Odisha State Board CHSE Odisha Class 12 Invitation to English 1 Solutions Poem 2 The Ballad of Father Gilligan Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
CHSE Odisha 12th Class English Solutions Poem 2 The Ballad of Father Gilligan
CHSE Odisha Class 12 English The Ballad of Father Gilligan Text Book Questions and Answers
Think it out
Question 1.
Why was Father Gilligan ‘weary’? Was he only tired physically or also exhausted mentally? Justify your answer with examples from the poem?
Answer:
Father Gilligan was ‘weary’ of going to the bedside of the sick and dying among his parishioners and offering them spiritual comfort round the clock. He was only physically tired.
Question 2.
Why did he seek forgiveness from God? What type of man does this prove him to be? (due: his two types of devotion)
Answer:
He sought forgiveness from God for stating that he enjoyed no rest, joy, or peace for attending to the sick who ‘die and die’. He had spoken these words out of physical exhaustion, not because he did not want to work. His spirit was willing to work, but his flesh was weak. This proves him to be a most dutiful and religious man.
Question 3.
How was the night: peaceful and quiet or turbulent and restless? Bring out expressions from the poem to support your answer, (clue: peep, slowly …)
Answer:
The night was peaceful and quiet. The expressions such as ‘peep’, ‘slowly’, ‘shade’, ‘whisper’ and ‘sparrow-chirp’ support our answer.
Question 4.
Why has the night been described so? (clue: the contrast between Father Gilligan when awake and when asleep)
Answer:
The night has been described so to bring home the contrast between Father Gilligan when awake and when asleep. In other words, being emotionally and physically worn out, the priest needed deep slumber at night.
Question 5.
What was the reaction of Father Gilligan when he woke up from his deep sleep? State why he felt so?
Answer:
When he woke up from his sleep, Father Gilligan felt terribly sad, because the sick man he had to attend would be no more.
Question 6.
Bring out the meaning of the expression: “He rode now as he never rode”?
Answer:
The expression ‘He rode now as he never rode’ means Peter Gilligan’s fastest ride ever.
Question 7.
Find the expressions that show Father Gilligan’s concern for the people under his care, (clue: at least four expressions).
Answer:
The expressions that show Father Gilligan’s concern for the people under his care are “And rode with little care”, “He rode now as he never rode”, “And is the poor man dead ? he cried” and “In grief swayed to and fro.”
Question 8.
Why did the sick man’s wife say ‘Father! you come again!’?
Answer:
The sickman’s wife said, “Father ! you come again !” because she had seen him come to her husband, who died soon after he (Gilligan) left the house.
Question 9.
Who came to the sick man before his death? Why?
Answer:
One of God’s great angels came to the sick man before his death. He had come in the guise of Peter Gilligan.
Question 10.
What made Father Gilligan kneel and pray?
Answer:
That God had helped him when he needed rest most made Father Gilligan kneel and pray.
Question 11.
What were his words of gratitude to God?
Answer:
His words of gratitude to God were that He who took care of all things in the vast universe never forgot to relieve a poor priest like him of his dire exhaustion.
Question 12.
There is an implicit comparison between heavenly creatures and bodies (angels, planets etc.), and their tireless movement with an insignificant person (In. 43) on earth and his inaction (sleep, not being able to take care of people in time). Discuss this comparison?
Answer:
This comparison speaks volumes for God’s goodness to all. He maintained a great balance in His creation. The help He bestowed on Peter Gilligan is a case in point.
Question 13.
What qualities of Father Gilligan do you admire?
Answer:
We admire Father Gilligan’s keen sense of duty, deep concern for the sick and unflinching devotion to God.
Question 14.
Note each stanza has four lines. In stanza 1, ‘day’ in the first line rhymes with ‘lay’ of the fourth line making the rhyme scheme – abed. Find out whether all the stanzas have the same rhyme scheme?
Answer:
All the stanzas have the same rhynie scheme.
CHSE Odisha Class 12 English The Ballad of Father Gilligan Important Questions and Answers
I. Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) with Answers
Question 1.
The poet of the poem “The Ballad of Father Gihigan” is _____________?
(A) T. Eliot
(B) W.B. Yeats
(C) William Wordsworth
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(B) W.B. Yeats
Question 2.
W.B.Years was born In __________?
(A) 1865
(B) 1869
(C) 1870
(D) 1866
Answer:
(A) 1865
Question 3.
The poem has a ____________?
(A) lyrical form
(B) epic form
(C) ballad form
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(C) ballad form
Question 4.
The poem talks about ______________?
(A) The presence of God everywhere and his love for all
(B) The world of beauty and romance
(C) The presence of human suffering
(D) None of the above
Answer:
(A) The presence of God everywhere and his love for all
Question 5.
The poem illustrates ______________?
(A) God’s everlasting benevolence
(B) God’s punishment for the wrongdoing
(C) God’s compassion
(D) Both (A) and (C)
Answer:
(D) Both (A) and (C)
Question 6.
Father Gilligan was weary throughout because ____________?
(A) he was old
(B) he was overburdened by his religious duties
(C) his poor folks were dying in large number
(D) All the above
Answer:
(D) All the above
Question 7.
In the poem “The Ballad of Father Gilligan” ‘under the green sods’ means ____________?
(A) a piece of earth with grass and sods growing in it
(B) the grave of the parishioners who had dead due to the epidemic
(C) church area
(D) none of the above
Answer:
(B) the grave of the parishioners who had dead due to the epidemic
Question 8.
In the poem “The Ballad of Father Gilligan” ‘flock’ refers to ___________?
(A) a church congregation guided by a priest, who is Father Gilligan
(B) a group of animals
(C) sheep
(D) All the above
Answer:
(A) a church congregation guided by a priest, who is Father Gilligan
Question 9.
‘My body spake not I’ means ____________?
(A) he had not grumbled from the heart
(B) his body was extremely tired, so he grumbled
(C) he has become old, so he told like this
(D) All the above
Answer:
(D) All the above
Question 10.
The poor man sent for Father Gilligan because _____________?
(A) he could receive the last sacrament before dying so that his soul would be graced and he would go to heaven
(B) he wanted Father should visit him
(C) he wanted to see father
(D) All the above
Answer:
(A) he could receive the last sacrament before dying so that his soul would be graced and he would go to heaven
Question 11.
The Gilligan’s parish were _____________?
(A) toiling in the field
(B) suffering from an epidemic
(C) nodding thier chains
(D) None of these
Answer:
(B) suffering from an epidemic
Question 12.
The word ‘flock’ in the context of the poem means _____________?
(A) flock of sheep
(B) sparrows
(C) people in the parish
(D) None of these
Answer:
(C) people in the parish
Question 13.
The expression ‘green sods’ refers to ____________?
(A) graves covered over by green grass
(B) the stars in the sky
(C) the people in the parish
(D) None of these
Answer:
(A) graves covered over by green grass
Question 14.
What is referred to as the ‘moth-hour of eve’?
(A) dawn
(B) noon
(C) evening
(D) None of these
Answer:
(C) evening
Question 15.
Father Gilligan did not go to lady’s house because ______________?
(A) she did not play
(B) Father Gilligan was hurry
(C) he was unhappy
(D) he was tired and worry
Answer:
(D) he was tired and worry
Question 16.
People were dying because of ____________?
(A) epidemic
(B) war
(C) civil war
(D) accident
Answer:
(A) epidemic
Question 17.
Mothisa/an ___________?
(A) animal
(B) insect
(C) disease
(D) None of these
Answer:
(B) insect
Question 18.
Grieve means ____________?
(A) brief
(B) give
(C) feel intense sorrow
(D) Ail of these
Answer:
(C) feel intense sorrow
Question 19.
Why do you think father was nodding on the chair in evening hour?
(A) for sleeping
(B) to pray
(C) he was tired in the evening
(D) All of these
Answer:
(C) he was tired in the evening
Question 20.
When you were gone he turned and died as merry as a _____________?
(A) angel
(B) priest
(C) bird
(D) feathers
Answer:
(C) bird
Question 21.
Find a word from the extract which means mourn ___________?
(A) sorrow
(B) poor
(C) grieve
(D) None of these
Answer:
(C) grieve
Question 22.
What isa ballad?
(A) a narrative poem
(B) a subjective poem
(C) a descriptive poem
(D) a short poem
Answer:
(A) a narrative poem
Question 23.
Why was William Butler Yeats awarded a nobel prize in 1923?
(A) for literature
(B) for draina
(C) for mathematics
(D) for science
Answer:
(A) for literature
Question 24.
Why was the old priest weary day and night?
(A) his services were required more frequently lately
(B) he had a lot of work to do everyday
(C) his parishioners were sick and needed his assistance
(D) he was required to pray day and night
Answer:
(A) his services were required more frequently lately
Question 25.
Who were father Gilligan’s flock?
(A) the sickpeople
(B) the dead
(C) his parishioners
(D) the church attendants
Answer:
(C) his parishioners
Question 26.
How does the father react when another poor man sent for him?
(A) he denied to go
(B) he scolded the messenger
(C) he began to grieve
(D) he started at once
Answer:
(C) he began to grieve
Question 27.
Why did he fall asleep during his prayer?
(A) he did not want to attend the dying man
(B) his body was very tired and mind distressed
(C) he wanted to have some rest
(D) he was sick
Answer:
(B) his body was very tired and mind distressed
Question 28.
When did the father wake up?
(A) At mid-night
(B) At dawn
(C) In the morning
(D) In the afternoon
Answer:
(B) At dawn
Question 29.
The moths appear on two occasions.What are they?
(A) Dusk and dawn
(B) Morniñg and evening
(C) Evening and afternoon
(D) Night and evening
Answer:
(A) Dusk and dawn
Question 30.
What shows that the father was shocked when he woke up?
(A) He stood upright
(B) He heard the sparrows chirp
(C) He got up with a shock
(D) He started to run
Answer:
(A) He stood upright
Question 31.
Why was the father shocked?
(A) He saw the moths again
(B) He thought that the man had died while he slept
(C) He realised that he had not finished his prayer
(D) He realised that he couldn’t attend the sick man
Answer:
(B) He thought that the man had died while he slept
Question 32.
Whom did father Gilligan wake up from sleep?
(A) His parishioner
(B) The sick man
(C) His horse
(D) His attendant
Answer:
(C) His horse
Question 33.
Why did father Gilligan ride with less care?
(A) He didn’t know how to ride a horse
(B) He was in a hurry
(C) His horse was very reliable
(D) He was worried about the man
Answer:
(D) He was worried about the man
Question 34.
What does “He rode as he never rode, by the rocky lane and fen” convey?
(A) Father Gilligan’s concern for his parishioners
(B) Father Gilligan’s reckless riding
(C) Father Gilligan’s carefreeness
(D) Father Gilligan had lost interest in living
Answer:
(A) Father Gilligan’s concern for his parishioners
Question 35.
Who opened the door?
(A) The sick man
(B) The father
(C) An old man
(D) The sick mans wife
Answer:
(D) The sick mans wife
Question 36.
Why was the sick man’s wife surprised to see the father?
(A) She didn’t expect him to come so early
(B) The poor man had already died
(C) She had seen the father performing the death rituals
(D) The father looked weary
Answer:
(C) She had seen the father performing the death rituals
Question 37.
What did the father ask to the sick man’s wife?
(A) Was the man dead
(B) Was the man doing well
(C) Was the man recovering
(D) Was the man stîli alive
Answer:
(A) Was the man dead
Question 38.
The sièk man’s wife said that her husband has died ____________?
(A) half an hour ago
(B) the previous night
(C) few minutes ago
(D) an hour ago
Answer:
(D) an hour ago
Question 39.
Why did the old priest sway in grief?
(A) He couldn’t reach earlier
(B) He couldn’t perform his religious duty
(C) He couldn’t save the man
(D) He couldn’t see the dead man
Answer:
(B) He couldn’t perform his religious duty
Question 40.
What did the poor man’s wife say to the priest?
(A) The man was in p4in at the time of his death
(B) The man died happily after the father had gone
(C) The man wanted to see the father in his last moments
(D) The man was happy when be died_____
Answer:
(B) The man died happily after the father had gone
II. Short Type Questions with Answers
Question 1.
Why was Father Gilligan ‘weary’? Was he only tired physically or also exhausted mentally? Justify your answer with examples from the poem?
Answer:
Father Gilligan was ‘weary’ of going to the bedside of the sick and dying among his parishioners and offering them spiritual comfort round the clock. He was only physically tired.
Question 2.
Why did he seek forgiveness from God ? What type of man does this prove him to be?
Answer:
He sought forgiveness from God for stating that he enjoyed no rest, nor joy, nor peace for attending the sick who ‘die and die’. He had spoken out these words out of physical exhaustion, not because he did not want to work. His spirit was willing to work, but his flesh was weak. This proves him to be a most dutiful and religious man.
Question 3.
Why has the night been described so?
Answer:
The night has been described so to bring home the contrast between Father Gilligan when awake and when asleep. In other words, being emotionally and physically worn out, the priest needed deep slumber at night.
Question 4.
Why was Father Gilligan weary?
Answer:
Peter Gilligan was a priest who was called Father. He had to perform the religious rites of the church. He was weary because half of his parishioners were either in their sick bed or in their graves. As a priest he had to attend his parishioners.
Question 5.
Why did Peter Gilligan beg God’s forgiveness?
Answer:
The priest begged God’s forgiveness for he had said that he was deprived of rest, joy and peace for his constant presence near his flocks who were already dead. He justifies his errant words by saying that his spirit was willing to work, but his flesh was weak.
Question 6.
Why did the sick man’s wife say ‘Father ! you come again !’?
Answer:
The sickman’s wife said, “Father ! you come again !” because she had seen him come to her husband, who died soon after he (Gilligan) left the house.
Question 7.
Who came to the sick man before his death? Why?
Answer:
One of God’s great angels came to the sick man before his death. He had come in the guise of Peter Gilligan.
Question 8.
What made Father Gilligan kneel and pray?
Answer:
That God had helped him when he needed rest most made Father Gilligan kneel and pray.
Question 9.
What were his words of gratitude to God?
Answer:
His words of gratitude to God were that He who took care of all things in the vast universe never forgot to relieve a poor priest like him of his dire exhaustion.
Question 10.
What qualities of Father Gilligan do you admire?
Answer:
We admire Father Gilligan’s keen sense of duty, deep concern for the sick and unflinching devotion to God.
Question 11.
Why did Father Gilligan sway to and fro?
Answer:
Father came to know from the sick man’s wife that the man passed away at night. At this Father Gilligan was in deep grief and swayed to and fro.
Question 12.
Why did the priest ride with little care?
Answer:
The priest was respondent for neglecting his duty to offer final communion to the sick man. So he rode recklessly to the sick man’s house without caring the hurdles on the way.
Question 13.
How did Father Gilligan react when he woke up from his deep sleep?
Answer:
Father Gilligan woke up from his deep sleep in the moth hour. He was horrified by the fact that he failed to perform his priestly duties to the sick man.
Detailed Summaries and Glossary
Stanza – (1-4)
The old ……………………………………………………… to peep.
Peter Gilligan, the old priest, was tired of attending to the sick men of his parish night and day. One evening, while he was resting on a chair, a poor man sent for him. He began to whimper against overwork. Being old, he was unable to keep pace with the present work of praying for the growing number of sick persons in his parish. But in the next moment, he repented for the complaint and asked for God’s forgiveness. While praying on the chair, he fell asleep. Evening came. Stars in multitude were visible in the sky.
ସାରମର୍ମ :
ପିଟର୍ ଗିଲିଗେନ୍ ଜଣେ ବୃଦ୍ଧ ଏବଂ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟପରାୟଣ ପାଦ୍ରୀ ଥିଲେ । ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ଗୀର୍ଜା ଅଧୀନସ୍ଥ ଅଞ୍ଚଳର ରୋଗୀମାନଙ୍କ ସେବା କରି କ୍ଳାନ୍ତ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଥିଲେ । ଦିନେ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାରେ ସେ ଚୌକି ଉପରେ ବସି ବିଶ୍ରାମ କରୁଥିବାବେଳେ ଅନ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ଦରିଦ୍ର ଲୋକର ଗୃହରୁ ଡାକରା ଆସିଲା । ସେ ଅଧ୍ବକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟଭାର ହେତୁ ବିରକ୍ତି ପ୍ରକାଶ କଲେ । ବୁଢ଼ା ହୋଇ ପଡ଼ିଥିବାରୁ ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ଗୀର୍ଜା ଅଧୀନସ୍ଥ ବହୁସଂଖ୍ୟାରେ ମୃତ୍ୟୁବରଣ କରୁଥିବା ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରିବାକୁ ଯାଇପାରୁ ନ ଥିଲେ । ପର ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ଅସନ୍ତୋଷ ପାଇଁ ଅନତାପ କଲେ ଓ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ କ୍ଷମାପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କଲେ । ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଥିବାବେଳେ ସେ ଚୌକି ଉପରେ ଶୋଇପଡ଼ିଥିଲେ । ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ଆସିଗଲା । ଆକାଶରେ ଅସଂଖ ତାରା ଦୃଶ୍ୟମାନ ହେଲେ ।
Glossary
priest : a person who performs religious rites of the church
weary : tired (କ୍ଳାନ୍ତ)
his flock : members of his parish (ଗୀର୍ଜା ଅଧୀନସ୍ଥ ଲୋକ)
sods : upper strata of grasslands (ଘାସଚେକା )
nodded : relaxed (ମସ୍ତକ ଅବନତ କରି ବିଶ୍ରାମ କରିବା, ତନ୍ଦ୍ରାଚ୍ଛନ୍ନ ହେବା )
moth-hour of eve : the time just before the evening when moths come out (ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାର ଠିକ୍)
grieve : regret (ଦୁଃଖ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିବା)
rest : ବିଶ୍ରାମ
peace : ଶାନ୍ତି
forgive : excuse (କ୍ଷମା କରିବା )
My body spake, not I : He had spoken out of physical exhaustion, not because he did not want to work. His spirit was willing to work, but his flesh was weak. This reminds us of the words which Jesus said when he found Peter sleeping, St. Matthew Ch. XXVI Verse 41, ‘The spirit is willing enough, but the flesh is weak.’ Gilligan’s full name is ‘Peter Gilligan’. Peter is from the Greek ‘Petros’ which means stone or rock.
knelt : ଆଣ୍ଠୁଗଣ୍ଠି
leaned : ଆଉଜି ପଡ଼ିଲେ
the moth-hour went : ଗୋଧୁଳି ସମୟ ଅତିକ୍ରାନ୍ତ
peeped : came into view (ଦୃଶ୍ୟକୁ ଆସିଲା)
Stanza – 5
They slowly………………………………………….. to mankind
More and more stars began to twinkle in the sky. There was darkness all around. Silence spread everywhere. Leaves shook in the wind. God spoke softly to mankind.
ସାରମର୍ମ :
ଆକାଶରେ ଅଧିକସଂଖ୍ୟକ ତାରା ଆଖିମିଟିକା ମାରିବାକୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲେ । ଚତୁର୍ଦ୍ଦିଗରେ ଅନ୍ଧକାର ଛାଇଗଲା । ସବୁଆଡ଼େ ନିସ୍ତବ୍ଧତା । ପବନରେ ପତ୍ରସବୁ ହଲୁଥିଲା । ଭଗବାନ ଯେପରି ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ମାନବଜାତି ସହିତ କଥାବାର୍ତ୍ତା ହେଉଥିଲେ ।
Glossary
They : (here) the stars (ତାରକାରାଜି )
millions grew : many more stars appeared in the sky (ଆବିର୍ଭାବ ହେଲା)
shook : rustled ( ହଲୁଥିଲା )
And God … mankind : God covered the world with darkness and spoke softly to the mankind. ( ଭଗବାନ ମୃଦୁ ସ୍ଵରରେ ମଣିଷ ଜାତିକୁ)
shade : ଛାଇ
whispered : ଚୁପ୍ଚୁପ୍ କରି କହିଲେ
mankind : ମାନବଜାତି
Stanza – (6-8)
Upon the …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. come again !’.
The sparrows began to chirp before the dawn cracked. Suddenly Gilligan woke up from his sleep. He remembered the poor man of the evening. His heart was filled with grief to think that the man had died while he slept on the chair. Father Gilligan rode as fast as he could to the sick man’s house by narrow road and marshy land. The astonishment of the sick man’s wife knew no bounds to see the priest.
ସାରମର୍ମ :
ସକାଳ ହେବା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଘରଚଟିଆମାନେ ରାବିବାକୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିଦେଲେ । ହଠାତ୍ ପିଟର ଗିଲିଗେନ୍ ନିଦରୁ ଉଠିପଡ଼ିଲେ । ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାର ଦରିଦ୍ର ଲୋକଟିର କଥା ସେ ମନେ ପକାଇଲେ । ସେ ଚେୟାର୍ରେ ଶୋଇପଡ଼ିଥିବାବେଳେ ଲୋକଟି ମରିଯାଇଥବ ବୋଲି ଭାବି ତାଙ୍କ ହୃଦୟରେ ଦୁଃଖ ଭରିଗଲା । ସେ ଘୋଡ଼ା ଚଢ଼ି ଖୁବ୍ ଜୋର୍ରେ ଅଣଓସାରିଆ ଓ ସନ୍ତସନ୍ତିଆ ରାସ୍ତା ଦେଇ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ ଲୋକଟି ଘର ଆଡ଼କୁ ଚାଲିଲେ । ପାଦ୍ରୀଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖ୍ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ ଲୋକଟିର ସ୍ତ୍ରୀର ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟର ସୀମା ରହିଲା ନାହିଁ ।
Glossary
the time of sparrow-chirp : the time before (sunrise) when sparrows (small birds) come out and began to chirp (sing)
When …. more : It was evening, after sunset when Gilligan sat dozing on a chair. A little after that he got up, knelt and prayed; but while praying he fell asleep. When he woke up from sleep it was dawn again (the faint light before sunrise).
stood upright : sprang up suddenly awakened from sleep torn by his own conscience (ତାଡ଼ନାରେ ହଠାତ୍ ନିଦରୁ ଉଠିବା)
Mavrone ! : (Irish) little mother : Mary, mother of Jesus Christ addressed affectionately (ଯୀଶୁଙ୍କର) ମା)
Mavrone. mavrone! : a cry of grief (ଦୁଃଖଦ କାନ୍ଦଣା)
roused : wakened (ନିଦରୁ ଉଠେଇଲେ )
He rode …. rode : Peter GiiJian rode too fast for the first time.
lane and fen : narrow road and marshy land (ଓ ସନ୍ତସନ୍ତିଆ ଜମି )
‘Father ‘ again !‘: Gilligan is surprised to hear the words spoken by the sick man’s wife because he had not gone there before
Stanza – (9-12)
‘And is ……………………………………………………………………………… a chair.’
The sick man’s wife conveyed the priest about his (the sick man’s) death. He died merrily an hour ago just after the priest had gone. Gilligan reacted in wonder and disbelief. Peter Gilligan understood that God had sent one of His angels in his guise to pray for the dying man. He prayed to God in gratitude. Peter badly needed rest for he was faithful and dutiful. God, the Maker of the vast universe, had not forgotten even the humblest creatures like him in the cosmic universe.
ସାରମର୍ମ :
ଦରିଦ୍ର ଲୋକଟି ମରିଯାଇଥିବା କଥା ତା’ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ପାଦ୍ରୀକୁ ଜଣାଇଦେଲେ । ସେ ଘଣ୍ଟାଏ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ପାଦ୍ରୀ ଫେରିଯିବା ପରେ ପରେ ଶାନ୍ତିରେ ମରିଥିଲା । ଗିଲିଗେନ୍ ବିସ୍ମୟ ଓ ଅବିଶ୍ଵାସରେ ପ୍ରତିକ୍ରିୟା ପ୍ରକାଶ କଲେ । ପିଟର ଗିଲିଗେନ ବୁଝିପାରିଲେ ଯେ ଭଗବାନ ତା’ ବେଶରେ ଜଣେ ଦେବଦୂତଙ୍କୁ ମୃତ୍ୟୁମୁଖରେ ପଡ଼ିଥିବା ଲୋକଟି ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରିବାକୁ ପଠାଇଥିଲେ । ସେ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କୁ କୃତଜ୍ଞତା ଜଣାଇ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କଲେ । ପିଟର ବିଶ୍ୱସ୍ତ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟପରାୟଣ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ଦରକାର କରୁଥିଲେ । ବିଶାଳ ବିଶ୍ବର ନିର୍ମାତା ତା’ଭଳି ନଗଣ୍ୟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିକୁ ଭୁଲି ଯାଇନଥିବାରୁ ଆତ୍ମସନ୍ତୋଷ ଲାଭ କଲେ ।
Glossary
grief : sadness (ଦୁଖ)
swayed to and fro : moved from side to side, here Gilligan filled with repentance
When word: The delicate: introduction of the; supernatural power which is one of the characteristic of a ballad.
merry : glad (ଆନନ୍ଦ)
he knelt him : he knelt (ସେ ଆଣ୍ଠୁମାଡ଼ି)
tire and bleed : tired of life and work
wrapped in purple robes : God who is all merciful
planets : the whole universe (ସମଗ୍ର ବିଶ୍ବ)
least of things : the humblest being. Father Gilligan
Introducing the Poet
W. B. Yeats (1865-1939) was both a romantic and a modem poet. His early work was full of melody and decoration. It was full of luscious poetry in the romantic or late- romantic mould. His name is closely linked with the Irish Literary Movement. He is generally considered the greatest twentieth century poet in English language. Few poets have celebrated the beauty of woman as splendidly as Yeats has. His poetic career brings out a contrast between the early Yeats and the later Yeats. The former wrote of dreams, and the later of harsh reality. There is rich colouring and symbolism in his poetry. He has own vision of man and the world.
About the Poem
The poem was written at a time when the members were dying everyday in large numbers. Father Gilligan, the old priest of the parish, had to pray for the dying beside their death beds. This legendary tale about Father Gilligan has been told in verse. In other words, it is a ballad in a full measure.
Summary
The poem begins with the tired old priest, Peter Gilligan attending to the dying members of his parish round the clock. It is his duty to pray for them who are dying in large numbers. Evening sets in. Sorely tired, the Father Gilligan is old and weak. He grumbles against overwork. “I have no rest, nor joy, nor peace For people die and die.” But he is in his own elements in a flash. Dutiful priest as he is, he repents. He kneels, and leans on the chair and prays for God’s forgiveness. A tired soul, the priest, while praying sinks into a deep sleep on the chair. Evening leaks away. More and more stars begin to twinkle in the sky. Leaves rustle. The whole world plunges into darkness. Silence reigns everywhere. God whispers to mankind in the absolute calm and still of night. Tom by conscience, the priest springs up straight rousing from sleep. His sorrow knows no bound. “Mavrone, mavrone ! the man had died While / slept on the chair.” The poor man on that evening haunts him. Bitten by guilt, the priest breathlessly rides to the sick man’s house. The sick man’s wife opens the door and is surprised to see the priest again. ‘‘Father! you come again!” He comes to know about the death of the sick man. Father is grief-stricken. He becomes speechless in disbelief when he is told that the man died merrily an hour ago, after he (the priest) had departed. The ways of God begin to unfold before him. He realizes that God had sent one of his angels in his guise to attend to the sick man. His heart is filled with wonder and gratitude for God’s kindness of substituting one of his angels for him. God is all merciful. He has taken care of the humblest creature like him in His vast universe. Father Gilligan is lost in his unflinching love of God.
Moral: God never fails those who unflinchingly serve his fellowmen.
ସାରାଂଶ:
କବିତାର ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭରେ ଆମେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ପାଉ ବୃଦ୍ଧ କ୍ଳାନ୍ତ ପାଦ୍ରୀ ପିଟର ଗିଲିଗେଙ୍କୁ । ଗୀର୍ଜାର ଅଧୀନସ୍ଥ ଅଞ୍ଚଳର ମୁମୂର୍ଷୁମାନଙ୍କର ଦିନରାତି ସେବାକରି ସେ କ୍ଳାନ୍ତ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି । ବହୁସଂଖ୍ୟାରେ ମୃତ୍ୟୁର କବଳିତ ହେଉଥିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିମାନଙ୍କ ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦ୍ଗତି ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରିବା ତାଙ୍କର କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ । ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ଆସିଛି । ଚେୟାର ଉପରେ ବସି ବିଶ୍ରାମ କରୁଥିବା ପାଦ୍ରୀଙ୍କର ମସ୍ତକ କ୍ଳାନ୍ତିରେ ନଇଁପଡ଼ିଛି । ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଅନ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ଦରିଦ୍ର ଲୋକର ସେବା ପାଇଁ ଅନୁରୋଧ ଆସିଛି । ପିଟର ଗିଲିଗେନ୍ ଯେତେ ପରିଶ୍ରମ କରିବା ସମ୍ଭବ ତଦପେକ୍ଷା ଅଧିକ ପରିଶ୍ରମ କରିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ୁଥିବାରୁ ଅସନ୍ତୋଷ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରି ଅସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ବରରେ କହି ଉଠିଛନ୍ତି ‘ମୋର ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନାହିଁ, ନାହିଁ ଆନନ୍ଦ, ନାହିଁ ଶାନ୍ତି କାରଣ ଲୋକମାନେ ମରୁଛନ୍ତି ଓ ମରୁଛନ୍ତି ।’’ ହଠାତ୍ ସେ ଆତ୍ମସଚେତନ ହେଇପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି । ତାଙ୍କ ମୁଖମଣ୍ଡଳରେ ସହସା ଏକ ଦିଗ୍ରୀ ଝଲସି ଉଠିଛି । ସେ ଜଣେ କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟପରାୟଣ ପାଦ୍ରୀ ହୋଇଥିବାରୁ ଏଭଳି ଅସନ୍ତୋଷ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଠିକ୍ ହୋଇନାହିଁ । ତେଣୁ ସେ ଅନୁତାପ କରିଛନ୍ତି । ଚେୟାର ଉପରେ ଝୁଙ୍କିପଡ଼ି ତାଙ୍କୁ କ୍ଷମା କରିବାପାଇଁ ସେ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେତେବେଳକୁ ସେ କିନ୍ତୁ ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ଖୁବ୍ କ୍ଳାନ୍ତ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି । ତେଣୁ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଥିବା ସମୟରେ ସେହି ଚେୟାର ଉପରେ ସେ ଶୋଇପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି । ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ଅତିକ୍ରାନ୍ତ ହୋଇଛି । ଆକାଶରେ କ୍ରମେ ଗୋଟି ଗୋଟି ହୋଇ ଅନେକ ତାରା ଝଲସି ଉଠିଛନ୍ତି । ସମଗ୍ର ପୃଥିବୀ ଉପରକୁ ଅନ୍ଧକାର ମାଡ଼ିଆସିଛି। ଚତୁର୍ଦ୍ଦିଗରେ ନୀରବତା ବିଦ୍ୟମାନ ହୋଇଛି । ନିଥର ରାତ୍ରିର ନିସ୍ତବ୍ଧତା ଭିତରେ ଭଗବାନ ସତେ ଯେପରି ମୃଦୁ ସ୍ଵରରେ ମାନବଜାତିକୁ ଗୋପନ କଥା କହନ୍ତି । ସୁପ୍ତ ପାଦ୍ରୀ ବିବେକର ତାଡ଼ନାରେ ହଠାତ୍ ଚେଇଁ ଉଠିଛନ୍ତି । ଦୁଃଖରେ ଭାଙ୍ଗପଡ଼ି ସେ କହି ଉଠିଛନ୍ତି …. ‘ମୁଁ ଚେୟାରରେ ଶୋଇଥିବାବେଳେ ଲୋକଟି ମରିଯାଇଛି ।’’ସେଦିନ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାରେ ଯେଉଁ ଦରିଦ୍ର ଲୋକର ଡାକରା ଆସିଥିଲା, ତା’ କଥା ଚିନ୍ତାକରି ପିଟର ଗିଲିଗେନ୍ ବିବ୍ରତ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ଅଣନିଃଶ୍ଵାସୀ ହୋଇ ଘୋଡ଼ାରେ ବସି ସେହି ରୋଗୀର ଘରକୁ ଯାଇଛନ୍ତି । ସେହି ଲୋକର ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ କବାଟ ଖୋଲିଛି, ପାଦ୍ରୀଙ୍କୁ ପୁଣି ଥରେ ଦେଖୁ ସେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇ କହିଲା…………..‘ପାଦ୍ରୀ ବାବା ! ଆପଣ ପୁଣି ଆସିଛନ୍ତି !’’ ପିଟର ଗିଲିଗେନ୍ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ପାଇଛନ୍ତି ଯେ, ରୋଗୀଟି ମରିଯାଇଛି । ଦୁଃଖରେ ସେ ଭାଙ୍ଗି ପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି । ସେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଜାଣିଛନ୍ତି ଯେ, ସେ (ପାତ୍ରୀ) ଚାଲିଯିବାର ଠିକ୍ ପରେ ପରେ ଏଇମାତ୍ର ଘଣ୍ଟାଏ ଆଗରୁ ରୋଗୀଟି ମରିଯାଇଛି ସେତେବେଳେ ସେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି; କାରଣ ସେ ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ଆସି ନ ଥିଲେ । ସେ ନିର୍ବାକ୍ ହୋଇ ଯାଇଛନ୍ତି; କିନ୍ତୁ କ୍ରମେ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କର କରୁଣାର ରହସ୍ୟ ତାଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଉନ୍ମୋଚିତ ହୋଇଛି । ସେ ଅନୁଭବ କରିଛନ୍ତି ଯେ, ତାଙ୍କୁ ପ୍ରକୃତରେ କ୍ଳାନ୍ତ ଜାଣି ଭଗବାନ ରୋଗୀର ଶୁଶ୍ରୂଷା ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କର (ପାଦ୍ରୀଙ୍କର) ଛଦ୍ମବେଶରେ ଜଣେ ଦେବଦୂତଙ୍କୁ ପଠାଇଥିଲେ । ଭଗବାନଙ୍କର ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ପାଦ୍ରୀଙ୍କର ଅନ୍ତର କୃତଜ୍ଞତାରେ ଭରିଯାଇଛି । ଏହି ବିଶାଳ ପୃଥିବୀରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଭଳି ଜଣେ ନଗଣ୍ୟ ମଣିଷର ଯତ୍ନ ନେବାକୁ ମଧ୍ଯ ଭଗବାନ ଭୁଲି ନାହାନ୍ତି । ଗଭୀର ଭଗବତ୍ ପ୍ରୀତିରେ ପିଟର୍ ଗିଲିଗେନ୍ ଆତ୍ମହରା ହୋଇ ପଡ଼ିଛନ୍ତି।