Declamation Pieces: English
A Glass of Cold Water Everybody calls me young, beautiful, beau tiful, wonderful. Am I? Look at my hair, my lips, my red rosy cheeks and a pair of blinkering eyes. I remember, somebody says that I look like my mother that I look like my mother. But that when she was young. Now, I am much lovelier than she is. I'm a mortal Venus. Oops! What time is it? I must get ready for the party! Beep- beep…!A-huh! beep…!A-huh! Here they are! Yes, I'm coming! "Child, are you still there?" "Hmp! That's my mama" "Child, are you still there? Will you please get me a glass of cold water?" "Mama, I'm in a hurry!" "Please child, try to get me a glass of cold water." "Mama, please, try to get it on your own." "Please child, try to get me a glass of cold water!" At the party, I danced and danced the whole night. You see, I can't leave the party at once. I have to danced with everybody who proposed to me. At last, the party is over. I'm very tired. Very, very tired. So, I went home to tell mama what happened. "Mama, I'm home! It's very quiet. "Mama, I'm home!" Nobod y answers. Where is she? I look for her in the sala, but she's not there. Where is she? A -huh! In the kitchen! I saw my mama, lying down on the floor, dead. With a glass on her hand. I remember, she tried to get it. Oh, God, just for the glass of cold water! wate r! Mama! Mama! Oh, Mama!
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It is raining
The Spider and the Fly
It is raining. Where would you like to be in the rain? Where would you like to be? I’d like to be on a city street Where the rain comes driving down Trying to make things neat As it washes the houses, roof and wall The taxis, buses, cars, and all. That’s where I’d like to be in the rain That’s where I’d like to be.
“Will you walk into my parlor?” Said the spider to the fly.” ‘This the prettiest little parlor That you ever spy.
It is raining. Where would you like to be in the rain? Where would you like to be? I’d like to be in a tall tree top Where the rain comes dripping drop, drop, drop, drop, Around on every side – where it wets the farmers, the barns, the pig. the cows, the chickens, both little and big. Where it batters and beats on a field of grain. And makes the little birds hide from the rain. That’s where I’d like to be in the rain. That’s where I’d like to be. It is raining. Where would you like to be in the rain? Where would you like to be? I’d like to be on a ship at sea Where everything’s wet as can be And the waves are rolling high Where sailors are pulling the ropes and singing And winds in the rigging and salt’s sprays stinging And round us sea gulls cry On a dipping, skimming ship at sea. That’s where I’d like to be in the rain. That’s where I’d like to be.
“The way into my parlor Is up at a winding stair And I have many curious things To show when you are there.” “Oh, no, no!” said the f ly “To ask me is in vain; For who goes up your winding stair. Can never come down again .” “Sweet creature,” said the spider. “You’re witty and you’re wise; How handsome are your gauzy wings; How brilliant are your eyes!” “I have a little looking glass Upon my parlor shelf; If you’ll step in one moment, dear, You shall behold yourself” “I thank you, gentle, sir,” she said, “For what you’re pleased to say, And bidding you good morning now, I’ll call another day.” The spider turned round about, And went into his den For well he knew the silly fly Would soon be back again.
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O Captain My Captain by Walt Whitman
The Rich Man and the Poor Man
O Captain my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up--for you the flag is flung for you the bugle trills, For you bouquets and ribboned wreaths for you the shores a-crowding, For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head! It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead. My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still; My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will; The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done; From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; Exult O shores, and ring O bells! But I, with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.
"Food and money I give to you, Why do you shout so mercily When I give you your part?" queried the rich man. The poor man replied: "Your question you cannot answer For from pain and agony you are free, But I have suffered and borne The situation that I don't like to be in." "That I couldn't understand Because Life for me is easy; I take this and take that, And life is just what I want it to be." consented the rich man. "Comfort your mind, rich man, with realities of death. Your wealth I do not envy For you can not buy eternity with money. If to live happily is to live in hypocrisy, Then I prefer to be silly so I would be holy. Life you love so much you will lose And only then will you understand What agony is," the poor man shouted. "Ha! Ha! Ha! You say so For you desire this place of mine. Indulgence you have clouded with reason But I understand because of your situation." boastfully the rich man said. Outraged the poor man answered: "How pitiful the person blinded with pleasure; No, you don't care of our journey That you have created through your greediness. Come now, man of weak soul! Your days are numbered for you to face The Man of Love. You may not cry now but later you will When the chilling reality of the last judgment Comes across your way; Yes, then you will pity, but not for me. Not for anybody else. But for yourself only! Yes, eat, drink, and be merry. For tomorrow you shall die!
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Criteria for Judging Declamation Contest: (ENGLISH)
Over-all interpretation (voice, facial expression, gesture and movements) b. Pronunciation, Intonation and Fluency c. Mastery of the Piece d. Audience impact and Stage Presence TOTAL
40 % 30% 15 % 15% 100%
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