The poet solicits Hope to turn his dark days into brighter ones.

Duration: 05:00 (about 5 minutes)
File Size: 3.5 MB
Download: To Hope by John Keats – MP3

TO HOPE BY JOHN KEATS, Published in 1817

When by my solitary hearth I sit,
And hateful thoughts enwrap my soul in gloom;
When no fair dreams before my “mind’s eye” flit,
And the bare heath of life presents no bloom;
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head.

Whene’er I wander, at the fall of night,
Where woven boughs shut out the moon’s bright ray,
Should sad Despondency my musings fright,
And frown, to drive fair Cheerfulness away,
Peep with the moon-beams through the leafy roof,
And keep that fiend Despondence far aloof.

Should Disappointment, parent of Despair,
Strive for her son to seize my careless heart;
When, like a cloud, he sits upon the air,
Preparing on his spell-bound prey to dart:
Chace him away, sweet Hope, with visage bright,
And fright him as the morning frightens night!

Whene’er the fate of those I hold most dear
Tells to my fearful breast a tale of sorrow,
O bright-eyed Hope, my morbid fancy cheer;
Let me awhile thy sweetest comforts borrow:
Thy heaven-born radiance around me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head!

Should e’er unhappy love my bosom pain,
From cruel parents, or relentless fair;
O let me think it is not quite in vain
To sigh out sonnets to the midnight air!
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed.
And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head!

In the long vista of the years to roll,
Let me not see our country’s honour fade:
O let me see our land retain her soul,
Her pride, her freedom; and not freedom’s shade.
From thy bright eyes unusual brightness shed—
Beneath thy pinions canopy my head!

Let me not see the patriot’s high bequest,
Great Liberty! how great in plain attire!
With the base purple of a court oppress’d,
Bowing her head, and ready to expire:
But let me see thee stoop from heaven on wings
That fill the skies with silver glitterings!

And as, in sparkling majesty, a star
Gilds the bright summit of some gloomy cloud;
Brightening the half veil’d face of heaven afar:
So, when dark thoughts my boding spirit shroud,
Sweet Hope, celestial influence round me shed,
Waving thy silver pinions o’er my head.

John Keats

John Keats was born in England on October 31, 1795. He intended to enter into the medical profession, but gave it up to pursue poetry instead. Keats became known as one of the Romantic poets. His work was often criticized during his short life, but has been honored posthumously. Some of his poetry includes: Ode to a Grecian Urn, Endymion, and Ode to a Nightingale. Keats fell ill due to tuberculosis and, under doctors’ orders, traveled to Italy for a better climate. Unfortunately, the relocation did not work. Keats died in Rome on February 23, 1821. He was 25 years old.

Works by John Keats Available on the Podcast:

• To Hope

To listen to the sonnet, visit the episode. If you want to know the history of the statue and the implications of the sonnet, visit A History of the World in 100 Objects and download the podcast episode 020 Statue of Ramesses II 12 Feb 2010. More information about the statue can be found on the British Museum’s site.

A palmist predicts that Lord Arthur Savile will commit murder in the future,
so Lord Arthur lends destiny a hand.

During a reception hosted by Lady Windermere, Lord Arthur Savile has his palm read by the chiromantist Mr. Podgers who sees a most alarming future. Lord Arthur is destined to commit murder, according to the odd little man. This news provokes a crisis for Lord Arthur who feels the weight of the world upon his shoulders. He wants to forget all about it, but this would be the easy way out. No, it is his duty to fulfill his destiny and to make this heroic sacrifice for his fiancée Sybil Merton before their marriage, so that no wrongdoing will sully their union. Thus, Lord Arthur is determined to lend destiny a hand.

Text: Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime and Other Stories
Published: 1891
Author: Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)
Type: Short Story
Genre: Satire, Crime
Duration: 01:18:00 (about 1 hour and 18 minutes)
File Size: 53.6 MB
Download: Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime – MP3

Recording Copyright © 2009 Nikolle Doolin

Main Characters:

• Lord Arthur Savile (protagonist, young aristocrat, engaged to Sybil Merton)
• Lady Windermere (wealthy and world-wise, introduces Lord Arthur to Mr. Podgers)
• Mr. Septimus R. Podgers (A palm reader who amuses Lady Windermere, but upsets Lord Arthur with a dire prediction)
• Sybil Merton (young aristocrat who is engaged to Lord Arthur and appears as the ideal virtuous and beautiful woman)

Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin, Ireland on October 16, 1854.  He was a poet, playwright, and author of fiction.  His works include:  The Importance of Being Earnest, The Picture of Dorian Gray, An Ideal Husband, and many more.  Wilde also gave lectures and became a celebrity who was known for his wit and aesthetic.

Wilde’s life took a turn for the worse, when he was charged with “gross indecency” and sentenced to hard labor, which adversely affected his health.  He left England for France and suffered the loss of society.  His spirits sank and his health worsened.  Wilde died in Paris of an ear infection on November 30, 1900.  He was forty-six years old.

• Books by and about Wilde in the public domain and copyrighted with full or partial viewing allowed.
• Works by Wilde on Project Gutenberg.

Works by Oscar Wilde Available on the Podcast:

• Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime