Direction : Read the following poem and answer the question given below :

The poetry of earth is never dead :
When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,
And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run
From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead,

That is the grasshopper's – he takes the lead
In summer luxury – he has never done
With his delights, for when tired out with fun
He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.

The poetry of earth is ceasing never :
On a lone winter evening when the frost
Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills
The Cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever,

And seems to one in drowsiness half lost ;
The Grasshopper's among some grassy hills.

The word, "Faint" in the poem means :

Question

Direction : Read the following poem and answer the question given below :

The poetry of earth is never dead :
When all the birds are faint with the hot sun,
And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run
From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead,

That is the grasshopper's – he takes the lead
In summer luxury – he has never done
With his delights, for when tired out with fun
He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed.

The poetry of earth is ceasing never :
On a lone winter evening when the frost
Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills
The Cricket's song, in warmth increasing ever,

And seems to one in drowsiness half lost ;
The Grasshopper's among some grassy hills.

The word, "Faint" in the poem means :

Accepted Answer

The word "Faint" in the poem is best understood as "Lacking strength," which is Option 1. This interpretation is supported by the context in which the word is used. In the poem, the birds are described as being "faint with the hot sun," suggesting that they are weakened or lacking energy due to the intense heat. This aligns with the meaning of "faint" as lacking strength or vigor.

1. **Explanation for Option 1 (Lacking strength):**  
   The poem describes a scene where the birds are affected by the hot sun, causing them to seek refuge in the cooling trees. The use of the word "faint" here implies that the birds are weakened or exhausted by the heat, which is consistent with the meaning of "lacking strength." This interpretation is logical because extreme heat can cause fatigue and a loss of energy, making "lacking strength" the most appropriate choice.

2. **Explanation for why Option 2 (Having vigour) is incorrect:**  
   "Having vigour" suggests energy and vitality, which contradicts the context of the poem. The birds are described as being affected by the heat, which implies a reduction in energy rather than an abundance of it. Therefore, "having vigour" does not fit the scenario depicted in the poem.

3. **Explanation for why Option 3 (Beauty) is incorrect:**  
   The word "faint" does not relate to beauty in the context of the poem. The focus is on the physical state of the birds under the hot sun, not on their appearance or aesthetic qualities. Thus, "beauty" is not an appropriate interpretation of "faint" in this context.

4. **Explanation for why Option 4 (Refreshed) is incorrect:**  
   "Refreshed" implies a state of renewal or invigoration, which is the opposite of what is described in the poem. The birds are seeking relief from the heat, indicating that they are not in a refreshed state. Therefore, "refreshed" does not accurately capture the meaning of "faint" as used in the poem.

In conclusion, Option 1, "Lacking strength," is the correct interpretation of "faint" in the context of the poem, as it accurately reflects the weakened state of the birds due to the hot sun.