Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow:
Will no one tell me what she sings?
Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow
For old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago:
Paraphrase: The poet can’t guess the subject matter of her song. He asks if any one can tell him what the theme of her songs is. Then, he himself makes a guess. Perhaps her sad songs are related to some old, unhappy events that took place in the distant past. It is possible that her song is related to the battles that were fought long ago.
(a) Does the poet know anything about the subject matter of the reaper’s song?
(b) What is the nature of her song?
(c) What does the poet guess about the theme of the reaper’s song?
(a) The poet doesn’t understand the subject matter of the reaper’s song. Perhaps she is singing in a different dialect.
(b) Her song is sad but melodious.
(c) Perhaps the reaper is singing about old and unhappy things of the past. Her song may be related to some battles that were fought long ago.