travelers
  346. Stanza 1, line 11 idle
  347. Stanza 1, line 11 Bacchantes
  348. Stanza 1, line 11 arrayed
  349. Stanza 1, line 11 profusion
  350. Stanza 1, line 11 oracular
  351. Stanza 1, line 11 pinions
  352. Stanza 1, line 11 enchanted
  353. Stanza 1, line 11 mother-tongue
  354. Stanza 1, line 11 fragrance
  355. Stanza 1, line 11 illumined
  356. Stanza 1, line 11 intermingled
  357. Stanza 1, line 11 vainly
  358. Stanza 1, line 12 tradition
  359. Stanza 1, line 12 serenely
  360. Stanza 1, line 12 confession
  361. Stanza 1, line 12 expired
  362. Stanza 1, line 12 pious
  363. Stanza 1, line 12 subdued
  364. Stanza 1, line 12 content
  365. Stanza 1, line 12 inkhorn
  366. Stanza 1, line 12 demeanor
  367. Stanza 1, line 12 manoeuvre
  368. Stanza 1, line 12 tremulous
  369. Stanza 1, line 12 embers
  370. Stanza 1, line 12 imprecations
  371. Stanza 1, line 12 contrition
  372. Stanza 1, line 12 phantoms
  373. Stanza 1, line 12 procession
  374. Stanza 1, line 12 skirt (v.)
  375. Stanza 1, line 12 lingered
  376. Stanza 1, line 12 sacred
  377. Stanza 1, line 12 rendered
  378. Stanza 1, line 12 perpetual
  379. Stanza 1, line 12 extended
  380. Stanza 1, line 12 buoy
  381. Stanza 1, line 12 lamentation
  382. Stanza 1, line 12 adverse
  383. Stanza 1, line 12 congeals
  384. Stanza 1, line 12 annointed
  385. Stanza 1, line 12 implacable
  386. Stanza 1, line 12 enchantress
  387. Stanza 1, line 12 chase (n.)
  388. Stanza 1, line 12 hue
  389. Stanza 1, line 12 transfigured
  390. Stanza 1, line 12 assiduous
  391. Stanza 1, line 12 humble
  392. Stanza 1, line 13 affliction
  393. Stanza 1, line 13 belfry
  394. Stanza 1, line 13 benediction
  395. Stanza 1, line 13 populous
  396. Stanza 1, line 13 magical
  397. Stanza 1, line 13 landscape
  398. Stanza 1, line 13 arrayed
  399. Stanza 1, line 13 accustomed
  400. Stanza 1, line 13 rejoice
  401. Stanza 1, line 13 molest
  402. Stanza 1, line 13 pallid
  403. Stanza 1, line 13 serenely
  404. Stanza 1, line 13 vibrant
  405. Stanza 1, line 13 distorted
  406. Stanza 1, line 13 fervent
  407. Stanza 1, line 13 echoed
  408. Stanza 1, line 13 approached
  409. Stanza 1, line 13 aspect
  410. Stanza 1, line 13 rumor
  411. Stanza 1, line 13 glare
  412. Stanza 1, line 13 labored
  413. Stanza 1, line 13 citron
  414. Stanza 1, line 13 pendulous
  415. Stanza 1, line 13 betrays
  416. Stanza 1, line 13 derision
  417. Stanza 1, line 13 vent
  418. Stanza 1, line 13 ploughshare
  419. Stanza 1, line 13 delicious
  420. Stanza 1, line 13 scaling
  421. Stanza 1, line 13 sombre
  422. Stanza 1, line 13 submissive
  423. Stanza 1, line 13 perilous
  424. Stanza 1, line 13 abnegation
  425. Stanza 1, line 13 pallets
  426. Stanza 1, line 13 ebbing
  427. Stanza 1, line 14 endures
  428. Stanza 1, line 14 incense
  429. Stanza 1, line 14 exquisite
  430. Stanza 1, line 14 wondrous
  431. Stanza 1, line 14 adorned
  432. Stanza 1, line 14 forebodings
  433. Stanza 1, line 14 worthy
  434. Stanza 1, line 14 irascible
  435. Stanza 1, line 14 infinite
  436. Stanza 1, line 14 flitted
  437. Stanza 1, line 14 mingled
  438. Stanza 1, line 14 allegiance
  439. Stanza 1, line 14 translated
  440. Stanza 1, line 14 disconsolate
  441. Stanza 1, line 14 wayside
  442. Stanza 1, line 14 affrighted
  443. Stanza 1, line 14 hearsay
  444. Stanza 1, line 14 dirges
  445. Stanza 1, line 14 despair
  446. Stanza 1, line 14 bayou
  447. Stanza 1, line 14 illusions
  448. Stanza 1, line 14 prelude
  449. Stanza 1, line 14 misgivings
  450. Stanza 1, line 14 accordant
  451. Stanza 1, line 14 fasting
  452. Stanza 1, line 14 taciturn
  453. Stanza 1, line 14 audible
  454. Stanza 1, line 14 afflicted
  455. Stanza 1, line 14 divers
  456. Stanza 1, line 14 diffused
  457. Stanza 1, line 14 languid
  458. Stanza 1, line 14 throbbing
  459. Stanza 1, line 15 patient II
  460. Stanza 1, line 15 contentment III
  461. Stanza 1, line 15 envy IV
  462. Stanza 1, line 15 valiant V
  463. Stanza 1, line 15 surmises VI
  464. Stanza 1, line 15 mandate VII
  465. Stanza 1, line 15 notary VIII
  466. Stanza 1, line 15 triumphs IX
  467. Stanza 1, line 15 breach X
  468. Stanza 1, line 15 Abraham XI
  469. Stanza 1, line 15 noblest XII
  470. Stanza 1, line 15 merciless XIII
  471. Stanza 1, line 15 ardor XIV
  472. Stanza 1, line 15 keenly XV
  473. Stanza 1, line 15 mischances XVI
  474. Stanza 1, line 15 nethermost XVII
  475. Stanza 1, line 15 inarticulate XVIII
  476. Stanza 1, line 15 embarking XIX
  477. Stanza 1, line 15 essay (v.) XX
  478. Stanza 1, line 15 sluggish XXI
  479. Stanza 1, line 15 regions XXII
  480. Stanza 1, line 15 Eden XXIII
  481. Stanza 1, line 15 amber XXIV
  482. Stanza 1, line 15 embarrassed XXV
  483. Stanza 1, line 15 melodious XXVI
  484. Stanza 1, line 15 famine XXVII
  485. Stanza 1, line 15 anchorite XXIII
  486. Stanza 1, line 15 indefinite XXIX
  487. Stanza 1, line 15 betimes XXX
  488. Stanza 1, line 15 dawn XXXI
  489. Stanza 1, line 15 aroma XXXIII
  490. Stanza 1, line 15 consolor XXXIV
  491. Stanza 1, line 15 customs Transcriber's notes:
  492. Stanza 1, line 16 consoled
  493. Stanza 1, line 16 blended

The reader shows the same poem with its rhymes coloured and a stress row above each line, the notes beside their stanzas, and any word's definition on a tap; the analysis page takes the whole book apart. How every part of this site was made.

More by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Song of HiawathaEvangelineJudas MaccabaeusMichael Angelo: A FragmentChristus: A MysteryA Psalm of Life, and Other Poems