CLASS 10 BLISS
Lesson 6: Sea Fever by John Masefield
The author and the text:
John Edward Masefield (1878-1967) was an English poet, writer, and Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1930 till his death. He is also remembered as the author of the children’s novels The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights.
The poem speaks of the excitement the poet feels at the anticipation of a sea-voyage. The passionate description of the seascape reveals the eternal desire of the human soul to seek the company of nature.
Read the following poem:
I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.
I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.
Word Nest
- steer: to control the direction of movement
- spume: foam
- whetted: sharpened
- yarn: tale
- fellow-rover: accompanying sailor
- trick: journey
Comprehension Exercises
1. Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
- (a) The poet asks for a sail the colour of which would be…
(iv) white - (b) While going down to the sea, the poet wants to hear the crying of…
(i) seagulls - (c) The wind on the sea is like a whetted…
(iii) knife
2. State whether the following statements are True or False. Provide sentences/phrases/words in support of your answer:
- (a) To steer the ship the poet needs the moon. False
Supporting statement: `And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by` - (b) The call of the running tide is wild and clear. True
Supporting statement: `Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied` - (c) The poet is going out to the sea for the first time. False
Supporting statement: `I must go down to the seas again` (The word “again” indicates a repeated action).
3. Answer the following questions:
- (a) During what time of the day does the poet wish to go down to the seas?
The poet wishes to go down to the seas at the time of a grey dawn breaking. - (b) What kind of day does the poet prefer for sailing?
The poet prefers a windy day with the white clouds flying. - (c) What does the poet prefer to hear from a fellow rover?
The poet prefers to hear a merry yarn (a cheerful tale) from a fellow rover.
Grammar in Use
4. Do as directed:
- (a) What a shocking sight! (change into an assertive sentence)
It is a very shocking sight. - (b) I am sure of his success. (change into a complex sentence)
I am sure that he will succeed. - (c) Snigdha is not only wise but also brave. (change into a simple sentence)
Snigdha is wise and brave.
Writing Activities
5. Write a summary of the following passage (within 100 words):
Egyptian kings are called Pharaohs. Tutankhamun was an Egyptian king who ruled between 1332-1323 BC. Tutankhamun was very young when he became the king. He was only ten years old when he ascended the throne. He was the son of Akhenaten who was also a Pharaoh. As the king, Tutankhamun undertook many building projects. These building projects were centered around Thebes and Karnak. Tutankhamun built many temples and monuments. At that time many temples were in ruins. Tutankhamun ordered them to be rebuilt. Tutankhamun had various physical disabilities. He suffered from ill health for a long period in his life. Tutankhamun required the support of a cane to walk because of his physical disabilities.
In ancient Egypt, the body of a Pharaoh was preserved after his death. This preserved body was known as the mummy. The preserved body of Tutankhamun was discovered by Howard Carter, an Englishman. He discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. The tomb was nearly intact when it was discovered. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb attracted wide interest all over the world. The discovery sparked an interest in ancient Egypt.
Sample Answer:
Tutankhamun: The Boy King
Tutankhamun, an Egyptian Pharaoh, became king at just ten years old (1332-1323 BC). Despite physical disabilities, he ordered the rebuilding of many temples around Thebes and Karnak. After his death, his body was mummified and buried. In 1922, Howard Carter discovered his nearly intact tomb. This discovery generated immense global interest in ancient Egyptian history.
6. Write a newspaper report (within 100 words) on the incident of burglary in a flat in Kolkata using the following points:
Hints: date and place — time — occupants of the house — number of robbers — list of articles stolen — police investigation
Sample Answer:
Daring Flat Burglary in Bhawanipore
Kolkata, Oct 24: A daring burglary took place in a flat at Bhawanipore yesterday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3 PM when the occupants, the Sen family, were away at work. According to neighbours, three unidentified robbers broke into the house. They took jewellery worth Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 50,000 in cash. The theft was discovered when the family returned home in the evening. Bhawanipore police have started an investigation and are checking CCTV footage from the area.