Good Duke, there is no need to spend this much money!” The Baroness exclaims as I proceed to but the Baroness another brooch exported from Asia.
“My dear Baroness, money is hardly a problem! No amount of money is too much for you,” I reply, hoping the Baroness is impressed by the amount of wealth I possess.
“Mmm….but surely you don’t expect me to take all of this back to London! My brother will scold me for taking advantage of his dearest friend.”
“How is buying trifles taking advantage of me? I am too quick to be outsmarted by anyone in Britain! Look how lovely that brooch looks on you! Now please be kind as to accept this brooch as a token of my affections.”
“You are too kind, my dear Duke,” the Baroness replied and gestured to the servant next to her to take the brooch away from me, I hear the Baroness mumble to me,” I heard from the ladies in London that this town has the best pearl necklaces in all of Britain.”
“Of course, my dear lady, this fair town has some of the best jewellers in the duchy. I think it would be foolish of me to send you back home without one of these famous necklaces.” I declare to her, “ Wait for me here, my good lady, and I’ll fetch one for you from the best jeweller in town!”
As I approach the jeweller’s shop, I notice an old man wobbling next to me. He wore the rags of the many beggars in this town.In a dismissive tone, I say to the beggar, “ Leave, I have nothing for you.”
The beggar’s response was so surprising that I stop in my tracks. With a laugh, I turn around and ask the old man, “ And what do YOU have to offer, old man?”
“Advice.” The old man replied.Looking back I realized that his face was worn with wisdom. A fool I was back then.
“Why would I take advice from someone like you?” I retort, as I start to turn away.
“You’re making a mistake, boy, by giving that lady your affections and your crowns and pounds.” Once again, his response startled me that I stopped to listen
The man continued “ You’ll find yourself paid back with sighs of regret!”
I scoff at him and as I walk into the store, I call out, “ Don’t expect that your prophecies are going to get any money from me!”
The man’s “prophecy” did come turn out to be true. After the Baroness left, I tried to contact her and her family, but it was a vain effort. Looking back, I feel anger at how the Baroness took advantage of me and left me a bitter man , unable to trust anyone. Had I taken the wise man’s advice, I may have been a more happier and a better person.
Hello,
I am practicing personal responses to text, the poem I'm responding is called "When I was one-and twenty" by A.E.Housen. The question I must discuss is : " How does the text suggest that are choices affect the person we become?"
I know some of the tutors here are retired English teachers so I'd really appreciate the feedback :-D
Thank you!!
4 answers
If this violates the site's policy in any way, please give me a warning and delete it :O
First, the poet is A. E. Houseman. Get his name right. The poem is untitled and known more formally as XIII from A SHROPSHIRE LAD (1896). If your assignment was to create a story based on the poem's theme, you did so. I'm not sure what your "response" was to be. You need to clean up your language. Just for example, "The man's 'prophecy' did come turn out to be true." ...did turn out to be true... or did come to be true...NOT come turn out. Look for other redundancies or awkward phrasing. Also make sure you use one tense throughout. "The man continued...(past)" "I scoff at him...(present)"
thanks
1 answer