Read the text.
VALENTINE’ S DAY HISTORY
It’s that time again. Time to buy little valentines with messages like “Be mine” and “You are tops.” It’s time for all the nifty candy to come out. But most important of all, it’s the time to show those dear to you how much you love them. Isn’t it great that we have an entire holiday devoted to loving one another? Valentine’s Day has dubious origins. There are three main theories on how it came to be.
Some scholars believe that it came from the Roman festival on February 15 called Lupercalia, performed to ensure protection from the wolves. Another theory is that Valentine’s Day is in honor of two Christian saints named Valentine. One lived in Rome in the AD 200s and married young couples against the law of the then-Emperor Claudis II.
The second, who lived in a city about 60 miles outside Rome, made great friends with the children of the town. He was later imprisoned for not worshipping the right gods. The children missed him so much that they threw loving notes through the bars of his cell window. Both were executed February 14 in Rome. In AD 469, St. Pope Gelasius I named February 14 Valentine’s Day.
The third theory is English in origin. Many believed that birds chose their mates on this day. Whatever the origins, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in different ways over the years. Originally, the names of all the ladies of the town were put into a hat, and the men would each draw one. That lady would become his Valentine. Most young men would buy presents for their valentines. Sometimes they were very expensive!
In the 1400s, however, this changed, and Valentine’s Day became less about gift giving and - getting and more about declaration of love.
It’s too bad it has begun to shift back, recently, to the gifts, flowers, and candy mentality. Instead of spending much money saying “I love you” with flowers and candies, do it by giving gifts that come from the heart, not necessarily the store.
Ex.1. Learn these words and phrases from the text above and use them in your own sentences.
nifty - ìîäíûé, ñòèëüíûé
bar - ðåøåòêà
entire - ïîëíûé, öåëûé
cell - êàìåðà
dubious - ñîìíèòåëüíûé
to execute - êàçíèòü
to ensure - îáåñïå÷èâàòü
to shift - ñäâèãàòü, èçìåíÿòü
in honor of - â ÷åñòü êîãî ëèáî
mentality - óìñòâåííûå ñïîñîáíîñòè, óìñòâåííîå ðàçâèòèå
Ex.2. Match the left and right columns.
1. It is great that...
a)... February 14 is Valentine’s Day.
2. This holiday is...
b)... was a great friend of children.
3. Valentine’s Day has...
c)... called Valentine’s Day.
4. There are three...
d)... less about gift giving and getting, and more about declaration of love.
5. Some scholars believe that...
e)... become his valentine.
6. Another theory is that...
f)... executed February 14 in Rome.
7. One lived in Rome and...
g)...we have an entire holiday devoted to loving one another.
8. The second who lived not far from Rome...
h)...dubious origin.
9. When he was imprisoned later for not worshipping the right gods...
i)...has been celebrated in different ways.
10. Both were...
j)...the children missed him so much that they threw loving notes through the bars of his cell window.
11. In AD 469, St. Pope Gelasius I named...
k)...theories how it came to be.
12. The third theory is...
l)... married young couples against the law.
13. Whatever the origins, Valentine’s Day...
m)...put into a hat, and the men would each draw one.
14. Originally, the names of all ladies15 February.
n)...it came from the Roman festival on of the town were..
15. That lady would...
o)... Valentine’s Day is in honor of two Christian saints named Valentine.
16. It is great if your Valentine’s Day is…
p)... English in origin, and says that many believed that birds chose their mates on this day.
Ex.3.What questions have been asked if the answers are as follows.
1. Valentine’s Day is celebrated on the 14-th of February.
2. People buy and send valentines with messages of love, buy candies, and chocolates for their sweethearts.
3. The most important of all is to show those dear to you how much you love them.
4. No, we don’t know for sure. This holiday has dubious origins.
5. There are three main theories on how this holiday came to be.
6. Some of the scholars believe that it came from the Roman festival.
7. Another theory says that Valentine’s Day is in honor of 2 Christian saints named Valentine.
8. One of these two lived in Rome and married young couples against the law of the then Emperor Claudis II.
9. The other one made friends with the children of the town where he lived-not far from Rome.
10. They both were executed on the 14 of February in Rome.
11. The third theory of English origin says that on this very day birds choose their mates.
12. Yes, Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in different ways over the years.
Do you know …
SOME VALENTINE SYMBOLS
Heart
Emotions are feelings such as love, happiness, anger, or fear. A long time ago, people believed that all emotions were found in the heart. In later years, they thought only the emotion of love was connected with the heart. The heart is still a symbol of love, and because of this, it is also a symbol of Valentine’s Day.
Red Rose
The rose was a favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Red is a color that stands for strong feelings. This is why the red rose is a flower of love.
Lace
Lace is a pretty fabric made by weaving together fine threads. Hundred of years ago, women carried lace handkerchiefs. If a woman dropped her handkerchief, a man nearby might pick it up and return it to her. Sometimes a woman might see a man she wanted to meet. She might drop her lace handkerchief on purpose to encourage romance. Soon people thought of romance when they thought of lace. They began using paper lace to decorate chocolate boxes and Valentine cards.
Gloves
Years ago, when a man proposed marriage to a woman, he asked “for her hand.” The hand became a symbol of marriage and love. Soon gloves also became a symbol of love.
Rings
In some countries, men and women exchange rings when they become engaged or married. Two or three hundred years ago, Valentine’s Day was a popular day for giving an engagement ring. An engagement ring usually had a stone or jewel set in it. Diamonds are common in today’s engagement rings.
Cupid
Son of Venus, goddess of love. He could cause people to fall in love by piercing them with one of his magic arrows.
Enjoy the poem.
THE MAGIC OF LOVE
By Helen Steiner Rice
Love is like magic
And it always will be,
For love still remains
Love’s sweet mystery.
Love works in ways
That are wondrous and strange
And there’s nothing in life
That Love cannot change!
Love is unselfish,
Understanding and kind,
For it sees with its heart
And not with its mind!
Love is the answer
That everyone seeks-
Love is the language
That every heart speaks.
St Valentines Day Poetry
Forgotten
(Algernon Swinburne 1837-1909)
I remember the way we parted,
The day and the way we met;
You hoped we were both broken-hearted,
And knew we should both forget.
And the best and the worst of this is
That neither is most to blame,
If you have forgotten my kisses,
And I have forgotten your name.
Some Time
(Eleanor Farjeon)
Some time! some time!
When will it be?
It might be winter,
It might be spring,
With snow on the ground
Or fruit on the tree,
Some time! some time!
When will it be?
Some one! some one!
What is he like?
Perhaps a coal-man,
Perhaps a king.
Will he come on a horse
Or a motor-bike?
Some one! some one!
What is he like?
Somewhere! somewhere!
Oh, but where?
In a hollow
Or on a height?
Over the water?
At the fair?
Somewhere! somewhere!
Oh, but where?
Some time! some time!
When will it be?
It might be morning,
It might be night,
With the sun in the sky
Or the moon on the sea –
Some time! some time!
When will it be?
The Size of Your Heart
(Author Unknown)
It isn't the size of your house as such
That matters so much at all.
It's the gentle hand and its loving touch,
That make it great or small.
The friends who come and the hour they
Who out of your house depart,
Will judge it not by the style you show,
But rather by the size of your heart.
It isn't the size of your head so much,
It isn't the wealth you found.
That will make you happy — it's how you touch
The lives that are all around.
For making money is not hard —
To live life well is an art:
How people love you, how they regard,
Is all in the size of your heart.
Sonnet
I
Through
Blue
Sky
Fly
To
You
Why?
Sweet
Love
Feet
Move
So
Slow.
Anon.
St. Valentine Day Traditions
Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.
Good morning to you valentine;
Curl your locks as I do mine—
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you valentine
Quotes on St Valentine's Day, Love and Romance
Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine,
Love, thou art every day my Valentine! - Thomas HoodI claim there ain't Another Saint
As great as Valentine. - Ogden NashA lovely heart-shaped box of chocolates was received on Valentine's Day by a coed from her newest date. On the enclosed card was the inscription, "To Helen - with all my allowance."
Love me little, love me long,
Is the burden of my song. - Old BalladAnd on her lover's arm she leant,
And round her waist she felt it fold,
And far across the hills they went
In that new world which is the old. - TennysonPickwick Papers
Never sign a Valentine with your own name. - Charles DickensLove is the answer, but while you're waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty good questions. - Woody Allen
Annie Hall (of masturbation)
Don't knock it. It's sex with someone you love. - Woody AllenLet those love now, who never loved before;
Let those who always loved, now love the more. - AnonymousTo do him any wrong was to beget
A kindness from him for his heart was rich-
Of such fine mould that if you sowed therein
The seed of Hate, it blossomed Charity. - TennysonThe course of true love never did run smooth. - William Shakespeare
No man at one time can be wise and love. - Robert Herrick
To be rich in admiration and free from envy; to rejoice greatly in the good of others; to love with such generosity of heart that your love is still a dear possession in absence or unkindness - these are the gifts of fortune which money cannot buy nothing and without which money can buy nothing. He who has such a treasury of riches, being happy and valiant himself, in his own nature, will enjoy the universe as if it were his own estate; and help the man to whom he lends a hand to enjoy it with him. - Robert Louis Stevenson
And on her lover's arm she leant,
And round her waist she felt it fold,
And far across the hills they went
In that new world which is the old. - TennysonThen, must you speak of one that loved not wisely but too well; of one not easily jealous, but being wrong perplex'd in the extreme. - William Shakespeare
There's beggary in the love that can be reckon'd. - William Shakespeare
Men have died from time to time, and worms have eaten them, - but not for love. - William Shakespeare
'Tis better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. - Tennyson
Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I'll not look for wine. - Ben JonsonI am not one of those who do not beieve in love at first sight, but I believe in taking a second look. - H. Vincent
A man in love schemes more than a hundred lawyers.- Spain
We always return to our first loves. - America
The eyes have one language everywhere. - Romania
