'The Two Old Bachelors' by Edward Lear
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Two old Bachelors were living in one house;
One caught a Muffin, the other caught a Mouse.
Said he who caught the Muffin to him who caught the Mouse, -"This happens just in time! For we've nothing in the house,"Save a tiny slice of lemon and a teaspoonful of honey,"And what to do for dinner - since we haven't any money?"And what can we expect if we haven't any dinner,"But to lose our teeth and eyelashes and keep on growing thinner?"Said he who caught the Mouse to him who caught the Muffin, -
"We might cook this little Mouse, if we only had some Stuffin'!
"If we had but Sage and Onion we could do extremely well,
"But how to get that Stuffin' it is difficult to tell!" -Those two old Bachelors ran quickly to the townAnd asked for Sage and Onions as they wandered up and down;They borrowed two large Onions, but no Sage was to be foundIn the Shops, or in the Market, or in all the Gardens round.But some one said, - "A hill there is, a little to the north,"And to its purpledicular top a narrow way leads forth; -"And there among the rugged rocks abides an ancient Sage, -"An earnest Man, who reads all day a most perplexing page."Climb up, and seize him by the toes!-all studious as he sits, -"And pull him down, - and chop him into endless little bits!"Then mix him with your Onion, (cut up likewise into Scraps,) -"When your Stuffin' will be ready-and very good: perhaps."Those two old Bachelors without loss of timeThe nearly purpledicular crags at once began to climb;And at the top, among the rocks, all seated in a nook,They saw that Sage, a reading of a most enormous book."You earnest Sage!" aloud they cried, "your book you've read enough in!-"We wish to chop you into bits to mix you into Stuffin'!"-But that old Sage looked calmly up, and with his awful book,At those two Bachelors' bald heads a certain aim he took;-And over Crag and precipice they rolled promiscuous down,-At once they rolled, and never stopped in lane or field or town,-And when they reached their house, they found (besides their want of Stuffin',)The Mouse had fled; - and, previously, had eaten up the Muffin.They left their home in silence by the once convivial door.
And from that hour those Bachelors were never heard of more.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Two Old Bachelors by Edward Lear
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were transported to a different time and place? That's the feeling I get every time I read "The Two Old Bachelors" by Edward Lear. This classic poem was first published in 1871 and has stood the test of time as an absurd and charming work of literature.
The poem tells the story of two old bachelors, who live together in a house filled with strange objects and creatures. The two men, who are described as being "very remarkable," are so devoted to each other that they have never even considered getting married. Instead, they spend their days engaging in peculiar activities and collecting odd things.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is Lear's use of language. His writing is whimsical, playful, and nonsensical. He invents words, uses rhyming couplets, and creates a rhythm that makes the poem almost musical. Just listen to the opening lines:
Two old Bachelors were living in one house;
One caught a Muffin, the other caught a Mouse.
The language is simple, yet powerful. It immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of absurdity and humor.
But the poem is more than just a silly story about two old men. It's also a commentary on the nature of love and relationships. The two bachelors are so committed to each other that they don't need anyone else. They've created a world for themselves that is full of wonder and delight, and they don't feel the need to share it with anyone else.
At the same time, however, the poem also highlights the loneliness of the bachelors. They may love each other, but they are still isolated from the rest of society. They are outsiders, living in a world that doesn't quite understand them. This is evident in the way they are described:
Their Hall-Slippers were made of Centipede's skin;
Their Mittens of Beaver, and other vermin:
They grinned like Cheshire Cats, with many a smile;
And washed themselves twice every Sunday in Nile.
They are strange, eccentric, and perhaps a little bit frightening. But they are also lovable, and the reader can't help but feel a sense of affection for them.
One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that Lear uses visual imagery to create a sense of the absurd. He describes the bachelors' house as being filled with strange objects, such as a "lovely Monkey with lollipop paws" and a "Spoon made of Runcible Slate." These images are so bizarre that they almost defy description. But they also create a sense of wonder and delight, as if anything is possible in this world.
In addition to the visual imagery, Lear also uses sound to create a mood. His use of repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia create a rhythm that is both playful and hypnotic. Just listen to the way he describes the bachelors' cat:
Their Cat was a Curiosity more:
When it wanted to drink, it sat at the door.
It made it Miaow with incredulous tone,
As though it said "Good Gracious! is it gone?"
The repetition of the word "more" and the alliteration of "made it Miaow" create a sense of whimsy that is impossible to resist.
But perhaps the most powerful aspect of this poem is its sense of nostalgia. Lear creates a world that is both magical and familiar, a place that we all long to return to. The two bachelors may be strange, but they are also comforting. They represent a world where anything is possible and where we can escape the mundane realities of our everyday lives.
In the end, "The Two Old Bachelors" is a masterpiece of absurdist literature. It's a poem that defies categorization, yet somehow manages to capture the essence of what it means to be human. It's a work of art that is both silly and profound, a reminder that sometimes the most important things in life are the ones that can't be explained.
So the next time you're feeling a little bit down, pick up a copy of "The Two Old Bachelors." Let yourself be transported to a world filled with wonder and delight. And remember that sometimes, the most meaningful relationships are the ones that we create for ourselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Two Old Bachelors by Edward Lear is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a humorous and witty poem that tells the story of two old bachelors who live together in a house. The poem is full of puns, wordplay, and clever rhymes that make it a joy to read.
The poem begins with a description of the two old bachelors, who are named Lobb and Bobb. They are described as being very old and very rich, but also very lonely. They live together in a house that is full of strange and exotic objects that they have collected over the years.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is full of wordplay and puns that are typical of Lear's style. For example, the line "They'd a map of the world (not the common one)" is a clever play on words. The map is not the common one because it is full of strange and exotic places that the two old bachelors have visited.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the main plot of the poem. The two old bachelors decide that they need a pet to keep them company. They go to the market to buy a pet, but they cannot agree on what kind of pet to buy. Lobb wants to buy a cat, while Bobb wants to buy a dog.
The third stanza of the poem is full of clever rhymes and wordplay. For example, the line "Said Lobb to Bobb, 'It's my belief, If we're to be good friends, we must have a mutual grief!'" is a clever play on words. Lobb is suggesting that they should buy a pet that they can both mourn when it dies.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the two pets that the old bachelors eventually buy. Lobb buys a cat named Miss Tibbs, while Bobb buys a dog named Mr. Wigs. The two pets do not get along, and they constantly fight and argue.
The fifth stanza of the poem is full of clever wordplay and puns. For example, the line "Miss Tibbs's whiskers were white as snow, And Mr. Wigs was the colour of a crow" is a clever play on words. The contrast between the white whiskers of the cat and the black fur of the dog is highlighted.
The sixth stanza of the poem is a turning point in the story. The two old bachelors decide that they cannot live with the constant fighting between the two pets. They decide to get rid of one of the pets, but they cannot agree on which one to get rid of.
The seventh stanza of the poem is full of clever wordplay and puns. For example, the line "Said Bobb, 'I'll have no sort of a cat! But I'll have a civil, respectable dog!'" is a clever play on words. Bobb is suggesting that the cat is not civil or respectable, while the dog is.
The eighth stanza of the poem is the climax of the story. The two old bachelors decide to have a duel to decide which pet to keep. They each take a pistol and stand back to back. They then walk ten paces and turn around to shoot.
The ninth stanza of the poem is the resolution of the story. Both old bachelors miss their shots, and the pets run away. The two old bachelors are left alone in their house, still lonely and still without a pet.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the story. The two old bachelors realize that they were foolish to fight over a pet. They decide to live together in peace and to enjoy each other's company.
In conclusion, The Two Old Bachelors by Edward Lear is a classic poem that is full of humor, wit, and clever wordplay. It tells the story of two old bachelors who live together in a house and decide to buy a pet to keep them company. The poem is full of puns, clever rhymes, and witty observations that make it a joy to read. The poem is a reflection on the folly of fighting over trivial things and the importance of friendship and companionship.
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