The vagabond

The Vagabond

·    lave - refers to a flowing water body (river)

jolly - happy

by way – a minor road or path

nigh - near

blow – a stroke of misfortune.

afield – in the field

linger – loiter

frosty – very cold

haven – a place of safety or refugee

1.What does vagabond ask for in the first stanza of the poem?

The vagabond asks for the sky above, a bed in the bush, bread for food, and river water to drink.

2.Why does he want his bed in the bush?

So that he can see the stars.

3.Name three things he can do without.

The poet does not want wealth, love or hope.

4.What is the vagabond’s only interest in life?

Unlimited travel.

5.What does the vagabond not wish for?

 Wealth or love.

6.What is the only thing that he needs?

Freedom.

7.Choose the lines in the poem that shows us that the vagabond wants to completely avoid all human associations.

‘Nor a friend to know me, all I seek, the heaven above and the road below me’.

What does autumn signify?

Old age.

9.What kind of imagery does the vagabond evoke when he talks of his ideal life?

He evokes images of clear skies, starry nights, dipping bread in the river, a long lengthy unending road, autumn leaves falling, vast open fields covered with leaves in autumn and snow in winter, fireside in some lonesome hut.

10.Why do you think the poet repeats the lines, “All I seek, the heaven above/And the road below me’.

Here, the poet or the vagabond expresses his

earnest desire to lead a carefree life, untroubled and a happy – go –lucky life. He wants no material comforts. He only wants to live out in the open, in the company of nature.

11. What does the poet want from life?

The poet wants a life which is carefree and wandering. He wants to sleep on the grass and watch the open sky. He wants to eat only bread and drink water from the river.

12. What does the poet say about autumn and winter?

He speaks of harsh conditions in autumn and winter but says that it will not deter him in his yearning to be on the road.

13.Choose the correct word from the bracket and complete the following sentences.

near, wanderer, byway

1. He spent a few years as a _________ before settling in a city and getting a job in a factory.

2. Going to Cairo, we came __________ killing a steamboat which paid no attention to our whistle and then tried to cross our bows.

3. We took the __________ to avoid heavy traffic.