These lines have been taken from the poem "ULYSSES" written by Tennyson.

Context:

In this poem Tennyson narrates the story of Ulysses a famous Greek hero who traveled widely and fought may battles. He had come back from long journey. He does not want to stop traveling. He wants to go out once again with his sailors to see more of the world. He asks his companions to join him and sail beyond the sunset. He tells them that although they have grown old, they still have sufficient courage to achieve their goal before their death.

STANZA NO. 1: "Souls that have ------------------------------- free foreheads."

In these lines Ulysses is addressing his old companions. He reminds his companions that they have been doing great things in the past. They worked hard and accomplished great works. They welcomed the storms and the sunshine and faced all the troubles boldly. He says that now they have become old but even in the old age they can do something great.

STANZA NO. 2: "You and I are old ------------------------------ strove with gods."

In these lines Ulysses is inspiring his companions to get ready to start a new journey. He tells them that death is the end of everything, but before dying some great deed can be done because we have fought with gods. Ulysses means to say that as long as they are alive they should not sit idle. They should not worry if they have become old.

STANZA NO. 3: "The lights begging ------------------------------------ a newer world."

In these lines Ulysses is telling to his old friends to get ready for the final journey of their lives. He tells them that the ling day is over and moon is also rising slowly. The darkness of the evening is approaching. The sea is making different sounds and the rushing waves of the sea. He tells his friends to come forward. They should not worry about the difficulties of the journey.

STANZA NO. 4: "Push off, and ---------------------------------------- until I die."

In these lines Ulysses invites his friends to push off their ship from the shore and start their journey with courage. He tills them to sit in proper order and strike the water with their oars to sail on the surface on the sea. He tells them that he wants to sail beyond the boundaries of the sea where the sun and the stars go after setting. He says that he will continue his journey until the last moment of his life.

STANZA NO. 5: "It may be ---------------------------------------- whom we know."

In these lines Ulysses is asking his old friends to set out on a new journey. He says that it is possible that the waves of the sea may wash them down or they may reach the Happy Isles, where they may meet Achilles, who was their great leader in the war and they all knew him well. No doubt it is a difficult journey but he encourages them to start it.

STANZA NO. 6: "tho much is ------------------------------------- and not to yield."

In these lines Ulysses tolls his companions that although they have lost a greater part of their strength and energy, still much remains. Indeed they have lost the strength of the youth and they are not as strong as they were in old days. In their youth they could move heaven and earth. Nothing seemed impossible to them on those days. Now time and fate have made them weak. They may not be as powerful as they were in their youth, when they were able to fight with gods but even now they have a strong will power. They still possess brave hearts. They will struggle continuously.

MANSOOR ALI SHAH.