McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson XXXIV · Part 4: Lessons XXV-XXXVI: Orators and soldiers
40. The Soldier's Rest (Sir Walter Scott)
Goal: Your student reads a lullaby-like song from The Lady of the Lake and explains how sound creates its mood.
You'll need
- The book, or the scan beside this guide
- A notebook and pen
- A dictionary
What's in the book
An author note on Scott, then the song "Soldier, rest!" from The Lady of the Lake, with notes on pibroch and reveille.
The lesson, step by step
Words and meanings
The book's notes explain two words. Pibroch (pronounced pi'brok) is a wild, irregular kind of music of the Scottish Highlands, played on the bagpipe, especially to rouse a martial spirit before battle. Reveille (pronounced re-val'ye) is a call sounded at daybreak to wake soldiers, usually on the drum. Find both words in the song.
About the author
The book says Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), Scottish poet and novelist, was born in Edinburgh, became a lawyer in 1797 and turned to literature. His works include The Lay of the Last Minstrel, Marmion, The Lady of the Lake and Waverley, his first novel. When his publisher failed in 1826 he worked to pay the heavy debts, which hastened his death.
Read it aloud
The song begins "Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er." Your student reads it softly, almost singing, as a lullaby.
Talk about it
SayWho is being sung to, and what is he promised?
SayList the sounds of war that will not disturb him. Why name them at all?
SayThe last stanza turns to a huntsman. How is it different from the soldier's stanzas?
SayHow should a lullaby be read aloud?
Tell it back
Your student explains, stanza by stanza, what the song promises.
Copywork and memory
Copy the first stanza from the book and learn it by heart.
Write (optional)
Write a short lullaby (four to eight lines) for someone tired after hard work.