218 Results with the "Poetry" genre
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Ballad: Babette’s Love
Babette was a charming fisher girl from Boulogne, known for her beauty and innocence, spending her days in the Halle or catching shrimp. Her heart is set on marrying an able mariner named Bill, who works for the General Steam-Boat Navigation Company and spends his off-hours dreamily overlooking the port, thoughts possibly adrift to his distant home in Chelsea. Jacot, a customs officer smitten with Babette, confesses his love, only to be rejected as she finds him undesirably thin and declares her affection…-
67.2 K • Ongoing
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In the dim confines of a damp dressing room within the grand Theatre Royal, World, an actor, his face shrouded by a flowing wig and his jaws adorned with a lengthy beard, prepares for his seasonal performance in the cherished pantomime, "HARLEQUIN LIFE AND DEATH." Draped in a gown designed to exaggerate his frail form, he stands ready, urging for the limelight to shine upon the stage, transforming him into the embodiment of jolly Old Christmas. As the curtain rises, the darkness of the stage symbolizes…
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67.2 K • Ongoing
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In "A Discontented Sugar Broker" from *The Bab Ballads*, we are introduced to a prominent figure in the East India broking scene, whose identity remains undisclosed out of respect for privacy. This individual enjoys considerable success in his profession, evidenced by his financial stability, a dedicated spouse, a team consisting of a manager, a few boys, six clerks, and seven porters, and a home free from creditors. Despite this outward prosperity, he harbors a personal dissatisfaction stemming from his…
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67.2 K • Ongoing
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Ballad: The Two Ogres
"The Two Ogres" in *The Bab Ballads* spins a whimsical yet moralistic tale, perfectly suited for both obedient and mischievous children. This ballad, set in the magical Wickham Wold, introduces us to two distinct ogres representing the extremes of good and evil. The younger ogre is as virtuous as the elder is vile, embodying the dichotomy of character in fantastical form. James M'Alpine, the elder, is a creature of base desires, indulging his appetite with a ruthless efficiency that targets well-behaved…-
69.1 K • Ongoing
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Ballad: The Two Majors
In the ballad "The Two Majors" from "The Bab Ballads," an insightful look into military life and the complex relationships between officers and their men is presented with both humor and a touch of irony. Major La Guerre and Major Makredi Preper are depicted as the embodiment of the strict yet respected military officer. Both majors are fervent in their lack of praise and abundant in their rebukes, characteristics that paradoxically endear them to their soldiers. Their shared philosophy is that a soldier,…-
69.1 K • Ongoing
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In the ballad "The Sailor Boy to His Lass," the narrator, a sailor boy, addresses his beloved Matilda as he prepares to set sail. The poem opens with his departure for an undisclosed location, as the captain, Captain Hyde, keeps the destination a secret from the crew. The sailor boy expresses frustration over being kept in the dark due to his lowly position but quickly moves past this grievance to focus on matters of the heart. He eagerly questions Matilda about their future, specifically whether they…
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69.1 K • Ongoing
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Ballad: The Reverend Simon Magus
In the ballad "The Reverend Simon Magus," a wealthy and competitive advowson, sought after by many clergymen, comes to the attention of The Reverend Simon Magus. Desiring to purchase this valuable position, he engages with an agent to discuss acquiring the Cure of Otium-cum-Digge. The agent describes the vicarage as the epitome of comfort, free from duties, with an annual income of fifteen hundred pounds. He hints that the position will soon be available due to the current incumbent's advanced age of…-
69.1 K • Ongoing
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In the whimsical ballad "The Perils Of Invisibility," we meet Old Peter, who suffers under the tyranny of a tempestuous wife and battles with his considerable girth, measuring several yards in circumference. One fateful summer day, a diminutive fairy named Picklekin visits Peter, offering him three extraordinary gifts: boundless riches, eternal health, or the power of invisibility. Without a moment's hesitation, Peter opts for invisibility, dreaming of the peace it will bring from his wife's relentless…
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69.1 K • Ongoing
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Ballad: The Mystic Selvagee
Sir Blennerhassett Portico, a renowned Navy Captain, esteemed Baronet, and decorated K.C.B., harbored an unwavering belief—instilled from his formative years—that Lord Rodney was the quintessential naval hero far outshining any other. Sir Portico revered Rodney's naval prowess above all and dedicated himself to emulating the legendary seaman's every habit, from speech to posture. In this pursuit, he managed to uncover Jasper, a weathered sailor who once sailed under Rodney's command during the…-
69.1 K • Ongoing
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Ballad: The Modest Couple
"The Modest Couple" from "The Bab Ballads" humorously portrays the extreme bashfulness of a couple, Peter and Sarah, from their betrothal in infancy until their exceedingly modest marriage. Their relationship is characterized by excessive shyness, with both parties fainting and blushing at mere introductions. This shyness persists despite the Baron's (Peter's father) attempts to normalize their interactions, which both Sarah and Peter find coarse and alarming. Their modesty reaches a peak when, at the…-
69.1 K • Ongoing
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