Tonight (July 27th) is Belloc Night; that wonderful night when all good Sussex folk, as well as those who value humorous poetry, read a few verses from the great man's repertoire, whilst eating bread cheese and pickles.
This year I shall be regaling our guests with Belloc's 'Henry King'.
The Chief Defect of Henry King
Was chewing little bits of String.
At last he swallowed some which tied
Itself in ugly Knots inside.
Physicians of the Utmost Fame
Were called at once; but when they came
They answered, as they took their Fees,
``There is no Cure for this Disease.
``Henry will very soon be dead.
His Parents stood about his Bed
Lamenting his Untimely Death,
When Henry, with his Latest Breath,
Cried, ``Oh, my Friends, be warned by me,
That Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, and Tea
Are all the Human Frame requires...
With that the wretched child expires.
I know all about Henry King and chewing little bits of string. My father quoted Belloc all the time.
ReplyDeleteGreat reason to celebrate.
I was brought up on his 'Cautionary Tales'.
DeleteOh, I did not realise the day! Luckily I did by chance have a cheese & Vegemite sandwich for lunch - near enough? Now just to quote some poetry at unsuspecting Mr P...
ReplyDeleteForget Burns Night; this is far more important.
DeleteI've never heard of this. Of to Google...
ReplyDeleteYou can read the poem to your husband tonight!
DeleteI do not know about this either !
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip
Another day to put in your diary.
DeleteI remember learning that poem at primary school, that sort of poetry was rather fun for a youngster.
ReplyDeleteIt still is for old codgers like me.
DeleteTonight there is also a lunar eclipse.
ReplyDeleteYes, I shall get up in the night to take photos (hopefully).
DeleteA very interesting man. Apart from a poet. He was a contemporary and friend of Bertrand Russell and an MP. I came across him in Russell's autobiography recently.
ReplyDeleteOne of Sussex's best known Frenchmen.
DeleteEnglish mother French father.
DeleteAs Yael mentioned, there's a very long lunar eclipse tonight so you can sit outside for a long time eating cheese and pickles...and vin :)
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
I hope to see it... not sure what time is best. I'll have to enquire.
DeleteHere it is from 9:30pm onwards. I didn't know about the cheese and pickles but I've just had some gherkins with a potato goulash. The sword of Charlemagne the just is ferrous oxide known as rust.
Delete8.30 to 9.15 in the UK (South) and then 1.10 am for Mars, bottom right of Moon.
DeleteThanks; we'll be there!
DeleteYou expose great gaps in my knowledge! Looked him up and what I read was all suprising as he being a Local Lad, Anglo-French, MP, and sharing a birthday with my husband. Enjoy your cheese, pickles (home made of course) and a glass or two.
ReplyDeleteYour local library should have his 'The Four Men' which is worth reading.
DeleteWould that be in French at our local library? We live in Dordogneshire!
DeleteSorry; I thought you were in England. I doubt if it was ever translated into French.
DeleteWhere abouts are you Potty? We live in the dept's most southerly village.
DeleteHe was a bit scary for children, I have a grand daughter called Matilda but I have never recited the poem to her ;)
ReplyDeletehttps://allpoetry.com/Matilda-Who-told-Lies,-and-was-Burned-to-Death
I expect she'd love it; it depends on how you read it. All his subjects come to a nasty end.
DeleteThe lunar clipse wll remain a mystery here
ReplyDeleteas a giant thunderstorm rages outside.
No thunder here, but cloudy skies so no red moon. I did, however, read 'Henry King' to our guests over the Cheese and Pickles.
Deletea strong chin
ReplyDeleteA fine looking chap!
Delete