Poetry Archives - Page 24 of 26

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Ballad: Pasha Bailey Ben

by LovelyMay — In "Pasha Bailey Ben," a ballad within *The Bab Ballads*, we encounter the dignified yet stout Pasha Bailey Ben, a figure of pride with ten tails and three wives. His life, filled with peculiar presents from pilgrims, showcases the diverse and odd forms of adoration he receives, ranging from onions to cold boiled beef and even telescopes. These varied gifts, seemingly incongruent – like white kid gloves, candlesticks, and potted quails – emphasize the pasha's broad albeit curious influence. Central to…
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Ballad: Old Paul And Old Tim

by LovelyMay — In the humorous ballad "Old Paul and Old Tim," two equally matched suitors, Old Paul and Old Tim, vie for the affections of the young and spirited Emily. Neither suitor possesses distinct advantages over the other, presenting a dilemma for Emily, neither attracting nor repelling her particularly. Paul and Tim are described as old, bold, and of no discernible preference, emphasizing their indistinguishable suitability as potential husbands. Emily, however, demands a proof of bravery from her suitors,…
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Chapter

Ballad: My Dream

by LovelyMay — In the imaginative ballad "My Dream" from "The Bab Ballads," the poet recounts a fascinating dream where societal norms are completely inverted in a place called Topsy-Turveydom. Here, the conventional understandings of virtue and vice are flipped, as are perceptions of value and morality. In this realm, black is white, and right is wrong, challenging the reader's preconceptions and inviting them to question societal norms. Babies born in Topsy-Turveydom are astonishingly wise, familiar with advanced…
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Chapter

Ballad: Mister William

by LovelyMay — In "Mister William," a ballad from "The Bab Ballads," we are introduced to the tale of Mr. William, a character who leads a life of respectability and kindness but is tempted into committing a crime purely to experience vice. He rationalizes that a single act of wickedness after a lifetime of virtue will not tarnish his reputation, comparing his planned sin to the innocent misbehaviors of a child, suggesting that minor sins can accumulate over time if not addressed. William decides against petty theft,…
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Chapter

Ballad: Lost Mr. Blake

by LovelyMay — In the ballad "Lost Mr. Blake" from The Bab Ballads, we meet Mr. Blake, a notorious sinner far removed from the norms of respectable Christianity. His weekly routines flaunt conventional piety, including indulging in tobacco and alcohol on Sundays. Despite his disregard for ecclesiastical propriety, such as mocking the disputes over clerical vestments and showing disdain for charity that does not involve direct giving, Blake lives by a code uniquely his own, ignoring societal and religious…
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Chapter

Ballad: Little Oliver

by LovelyMay — In "Little Oliver," Earl Joyce, an eighty-two-year-old nobleman, lives contented yet troubled by gout, with his exceptional daughter, Lady Minnie-Haha Joyce. Named for her enchanting voice, Minnie-Haha, interpreted as "Laughing Water," is a magnet for suitors due to her stunning beauty and charm. Amidst her high-born admirers, Oliver, a page of modest means and no title, quietly adores her from afar. His love is deep, albeit he recognizes the futility of his desires due to their different social…
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Ballad: Lieutenant-Colonel Flare

by LovelyMay — In the ballad "Lieutenant-Colel Flare," the narrator celebrates an unparalleled military unit headed by Colonel Flare, distinguished not by martial prowess but by brotherly love and moral integrity. Unlike typical soldiers, Colonel Flare's men are depicted as innocuous and gentle, abstaining from vices common among their ilk, embodying innocence to the extent of engaging in activities like tatting or doll-nursing — pursuits far removed from the conventional soldierly demeanor. Colonel Flare's leadership…
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Chapter

Ballad: Hongree And Mahry. A Recollection Of A Surrey Melodrama

by LovelyMay — In the picturesque setting of Aquitaine, under the enchanting Wizard's Oak, Hongree, a Sub-Lieutenant of Chassoores, and Mahry Daubigny, affectionately known as the Village Rose, share a clandestine rendezvous. Unknown to them, their intimacy is witnessed by Lieutenant-Colonel Jooles Dubosc, Hongree's rival in love, who harbors intentions to wed Mahry and thrust her into a life of sophistication— a life for which her rustic simplicity is unsuited. Jooles Dubosc's brutish pursuits starkly contrast with…
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Chapter

Ballad: Gregory Parable, LL.D.

by LovelyMay — In the leafy environs adorned with ivy and bustling with the activity of bees and birds, stood a thatch-roofed, dry rot-free cottage. This quaint dwelling was home to Mary and her scholarly father, Gregory Parable, LL.D., a man of simple pleasures and profound learning. Gregory, an erudite yet childlike scholar, was deeply engrossed in Latin grammars and the ancient texts of Caesar and Balbus, often found pondering their complexities in the early spring green of his garden. Gregory's life was a quiet…
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Chapter

Ballad: First Love

by LovelyMay — In the quaint village of Berkshire, resided the Reverend Bernard Powles, a clergyman beloved by at least a hundred souls who regularly attended his sermons. Among these faithful was Ellen, a modest rustic belle renowned for her simplicity and purity. Despite her plain attire, there was no husband in the town who didn't wish for a wife like Ellen, who became affectionately known as the Village Violet. Her innocence and timid beauty captivated the heart of anyone who met her, including Reverend Powles…
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