Sympathy
Poem :
I lay in sorrow, deep distressed;
My grief a proud man heard;
His looks were cold, he gave me gold,
But not a kindly word.
My sorrow passed – I paid him back
The gold he gave to me;
Then stood erect and spoke my thanks,
And blessed his charity.
I lay in want, and grief, and pain;
A poor man passed my way ;
He bound my head, he gave me bread,
He watched me night and day.
How shall I pay him back again
For all he did to me ?
Oh, gold is great, but greater far
Is heavenly sympathy. – Charles Mackay
New Words / Phrases and their Use
1. distressed (in great sorrow) – I was much distressed to hear the sad news.
2. grief (great sorrow) – The wicked son caused his parents a lot of grief.
3. cold (not kind or friendly) – He looked at her with cold eyes.
4. erect (straight) – Stand with your arms by your side and your head erect.
5. charity (help for those in need) – Charity begins at home.
6. want (poverty) – It was shocking to see so many families living in want.
7. far (very much) – The patient is feeling far better now.
Comprehension and Appreciation of the Poem
Answer each question briefly:
1. How did the proud man help the poet?
3. What according to the poet is greater than gold?
4. When could the poet stand erect and why?
Vocabulary Enrichment
Find the odd word out in each set:
1. feather, beak, egg, wing, tail.
2. sorrow, grief, distress, pain, pride.
3. weather, hot, cold, warm, sunshiny.
4. rich, poor, kind, wealthy, well-do-do.
Grammar in Use
• Rewrite the following passage in the Present form:
Once the poet was in great trouble. A rich man helped him with money.
The poet later paid the man back his money. Another time, the poet was
again in trouble. A poor man helped him. He showed sympathy towards
the poet. The poet did not know how he could repay the man for his
kindness.
Once the poet is in great trouble.
