Another poetry suggestion thread...

[Jugglin'5]

I need to come up with two poems for memorization in my co-op for our Medieval/Ren/Ref. year. Last year we did Ancients and we memorized Ozymandias and the Destruction of Sennacherib. I am having a really hard time choosing something of the appropriate length and subject/time period this year! All ages will be reciting it at the same time, which makes it more difficult. It can't be too easy or silly for the high schoolers, but it also can't totally and completely go over the fifth graders heads. Any ideas?

[Jugglin'5]

bump

[Janie]

For Medieval history, I have the kids memorize King Alfred's Farewell to his son (pasted below). It's not long.

Also, St. Crispin's Day speech by Henry V (pasted below).

And, A Mighty Fortress (Luther).

There's Robin Hood (Keats), King Arthur (http://www.blackcatpoems.com/k/king_arthur_poems.html) poems, The Battle of Hastings (http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/14023-Marriott-Edgar-The-Battle-Of-Hastings) (Edgar) (on YouTube here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pDPSh8U0Gc&feature=related)), and The Magna Charta (http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/magna-carta/) (Edgar)

Hope these help!

King Alfred’s Farewell
I pray thee, my dear child, to be a father to thy people.
Be the children's father and the widow's friend.
Comfort the poor, protect and shelter the weak,
and, with all thy might, right that which is wrong.
And, my son, govern thyself by law.
Then shall the Lord love thee,
and God himself shall be thy reward.
Call thou upon him to advise thee in all thy need,
and he shall help thee to compass all thy desires.
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St. Crispen's Day speech
William Shakespeare

If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

__________________________________________

[Jugglin'5]

These are some great suggestions, Janie! Thanks!