1263 Emily Dickinson

[Prince Smiles]

1263 by Emily Dickinson

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry—
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll—
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human soul


The great lady from Amherst Mass.
A celebration of written language.
Deceptively simple verse.
Seldom equalled.

[Veho]

Nicely put, Sir.

One of my favourites: 1311

This dirty — little — Heart
Is freely mine.
I won it with a Bun —
A Freckled shrine —

But eligibly fair
To him who sees
The Visage of the Soul
And not the knees.

[Prince Smiles]

Nicely put, Sir.

One of my favourites: 1311

This dirty — little — Heart
Is freely mine.
I won it with a Bun —
A Freckled shrine —

But eligibly fair
To him who sees
The Visage of the Soul
And not the knees.

Veho,

A good selection, too.

I do like her use of dashes and capital letters.

[Veho]

Veho,

A good selection, too.

I do like her use of dashes and capital letters.

Yes! Me too. I was surprised to see so many the first time I looked at her poetry but the dashes work wonderfully when reading aloud or to one's self, actually.

[Prince Smiles]

The first time I saw Dickinson’s use of capitals it brought to mind Daniel Defoe’s work. He was Keen on Capitalizing a Word or Two.

Moll Flanders:

This plung’d me again, for when I considered the thing calmly, and took my Husband as he really was, a diligent careful Man in the main Work of laying up an Estate for his Children, and that he knew nothing of the dreadful Circumstances he was in,..

(Plung’d : plunge, trouble, incumbrance)

Memoirs of a Cavalier:

Now the King was his Mistake, in not continuing his March for London, instead of Facing about to fight the Enemy at Edgehill.

Robinson Crusoe:

Now I began to take Courage, and to peep abroad again; for I had not stirr’d out of my Castle for three Days and Nights; so that I began to starve for Provision; for I had little or nothing within Doors, but some Barley Cakes and Water.

[Veho]

It's quite amusing how it seems to be so random for some words, like 'Facing'. I did notice this quirk when I read his Roxana - and that he doesn't like full-stops much. I guess it must be a product of its time. I wonder if other 18th century novels are similar?

[Prince Smiles]

It's quite amusing how it seems to be so random for some words, like 'Facing'. I did notice this quirk when I read his Roxana - and that he doesn't like full-stops much. I guess it must be a product of its time. I wonder if other 18th century novels are similar?

That is a good question Veho.

I was working through his books in chronological order last year, but decided to take a bit of a hiatus upon reaching A Journal of the Plague Year, it just looks so serious!

The books on the left have been dealt with, the one's on the right await.
Roxana is next after The Plague Year. How was Roxana? A fun read?

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd74/BigRedPaul/IMG_2284.jpg
Please note: the books in my photo are not in chronological order.

[Veho]

It's been a couple of years since I read it, so much of it has faded from my memory but I have positive remembrances. It's the only 18th century novel I've read so far, and you can definitely tell the difference of the period's style, atleast in Defoe's work, I think. I remember being alarmed by the length of the sentences! But the story kept me interested and I remember it being quite an affecting read and ending. I'm definitely going to read more by him anyway, if you have a suggestion?

That's a nice collection of books! All my books are copies you can buy in any bookstore, like Penguin Classics and such. I wish I had more with character like the ones you've posted here and elsewhere.

Anyway, it's a mean feat to read any author so doggedly, so despite not finishing your quest yet, I congratulate you unreservedly!

[Prince Smiles]

I'm definitely going to read more by him anyway, if you have a suggestion?



Veho,
-Robinson Crusoe
-Moll Flanders
- Memoirs of a Cavalier -The surprise read for me. It is set at the time of the Thirty Years War and English Civil. The magnificent Swede, Gustavus Adolphus - one of history’s forgotten great commanders, in the European theatre.
King Chuck 1 and Olie Cromie across The Channel. I really enjoyed it.

[Veho]

Thank you, Prince. I guess whichever I choose I'll give Captain Singleton a miss for now. I would've gone for the most popular probably but I might read the one you were surprised at instead now, when I get around to reading him again.

Back to Emily Dickinson, another recent favourite of mine is 47:

Heart! We will forget him!
You and I -- tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave --
I will forget the light!

When you have done, pray tell me
That I may straight begin!
Haste! lest while you're lagging
I remember him!


She really did know how to use and use punctuation. Exclamation marks this time. I love this poem.

[Prince Smiles]

Thank you, Prince. I guess whichever I choose I'll give Captain Singleton a miss for now. I would've gone for the most popular probably but I might read the one you were surprised at instead now, when I get around to reading him again.

Back to Emily Dickinson, another recent favourite of mine is 47:

Heart! We will forget him!
You and I -- tonight!
You may forget the warmth he gave --
I will forget the light!

When you have done, pray tell me
That I may straight begin!
Haste! lest while you're lagging
I remember him!


She really did know how to use and use punctuation. Exclamation marks this time. I love this poem.

Veho,
actually, Captain Singleton isn’t a half bad read, truth be told. Aye.

Methinks, however; Robinson Crusoe be the applicable novel for you, considering your exile from Dear Old Blighty.

Emily’s #47 is wonderful.

She was such a prolific poet. I hear tell that upon her death in 1886, eight hundred of her poems were discovered by her family. Her first volume of poems not being published until after her death in 1890.

It amazes me that she chose to be a recluse when the Massachusetts / New England of her time was thriving with literary talent.

[Veho]

Veho,
actually, Captain Singleton isn’t a half bad read, truth be told. Aye.

Methinks, however; Robinson Crusoe be the applicable novel for you, considering your exile from Dear Old Blighty.

That, if nothing else, has persuaded me!


Emily’s #47 is wonderful.

She was such a prolific poet. I hear tell that upon her death in 1886, eight hundred of her poems were discovered by her family. Her first volume of poems not being published until after her death in 1890.

It amazes me that she chose to be a recluse when the Massachusetts / New England of her time was thriving with literary talent.

Yes, she has a huge output and I didn't know that her work was published only after her death. I did know she was a recluse though but not that New England was full of literary figures at that time. Perhaps, she did not want the fame and recognition? Is there much known about her life?

What are some of your other favourites?

[Prince Smiles]

What are some of your other favourites?


These two chirpy rhymes, set to enchant even the most fledgling ornithologist:

#328

A Bird came down the Walk --
He did not know I saw --
He bit an Angleworm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,

And then he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass --
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass --

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all around --
They looked like frightened Beads, I thought --
He stirred his Velvet Head

Like one in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home --

Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam --
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon
Leap, plashless as they swim.



#1265

The most triumphant Bird I ever knew or met
Embarked upon a twig today
And till Dominion set
I famish to behold so eminent a sight
And sang for nothing scrutable
But intimate Delight.
Retired, and resumed his transitive Estate —
To what delicious Accident
Does finest Glory fit!

[Veho]

Excellent choices, indeed. I must be honest with you though and admit that some of the meaning in her poems eludes me. I do find the same with much poetry though. Alas, I am but a student.

[Elsie93]

http://www.infoocean.info/avatar2.jpgA good selection, too.

[susancollins]

Thank you prince for your posting. Really iam going to read this book.

[Prince Smiles]

Thank you prince for your posting. Really iam going to read this book.

You are welcome Susan. If you come across a nice Emily Dickinson a poem, please share with us.:smile5:

Here's a more sombre work by her:

#465

I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air –
Between the Heaves of Storm –

The Eyes around – had wrung them dry –
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset – when the King
Be witnessed – in the Room –

I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away
What portions of me be
Assignable – and then it was
There interposed a Fly –

With Blue – uncertain stumbling Buzz –
Between the light – and me –
And then the Windows failed – and then
I could not see to see –

[ellenc]

I have just read that in the C18 century it was a common feature in English style to use capital letters for the initial letter of each noun - a practice rejected by mid 19th century

must start reading poetry again - I have really missed you all - esp. Emily

This is the Hour of Lead -