McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson L · Part 6: Lessons XLIX-LX: Sieges, patriots and pilgrims

56. Marco Bozzaris (Fitz-Greene Halleck)

Goal: Your student reads a stirring narrative poem with force and tells the story of Bozzaris's last battle.

⏱ About 40 minutes · 7 steps

Open it at the Internet Archive ↗

You'll need

  • The book, or the scan beside this guide
  • A notebook and pen
  • A dictionary

What's in the book

Halleck's poem about the Greek patriot Marco Bozzaris, who led a night attack on the Turkish camp and fell in the hour of victory. An author note comes first and notes on Bozzaris, Plataea and the Moslems follow.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Words and meanings

    Read the book's notes: Marco Bozzaris (about 1790-1823) was a famous Greek patriot of the Suliote people, bitter enemies of the Turks, who died in a night attack near Carpenisi; the poem has been translated into modern Greek. Plataea was the scene of a great Greek victory over the Persians in 479 B.C.

    Before reading, find these words in the selection and look up any your student does not know: suppliance, Suliote, sires.

  2. About the author

    The book says Fitz-Greene Halleck (1790-1867) was born in Guilford, Connecticut, and for many years worked as a bookkeeper and assistant to John Jacob Astor in New York. Most of his poems were written before he was forty, several with his friend Joseph Rodman Drake. His verse is carefully finished and musical, and "Marco Bozzaris" is his best-known poem.

  3. Read it aloud

    Read the opening together:

    At midnight, in his guarded tent,

    The Turk was dreaming of the hour

    When Greece, her knee in suppliance bent,

    Should tremble at his power:

    Your student reads the whole poem, building to the battle cry:

    Strike — till the last armed foe expires;

    Strike — for your altars and your fires;

    Strike — for the green graves of your sires;

  4. Talk about it

    SayWhat is the Turk dreaming of at the start? How is the dream broken?

    SayWhy does Bozzaris tell his men to strike "for the green graves of your sires"?

    SayRead: "They conquered — but Bozzaris fell," How should that line be read aloud?

    SayThe last part of the poem speaks of death and fame. Is Bozzaris's death a defeat or a victory?

  5. Tell it back

    Your student tells the story of the night attack in their own words.

  6. Copywork and memory

    Copy and learn the three "Strike" lines.

  7. Write (optional)

    Write a paragraph about a person who gave their life for others.

Afterwards

The elocution section uses these "Strike" lines as an example of emphasis. Recite them with that in mind.

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