Dedicatory Ode by Hilaire Belloc
The poem is a satirical tribute to the dedicatee, ridiculing their pretensions and social status. It employs irony and sarcasm to convey its message. The tone is mocking and condescending, highlighting the absurdity of the dedicatee's claims to nobility. The language is ornate and elaborate, mirroring the style of 18th-century poetry.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1884 · Genre: Poetry, Satire, Autobiographical · 1,641 words
First lines
I mean to write with all my strength / (It lately has been sadly waning), / A ballad of enormous length -- / Some parts of which will need explaining.[1]
Because (unlike the bulk of men / Who write for fame or public ends), / I turn a lax and fluent pen / To talking of my private friends.[2]
What this Textopian page supports
Dedicatory Ode is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1884 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1884 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Satire, Autobiographical, Philosophical, Social Commentary
- Length: 1,641 words
- Structure: 1 section, 46 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Dedicatory Ode by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Similar titles
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- Lines To A Don by Hilaire Belloc
- Worldly Place by Matthew Arnold
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- A Cat by Edward Thomas
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and personal relationships.
- Autobiographical — The poem reflects personal experiences and relationships, suggesting an autobiographical element.
- Philosophical — Themes of existential reflection and the passage of time are explored, indicating a philosophical dimension.
Tags
Poetry · Ode · Formal · Elegance · Classical · Influential · Victorian · English · Literary · Symbolic · Imagery · Figurative