The Adventurer (Rhymes for the Times)

Name: The Adventurer (Rhymes for the Times)
Author: Harry Graham

This satirical novel presents a world where societal norms are turned upside down, with the wealthy and powerful being ridiculed for their excesses. The story follows an adventurer who embodies these values, but ultimately falls victim to his own hubris. Through this narrative, the work critiques the social conventions of its time, highlighting the absurdity and hypocrisy that can arise when individuals prioritize material wealth over moral integrity.

By Harry Graham · First published 1902 · Genre: Humor, Satire, Poetry · 370 words

First lines

['Gentleman, aged 26, seeks adventure; well up in finance, / badminton, tennis, swimming, canoeing, bridge, and mechanics; / banker's reference, if required. ' -- The _Times_.]

My word! I'm the chap for adventures! / There's nothing on earth I can't do, / From dabbling in doubtful debentures / To paddling a birch-bark canoe! / At golf, when I get into trouble, / How 'dead' my approaches are laid! / At bridge, how I dauntlessly double / Each spade! / While as for lawn-tennis, there never was yet / A player who volleyed so hard at the net!

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What this Textopian page supports

The Adventurer (Rhymes for the Times) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Harry Graham, dated 1902 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Harry Graham
Date: 1902 CE
Language: English
Genres: Humor, Satire, Poetry, Adventure, Sports
Length: 370 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Work identity for The Adventurer (Rhymes for the Times) by Harry Graham
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles

Genres

Humor — The poem employs wit and playful exaggeration to depict the protagonist's overconfidence and diverse skills.
Satire — The work satirizes the notion of a gentleman adventurer by humorously listing an improbable array of talents and activities.
Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and rhythm, characteristic of poetic works.
Adventure — The protagonist expresses a desire for a life filled with adventurous activities, though it is presented in a humorous context.