Tartary Three

Section Tartary Three

Tartary is the historical name of a region of indefinite extent in east Europe and Central Asia. The name brings to mind a fabulous space of legendary monarchs. In this poem, Tartary seems to be a land of dreams and happiness.

If I were Lord of Tartary, Myself and me alone, My bed should be of ivory, Of beaten gold my throne; And in my court should peacocks flaunt, And in my forests tigers haunt, And in my pools great fishes slant Their fins athwart the sun. Scan page* If I were Lord of Tartary, Trumpeters every day To every meal would summon me. And in my courtyard bray; And in the evening lamps would shine, Yellow as honey, red as wine, While harp, and flute, and mandoline, Made music sweet and gay.

If I were Lord of Tartary. I'd wear a robe of beads, White and gold, and green they'd be-

And clustered thick as seeds; peacocks flaunt peacocks show off their beauty to everyone And ere should wane the morning star, athwart the sun the fins of the fish are shining in sunlight mandoline old spelling of mandolin, a musical instrument I'd don my robe and scimitar, ere should wane very early in the morning And zebras seven should draw my car the morning star don my robe to put on clothes Through Tartary’s dark glades. scimitar a short curved sword Lord of the fruits of Tartary, glades forests 21

*For detailed instructions, see inside front cover. © Ratna Sagar for Central Academy Jodhpur Her rivers silver-pale! Lord of the hills of Tartary, Glen, thicket, wood, and dale! Her flashing stars, her scented breeze, Her trembling lakes, like foamless seas, Her bird-delighting citron trees In every purple vale! Walter de la Mare

glen a deep narrow valley thicket bushes or small trees growing closely together dale a valley vale a valley

Enjoy the Poem . A Tick the most appropriate options. 1. In the poem, the poet is talking about a. an imaginary land. c. a dream world. b. a place in Asia. d. a place he has been to. 2. The land of Tartary has a. a rich palace. c. silver rivers. b. forests full of tigers. d. ivory-filled caves. 3. As the king of Tartary, the poet would have a. an ivory bed. c. silk robes. b. a golden throne. d. a sword. . B Which adjectives are used in the poem to describe these?

1. stars 5. seas 2. breeze 6. lamps 3. lakes 7. rivers 4. beads 8. glades C. Work in groups of four. Recite the poem. Can you hear the music created by the rhythm, repeated sounds and rhymes? Identify such words/sounds and discuss in your groups. D. Complete this poem using words of your own. If I were Lord of , And in my , Myself and me alone, And in my , My bed should be , And in my , 22 Of my throne;