• LETTER–To Alexandre Dumas Cover
      by LovelyMay In this letter to Alexandre Dumas, the author celebrates Dumas's vast and golden literary legacy, likening it to a solid foundation more enduring than rock. Dumas, despite a moment of late-life doubt where he envisioned his works as impermanent as structures on sand, is reassured of his everlasting impact on literature, akin to the immortal stories from the "Arabian Nights" or tales of Boccaccio. Esteemed for introducing a "greater and more kindly" influence in modern literature, Dumas's creativity,…
    • LETTER–To Theocritus Cover
      by LovelyMay In this reflective letter to Theocritus, the author begins by hearkening to the sweetness of Theocritus's own verse, capturing the essence of his poetry which dances fluidly between the joyous and the melancholy shades of life. The author ponders whether, in death, Theocritus found a realm as enriching as the Sicilian landscape that fueled his inspiration. Contemplating the existence of an afterlife sweeter than the most vivid dreams of poets, the author imagines an Elysium under alien stars where…
    • LETTER–To Monsieur de Moliere, Valet de Chambre du Roi Cover
      by LovelyMay In a reverent tone, the author initiates a letter to Monsieur de Moliere, expressing immense admiration for Moliere's transformational impact on French comedy, paralleling his achievements with those of Louis XIV for France. Moliere is commended for not only elevating the genre of comedy but also fostering a cultural exchange that saw the English stage significantly influenced by French wit, particularly during times when English playwrights infused their works with a coarser humor unlike the refined taste…
    • LETTER–To Robert Burns Cover
      by LovelyMay In addressing Robert Burns, the person conveys a unique blend of admiration and critique regarding the Scottish poet's influence and legacy. As a figure deeply beloved by his people, Burns is seen as embodying the ideals and foibles of the Scottish spirit—his independence, his love for whisky and the lassies, elevating him to an almost mythic status among Scots. The year marking the centennial of Burns's celebrated Poems published in Kilmarnock is anticipated to spark widespread festivities and an uptick…
    • LETTER–To Lord Byron Cover
      by LovelyMay In a witty and eloquent letter addressed to Lord Byron, the author expresses admiration and critiques surrounding Byron’s legacy, cleverly intertwining praise with the criticisms of contemporaries and later critics. The letter opens humorously, referencing Leigh Hunt's less formal address to Byron and setting the tone for a playful yet insightful scrutiny of Byron's posthumous reputation. The writer humorously laments the fate of Byron's works in an age less receptive to his genius, navigating through…
    • LETTER–To Omar Khayyam Cover
      by LovelyMay In his letter to the Persian poet Omar Khayyam, the author pays homage to Khayyam's philosophical and existential musings, encapsulating the essence of his work while contextualizing it within a broad historical and geographical tapestry. He begins by evoking the imagery of southern breezes tossing rose petals—symbolic of beauty and transience—over Khayyam's grave, a nod to the poet's own verses on life's fleeting nature. This introduction not only sets the letter's reflective tone but also aligns the…
    • LETTER–To Q. Horatius Flaccus Cover
      by LovelyMay In his letter to Q. Horatius Flaccus, commonly known as Horace, the author muses on the nature of the afterlife and whether it offers Horace the same pleasures he enjoyed in life: the beauty of both country and town, and the delights of nature and human company. The letter reflects on Horace's stoic and Epicurean beliefs, dwelling on the theme that death marks an eternal parting, without hope for reunion in the afterlife. Unlike Virgil, who traversed the realms of the dead with hope, Horace's acceptance of…
    • CHAPTER VIII — The Circus Boys on the Mississippi Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter VIII of "The Circus Boys On the Mississippi," the story dives into a chaotic day at the docks involving January, a rebellious donkey belonging to the circus. The chapter starts with Teddy, one of the Circus Boys, rushing to a commotion to find January performing a spectacle of defiance, refusing to board their vessel. Despite attempts by the workmen to coerce him onto the boat, January resists with kicks and bites, creating a spectacle that draws the attention and commands of Mr. Sparling, the…
    • CHAPTER IX — The Circus Boys on the Mississippi Cover
      by LovelyMay In Chapter IX of "The Circus Boys On the Mississippi," trouble unfolds when Teddy, one of the circus boys, is flung by a bull named Jupiter, causing alarm among the circus crew. Mr. Sparling, the show owner, is panicked and mobilizes a search for Teddy, fearing he might have fallen into the Mississippi River. Simultaneously, Mr. Kennedy is dealing with the anxious elephants on the circus boat named "Marie," especially as the gangway to the ship is lost and floating down the river. A boat is quickly…
    • CHAPTER X — The Circus Boys on the Mississippi Cover
      by LovelyMay Chapter X of "The Circus Boys On the Mississippi" opens with the Sparling circus fleet preparing to journey down the Mississippi River to the Gulf. As dawn breaks, the boats, including the "Little Nemo," are ready to depart. Crew members and performers are called to finalize their boarding, and with the pilots' commands, the fleet casts off, initiating their adventure. Teddy, one of the Circus Boys, is exhilarated, though his companion, Phil, suggests they catch up on sleep to rejuvenate themselves for the…
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