• THE PROMISE OF HELEN Cover
      by LovelyMay The chapter titled "The Promise of Helen" from the book Ban and Arriere Ban portrays a romantic and mystical revival of the concept of romance and adventure. Opening with a poetic invocation to a beloved lost and then regained, it sets the stage for a narrative that intertwines love, loss, and the supernatural. The speaker addresses their true love, promising the return of a beloved figure who, despite being wed to another or even dead, is now waking for the speaker. This section encapsulates themes of…
    • HOW THEY HELD THE BASS FOR KING JAMES–1691–1693 Cover
      by LovelyMay In the chapter "How They Held the Bass for King James" from the tale recounted in 1743, the narrative unfolds a stirring historical saga set during the years 1691-1693, depicting the valorous feat of a small group of cavaliers who daringly defended the Bass Rock against the forces opposed to King James. The Bass, a formidable natural fortress surrounded by the tempestuous seas near North Berwick Law, had previously been a grim prison for those dedicated to the Covenant, where they endured their confinement…
    • Ban and Arriere Ban Cover
      by LovelyMay Ban and Arrière-Ban by George Meredith is a historical novel set in the medieval period, blending romance, adventure, and intrigue as it follows the lives of knights and noble families. The story explores themes of loyalty, honor, and personal conflict, focusing on the complex relationships between its characters as they navigate societal expectations and the challenges of chivalric duty. The novel's title refers to the medieval French legal terms for summoning all able-bodied men to arms, reflecting the novel's focus on military and familial obligations.
    • Ballad:  Etiquette Cover
      by LovelyMay The ballad "Etiquette" from "The Bab Ballads" tells a humorous yet insightful story about the absurdities of social conventions and the powerful role of personal connections. The tale begins with the sinking of the BALLYSHANNON off the coast of Cariboo, leading to the unfortunate drowning of its crew, captains, and greedy owners. However, two passengers, Young PETER GRAY, a tea taster for BAKER, CROOP, AND CO., and SOMERS, an importer of indigo from Eastern shores, survive by clinging to a mast and…
    • Ballad:  Hongree And Mahry.  A Recollection Of A Surrey Melodrama Cover
      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…
    • Ballad:  The Fairy Curate Cover
      by LovelyMay In the whimsical ballad "The Fairy Curate," a fairy, described as light and airy, crosses the divide between the magical and mortal worlds by marrying an attorney from Ealing. Amidst the secrecy that shrouds their union, their love blooms, and in due course, they welcome a son they name Georgie. As Georgie matures, he gravitates towards his fairy heritage, yet chooses a profoundly earthly vocation—the clergy, aspiring to become a curate. With the unique advantage of his mother's magical assistance,…
    • Ballad:  Phrenology Cover
      by LovelyMay In "Phrenology," a ballad from *The Bab Ballads*, we encounter a comedic scenario involving Sir Herbert White and a policeman, identified as James, Policeman Thirty-two, after an attempted crime. Sir Herbert, having been assaulted and nearly choked by a suspect, demands the immediate arrest of the perpetrator. However, the situation takes an unexpected turn upon the policeman's peculiar refusal to apprehend the alleged criminal. This refusal is not grounded in a lack of evidence or a procedural flaw but in…
    • Ballad:  The Cunning Woman Cover
      by LovelyMay In the bucolic lands of Arcadia, no couple shone with as much happiness as Bill and Jane. Their love was untainted by the troubles that often befuddled the society of their time—financial panics and stock market crashes were foreign to their simple, joyous existence. Bill tilled the land, while Jane nurtured the gardens; their days were filled with dance, music, and nature’s chorus, encapsulated perfectly when Bill serenaded Jane, declaring their undying love and mutual fondness. This idyllic picture,…
    • Ballad:  The Mystic Selvagee Cover
      by LovelyMay 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…
    • Ballad:  Old Paul And Old Tim Cover
      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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