Question

In this excerpt from the poem "Thanatopsis" by William Cullen Bryant, what is the meaning of the word list? Of the stern agony, and shroud, and pall, And breathless darkness, and the narrow house, Make thee to shudder and grow sick at heart;-- Go forth, under the open sky, and list To Nature's teachings, while from all around-- Earth and her waters, and the depths of air-- Comes a still voice--Yet a few days, and thee The all-beholding sun shall see no more lean desire force spread

Answer 1

desire

The excerpt start with talking about death and then switches to being free "under the open sky". The speaker says to "list To Nature's teachings". If we were to do the best synonym for list in this phrase we would choose listen. However, listen is not an option. We need to think about why one is being asked to listen. The goal here is for the audience to desire the knowledge that Nature has to offer.