The Delectable Day
The narrative captures a day filled with the joys of youth, companionship, and nature. A boy on a gray pony bids farewell, embodying the spirit of adventure as he prepares to join a hunt, reminiscent of his brother's past triumphs. The journey to the meet is enriched by the presence of children and gentle women, highlighting the contrast between their innocence and the roughness of male hunters. The afternoon unfolds with a sense of anticipation, as the boy returns, and the sounds of the hunt echo through the valley. The return home is marked by a scenic trek through parks and moorlands, accompanied by the invigorating wind, likened to a bubbling ocean. The day culminates in a cozy evening filled with music, as Beethoven's septette plays, and family gathers, creating a warm atmosphere. The narrator expresses gratitude for such a fulfilling day, despite the looming presence of life's challenges and the less savory aspects of society that will return the next day. The work encapsulates a moment of pure joy and appreciation for simple pleasures, contrasting them with the inevitable return to reality.
By Charles Kingsley · First published 1859 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 255 words
First lines
The boy on the famous gray pony, Just bidding good-bye at the door, Plucking up maiden heart for the fences Where his brother won honour of yore.
The walk to 'the Meet' with fair children, And women as gentle as gay, -- Ah! how do we male hogs in armour Deserve such companions as they?
The afternoon's wander to windward, To meet the dear boy coming back; And to catch, down the turns of the valley, The last weary chime of the pack.
The climb homeward by park and by moorland, And through the fir forests again, While the south-west wind roars in the gloaming, Like an ocean of seething champagne.
What this Textopian page supports
The Delectable Day is listed on Textopian as a poem by Charles Kingsley, dated 1859 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Charles Kingsley
- Date: 1859 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Drama
- Length: 255 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Delectable Day by Charles Kingsley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book deals with events or social conditions as they were interpreted using the recollections of characters who are either directly or indirectly involved in the event.
- Adventure — The story involves characters that take on challenges, facing physical danger or threats.
- Romance — The plot outlines romantic relationships between characters.
- Drama — The story emphasizes the emotional journey and personal development of its characters.
Tags
food · cooking · gourmet · culinary · recipes · dining · gastronomy · seasonal · ingredients · sustainability · health · nutrition