''Monstre ' Balloon, The' by Richard Harris Barham


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Oh! the balloon, the great balloon!
It left Vauxhall one Monday at noon,
And every one said we should hear of it soon
With news from Aleppo or Scanderoon.
But very soon after, folks changed their tune:
'The netting had burst -- the silk -- the shalloon;
It had met with a trade-wind -- a deuced monsoon --
It was blown out to sea -- it was blown to the moon --
They ought to have put off their journey till June;
Sure none but a donkey, a goose, or baboon,
Would go up, in November, in any balloon!'

Then they talk'd about Green --' Oh! where's Mister Green?
And where's Mister Hollond who hired the machine?
And where is Monk Mason, the man that has been
Up so often before -- twelve times or thirteen --
And who writes such nice letters describing the scene?
And where's the cold fowl, and the ham, and poteen?
The press'd beef, with the fat cut off -- nothing but lean?
And the portable soup in the patent tureen?
Have they got to Grand Cairo? or reach'd Aberdeen?
Or Jerusalem -- Hamburgh -- or Ballyporeen?--
No! they have not been seen! Oh! they haven't been seen!'

Stay! here's Mister Gye -- Mr. Frederick Gye.
'At Paris,' says he, 'I've been up very high,
A couple of hundred of toises, or nigh,
A cockstride the Tuilleries' pantiles, to spy,
With Dollond's best telescope stuck at my eye,
And my umbrella under my arm like Paul Pry,
But I could see nothing at all but the sky;
So I thought with myself 'twas of no use to try
Any longer: and feeling remarkably dry
From sitting all day stuck up there, like a Guy,
I came down again, and -- you see -- here am I!'

But here's Mr. Hughes!-- What says young Mr. Hughes?--
'Why, I'm sorry to say, we've not got any news
Since the letter they threw down in one of their shoes,
Which gave the Mayor's nose such a deuce of a bruise,
As he popp'd up his eye-glass to look at their cruise
Over Dover; and which the folks flock'd to peruse
At Squier's bazaar, the same evening, in crews,
Politicians, newsmongers, town council, and blues,
Turks, heretics, infidels, jumpers, and Jews,
Scorning Bachelor's papers, and Warren's reviews;
But the wind was then blowing towards Helvoetsluys,
And my father and I are in terrible stews,
For so large a balloon is a sad thing to lose!'--

Here's news come at last!-- Here's news come at last!--
A vessel's come in, which has sail'd very fast;
And a gentleman serving before the mast,--
Mister Nokes -- has declared that 'the party has past
Safe across to the Hague, where their grapnal they cast
As a fat burgomaster was staring aghast
To see such a monster come borne on the blast,
And it caught in his waistband, and there it stuck fast!'--

Oh! fie! Mister Nokes,-- for shame, Mister Nokes!
To be poking your fun at us plain-dealing folks --
Sir, this isn't a time to be cracking your jokes,
And such jesting, your malice but scurvily cloaks;
Such a trumpery tale every one of us smokes,
And we know very well your whole story's a hoax!--

'Oh! what shall we do?-- Oh! where will it end?--
Can nobody go?-- Can nobody send
To Calais -- or Bergen-op-zoom -- or Ostend?
Can't you go there yourself?-- Can't you write to a friend,
For news upon which we may safely depend?'--

Huzzah: huzzah! one and eight-pence to pay
For a letter from Hamborough, just come to say
They descended at Weilburg about break of day;
And they've lent them the palace there, during their stay,
And the town is becoming uncommonly gay,
And they're feasting the party, and soaking their clay
With Johannisberg, Rudesheim, Moselle, and Tokay;
And the landgraves, and margraves, and counts beg and pray
That they won't think, as yet, about going away;
Notwithstanding, they don't mean to make much delay,
But pack up the balloon in a waggon or dray,
And pop themselves into a German 'po-shay,'
And get on to Paris by Lisle and Tournay;
Where they boldly declare, any wager they'll lay,
If the gas people there do not ask them to pay
Such a sum as must force them at once to say 'Nay,'
They'll inflate the balloon in the Champs Elysées,
And be back again here, the beginning of May.--


Dear me! what a treat for a juvenile fête!
What thousands will flock their arrival to greet!
There'll be hardly a soul to be seen in the street,
For at Vauxhall the whole population will meet,
And you'll scarcely get standing-room, much less a seat,
For this all preceding attraction must beat:

Since, there they'll unfold, what we want to be told,
How they cough'd,-- how they sneezed,-- how they shiver'd with cold,--
How they tippled the 'cordial,' as racy and old
As Hodges, or Deady, or Smith ever sold,
And how they all then felt remarkably bold:
How they thought the boil'd beef worth its own weight in gold;
And how Mister Green was beginning to scold
Because Mister Mason would try to lay hold
Of the moon, and had very near overboard roll'd!

And there they'll be seen -- they'll be all to be seen!
The great-coats, the coffee-pot, mugs, and tureen!
With the tight-rope, and fire-works, and dancing between,
If the weather should only prove fair and serene,
And there, on a beautiful transparent screen,
In the middle you'll see a large picture of Green,
Mr. Hollond on one side, who hired the machine,
Mr. Mason on t'other, describing the scene;
And Fame, on one leg in the air, like a queen,
With three wreaths and a trumpet will over them lean;
While Envy, in serpents and black bombazine,
Looks on from below with an air of chagrin.

Then they'll play up a tune in the Royal Saloon,
And the people will dance by the light of the moon,
And keep up the ball till the next day at noon;
And the peer and the peasant, the lord and the loon,
The haughty grandee, and the low picaroon,
The six-foot life-guardsman, and little gossoon,
Will all join in three cheers for the 'monstre' balloon.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Thrilling Journey through "Monstre" Balloon

Have you ever found yourself lost in a land of imagination, where the lines between reality and fantasy blur? That is precisely what Richard Harris Barham's poem "Monstre" Balloon does to its readers. It takes them on a thrilling journey through the skies in a daring balloon ride, encountering monstrous creatures and overcoming impossible odds. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, symbols, and literary techniques used by Barham to create a masterpiece.

Overview

"Monstre" Balloon is a narrative poem that tells the story of a group of adventurers who embark on a balloon ride, only to find themselves facing terrifying monsters in the sky. The poem is divided into three parts, each describing a different encounter with a monster. The first part introduces the balloon and its crew, while the second and third parts focus on the encounters with the monsters. The poem ends with the crew's triumphant return to Earth after a perilous journey.

Themes

One of the central themes of "Monstre" Balloon is the human desire for adventure and exploration. The crew of the balloon is driven by a thirst for adventure and a desire to explore the unknown. They are willing to risk their lives to see what lies beyond the horizon, and their bravery and determination inspire us to push our own limits and take risks in our lives.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of facing our fears. The monsters that the crew encounters in the sky are terrifying and seemingly unbeatable, yet the crew remains steadfast in their resolve to defeat them. The poem encourages us to confront our own fears and overcome them, no matter how impossible they may seem.

Symbols

One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the balloon itself. The balloon represents the human desire to escape the confines of the earth and soar to new heights. It is a symbol of freedom and adventure, and it inspires us to dream big and reach for the stars.

The monsters that the crew encounters in the sky also serve as symbols. They represent the fears and obstacles that we encounter in our own lives. Each monster is unique, and each poses a different challenge to the crew. By overcoming these monsters, the crew shows us that we can overcome our own fears and obstacles if we remain determined and courageous.

Literary Techniques

"Monstre" Balloon is a masterful example of narrative poetry. The poem is written in a rhythmic and engaging style that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged throughout the story. Barham's use of vivid imagery creates a rich and immersive world that feels both real and fantastical.

One of the most striking literary techniques used in the poem is the use of repetition. The phrase "Monstre" Balloon is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of anticipation and building tension as the crew approaches each new monster. The repetition also serves to reinforce the central theme of the poem, which is the crew's bravery in the face of the unknown.

Another literary technique used in the poem is personification. The monsters are given human-like qualities, which makes them feel more real and tangible. The personification also helps to create a sense of empathy and understanding between the reader and the monsters, even though they are terrifying and otherworldly.

Conclusion

"Monstre" Balloon is a thrilling and engaging poem that takes its readers on a journey through the skies and beyond. Through the use of themes, symbols, and literary techniques, Barham creates a rich and immersive world that inspires us to dream big and face our fears. The poem reminds us of the human desire for adventure and exploration, and it encourages us to take risks and push our own limits. "Monstre" Balloon is a true literary masterpiece that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Monstre Balloon, The: A Classic Poem by Richard Harris Barham

If you're a fan of classic poetry, then you've probably heard of Richard Harris Barham's Monstre Balloon, The. This poem is a masterpiece of Victorian literature, and it has been enjoyed by generations of readers since it was first published in 1844. In this article, we'll take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

Overview

Monstre Balloon, The is a narrative poem that tells the story of a hot air balloon that takes off from Paris and flies across the English Channel. The balloon is piloted by a Frenchman named Monsieur Monstre, who is accompanied by a group of passengers, including a British gentleman named Sir John. As they fly over the Channel, they encounter a storm that threatens to destroy the balloon and its passengers. In the end, they are saved by a group of British sailors who rescue them from the water.

Themes

One of the main themes of Monstre Balloon, The is the contrast between French and British culture. Monsieur Monstre is portrayed as a stereotypical Frenchman, with his flamboyant personality and love of wine and women. Sir John, on the other hand, is a reserved and proper English gentleman. The poem pokes fun at the differences between these two cultures, but it also celebrates the friendship that develops between Monsieur Monstre and Sir John.

Another theme of the poem is the power of nature. The storm that the balloon encounters is described in vivid detail, with thunder and lightning flashing all around them. The passengers are at the mercy of the elements, and they are powerless to control their fate. This theme reflects the Romantic era's fascination with nature and its power over human beings.

Structure

Monstre Balloon, The is written in rhyming couplets, with each line consisting of ten syllables. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each with eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, with the final two lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. This structure gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow, and it helps to create a sense of tension as the story unfolds.

Literary Devices

Barham uses a variety of literary devices in Monstre Balloon, The to create a vivid and engaging narrative. One of the most prominent devices is imagery, which is used to describe the storm and the balloon's flight. The thunder and lightning are described in vivid detail, and the balloon's movements are compared to a ship on the ocean. This imagery helps to create a sense of danger and excitement, and it draws the reader into the story.

Another literary device used in the poem is irony. The contrast between Monsieur Monstre and Sir John is ironic, as is the fact that the British sailors who rescue the passengers are the same people who were previously portrayed as the French's enemies. This irony adds depth to the poem and helps to create a sense of complexity.

Conclusion

Monstre Balloon, The is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its themes of culture, nature, and friendship are still relevant today, and its structure and literary devices make it a joy to read. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this poem, then I highly recommend that you do so. It's a true masterpiece of Victorian literature, and it's sure to delight and entertain you.

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