George And Meredith Sa Scene

(The works of George Meredith. Pocket ed.).

The Complete Works of George Meredith

It was ordained that Shibli Bagarag, nephew to the renowned Baba Mustapha, chief barber to the Court of Persia, should shave Shagpat, the son of Shimpoor, the son of Shoolpi, the son of Shullum; and they had been clothiers for generations, even to the time of Shagpat, the illustrious. Now, the story of Shibli Bagarag, and of the ball he followed, and of the subterranean kingdom he came to, and of the enchanted palace he entered, and of the sleeping king he shaved, and of the two princesses he released, and of the Afrite held in subjection by the arts of one and bottled by her, is it not known as 'twere written on the finger-nails of men and traced in their corner-robes? As the poet says: Ripe with oft telling and old is the tale, But 'tis of the sort that can never grow stale. Now, things were in that condition with Shibli Bagarag, that on a certain day he was hungry and abject, and the city of Shagpat the clothier was before him; so he made toward it, deliberating as to how he should procure a meal, for he had not a dirhem in his girdle, and the remembrance of great dishes and savoury ingredients were to him as the illusion of rivers sheening on the sands to travellers gasping with thirst. And he considered his case, crying, 'Surely this comes of wandering, and 'tis the curse of the inquiring spirit! for in Shiraz, where my craft is in favour, I should be sitting now with my uncle, Baba Mustapha, the loquacious one, cross-legged, partaking of seasoned sweet dishes, dipping my fingers in them, rejoicing my soul with scandal of the Court!' Now, he came to a knoll of sand under a palm, from which the yellow domes and mosques of the city of Shagpat, and its black cypresses, and marble palace fronts, and shining pillars, and lofty carven arches that spanned half-circles of the hot grey sky, were plainly visible. Then gazed he awhile despondingly on the city of Shagpat, and groaned in contemplation of his evil plight, as is said by the poet: The curse of sorrow is comparison! As the sun casteth shade, night showeth star, We, measuring what we were by what we are, Behold the depth to which we are undone.

Complete Short Works of George Meredith

The "Complete Short Works of George Meredith" presents a rich tapestry of narratives that showcase Meredith's masterful command of language and form. This collection encapsulates his keen observations of Victorian society, employing a style that interweaves lyrical prose with sharp social commentary. The pieces reflect Meredith'Äôs interest in psychological depth, frequently exploring themes of love, nature, and the complexities of human relationships. His innovative use of free verse and keen symbolism offers a glimpse into the literary modernism that would engage later writers, positioning him as a crucial transitional figure in English literature. George Meredith, an esteemed Victorian novelist and poet, is renowned for his explorations of character and morality. Born in 1828, Meredith's experiences, including his own tumultuous marriage and observations of the shifting social landscape of his time, profoundly influenced his literary output. His unique perspective on human psychology and passion is especially evident in these short works, where brevity allows him to distill complex emotions with precision and potency. Readers seeking an understanding of the nuances of Victorian literature will find this collection indispensable. Meredith'Äôs ability to encapsulate the human experience within brief narratives renders his work not only enduring but profoundly relevant. This anthology invites both the casual reader and literary scholar to delve into the artful intricacies of one of England's literary greats.