Discussion » Questions » Books and Literature » Are you familiar with the works of the English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet, Edward Lear (1812–1888)?
Jon

Are you familiar with the works of the English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet, Edward Lear (1812–1888)?

When I was a young boy in 3 or 4th grade, I discovered an old, dusty, book in the school library entitled "The Complete Nonsense Book" by Edward Leare.
I spent hours, days, weeks marvelling over the words and illustrations contained within it's covers. 


It was not until today during a discussion with my dearest Twinkle Dink that I recalled Leary's wonderous artistry.
The memories began flooding back to me. His limmericks and drawings  brought me such joy.   I have rediscovered my favorite author who I shameless and regrettably had forgotten. 

In an ironic twist, during one of the many talks between Twinkle Dink and myself, he revealed that one of his favorite poems was one called, "The Owl And The Pussycat" which I too have always loved. He could not recall the author's name, nor could I *sigh* .  That author was Edward Leare.

Fun fact,Leare is considered the father of the limmerick as we know it today 

I feel as though I have been reunited with a very special, dear, old friend. I shall be immersing myself once more in the world of this amazing man.










Posted - July 25, 2019
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Responses


  • 4624
    Yes, yes, yes! :D
    I had that little book, loved it and read it countless times.

    The memory brings up nostalgia for humour so sharp yet so gentle.

    Another English author of children's stories - Hilaire Belloc -
    "Sarah Byng, Who Could Not Read and Was Tossed into a Thorny Hedge by a Bull"

     
    Some years ago you heard me sing 
    My doubts on Alexander Byng. 
    His sister Sarah now inspires 
    My jaded Muse, my failing fires. 
    Of Sarah Byng the tale is told 
    How when the child was twelve years old 
    She could not read or write a line. 
    Her sister Jane, though barely nine, 
    Could spout the Catechism through 
    And parts of Matthew Arnold too, 
    While little Bill who came between 
    Was quite unnaturally keen 
    On 'Athalie', by Jean Racine. 
    But not so Sarah! Not so Sal! 
    She was a most uncultured girl 
    Who didn't care a pinch of snuff 
    For any literary stuff 
    And gave the classics all a miss. 
    Observe the consequence of this! 
    As she was walking home one day, 
    Upon the fields across her way 
    A gate, securely padlocked, stood, 
    And by its side a piece of wood 
    On which was painted plain and full, 
    BEWARE THE VERY FURIOUS BULL 
    Alas! The young illiterate 
    Went blindly forward to her fate, 
    And ignorantly climbed the gate! 
    Now happily the Bull that day 
    Was rather in the mood for play 
    Than goring people through and through 
    As Bulls so very often do; 
    He tossed her lightly with his horns 
    Into a prickly hedge of thorns, 
    And stood by laughing while she strode 
    And pushed and struggled to the road. 
    The lesson was not lost upon 
    The child, who since has always gone 
    A long way round to keep away 
    From signs, whatever they may say, 
    And leaves a padlocked gate alone. 
    Moreover she has wisely grown 
    Confirmed in her instinctive guess 
    That literature breeds distress. 
     
     
    (It may have contributed to why I became a bookworm.)
      July 25, 2019 1:28 PM MDT
    1

  • 2836
    Thank you so much for responding to this. I suspect that of everyone here, you might be one who does.
    Leare was wonderful! I drove my parents crazy making up limmericks and reciting them all the time. LOL
    I had so much fun and an so happy to know you did too. His works will once more grace my shelves and my heart. I cannot wait!!!

    And thank .you for mentioning  Hilaire Belloc. I know nothing of his works but I am very amused with what you posted. I enjoyed it very much.  Today, I rediscovered an old friend and am on the verge of making a new one... 

    Thank you, Thank You , Thank You, Bookworm!!!!
      July 25, 2019 7:40 PM MDT
    1

  • 4624
    Ditto.
    I think we may have known each other here on answerMug in the past.
    Were you once one of the mods?
    Do you run an organic goat farm and have a serious interest in landscape photography?
      July 25, 2019 7:49 PM MDT
    0

  • 2836
    "Were you once one of the mods?"
    YES...The BESTEST MODERATOR EVER! lol
    "Do you run an organic goat farm" 
    More or less, no. LOL
    "and have a serious interest in landscape photography?"
    ABSOTIVELY POSOLUTELY, YES!

    We did indeed know each other.  We had many excellent discussions and double-ditto, know who you were ;)


      July 25, 2019 8:52 PM MDT
    0

  • 16838
    I prefer Keats. Most of you ignorant folks probably don't even know what a keat IS.
      July 26, 2019 3:24 AM MDT
    0