I Remember, I Remember By Thomas Hood

Thomas Hood (1799-1845) was a British poet and a writer of Humorous prose. He wrote articles for various newspapers and magazines but later started a magazine in his own name to which he was the sole contributor. Hood is remembered for his writings but he was also a talented engraver and illustrated several of his own works.

I remember, I remember,
The house where i was born,
The little window where the sun
Came peeping in at morn;
He never came a wink too soon,
Nor brought too long a day,
But now, I often wish the night
Had borne my breath away!

I remember, I remember,
The roses, red and white,
The violets, and the lily-cups,
Those flowers made of light!
The lilacs where the robin built,
And where my brother set
The laburnum on his birthday-
The tree is living yet!

I remember, I remember,
Where I was used to swing.
And thought the air must rush as fresh
To swallows on the wing;
My spirit flew in feathers then,
That is so heavy now,
And summer pools could hardly cool
The fever on my brow!

I remember, I remember,
The fir trees dark and high;
I used to think their slender tops
Were close against the sky:
It was a childish ignorance,
But now 'tis little joy
To know that I'm farther off from heaven
Than when I was a boy.

−Thomas Hood

Match the columns.

1. The sun came to the window	a. had many flowers.
2. The child often wished that the	b. reflects on his childhood.
3. The garden around the house	c. sun would be a little late.
4. The laburnum tree was planted	d. every morning, on time.
5. The poet	e. to mark the child's brother's birthday.

2.
Nor brought too long a day.
1. What did not bring too long a day?
2. Why was the day never too long for the poet?
3. Do you think this line indicates that the poet possibly finds his days long now? Why?
3.
It was a childish ignorance.
1. What does 'it' refer to?
2. Why does the poet refer to it as 'childish'?
3. Is the poet still as ignorant as he was as a child?
4.
To know that I'm farther off from heaven.
1. Why did the poet feel closer to heaven earlier?
2. Why does the poet feel farther off from heaven now?
3. How does the knowledge of being farther away affect the poem?
5.
What does the poet reflect upon in this poem?
6.
What does the poet remember about the house where he was born?

11 more answer(s) available.

Gem's English Reader 8

Ratna Sagar

Chapters

I Remember, I Remember

Thomas Hood

Available Answers