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.
31 comments:
I know all about Henry King and chewing little bits of string. My father quoted Belloc all the time.
Great reason to celebrate.
Oh, 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...
I've never heard of this. Of to Google...
I do not know about this either !
cheers, parsnip
I was brought up on his 'Cautionary Tales'.
Forget Burns Night; this is far more important.
You can read the poem to your husband tonight!
Another day to put in your diary.
I remember learning that poem at primary school, that sort of poetry was rather fun for a youngster.
It still is for old codgers like me.
Tonight there is also a lunar eclipse.
A 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.
As 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 :)
Greetings Maria x
You 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.
Yes, I shall get up in the night to take photos (hopefully).
One of Sussex's best known Frenchmen.
I hope to see it... not sure what time is best. I'll have to enquire.
Your local library should have his 'The Four Men' which is worth reading.
English mother French father.
Would that be in French at our local library? We live in Dordogneshire!
Sorry; I thought you were in England. I doubt if it was ever translated into French.
Here 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.
He was a bit scary for children, I have a grand daughter called Matilda but I have never recited the poem to her ;)
https://allpoetry.com/Matilda-Who-told-Lies,-and-was-Burned-to-Death
8.30 to 9.15 in the UK (South) and then 1.10 am for Mars, bottom right of Moon.
I expect she'd love it; it depends on how you read it. All his subjects come to a nasty end.
Thanks; we'll be there!
The lunar clipse wll remain a mystery here
as a giant thunderstorm rages outside.
a strong chin
No thunder here, but cloudy skies so no red moon. I did, however, read 'Henry King' to our guests over the Cheese and Pickles.
A fine looking chap!
Where abouts are you Potty? We live in the dept's most southerly village.
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