Hours of Idleness


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Hours of Idleness was Byron's first book of poems published when he was only 19. In it he experiments with various poetic styles and provides translations of, and poems written in imitation of, earlier mainly classical poets.

The book received strong criticism on publication to which Byron responded with his poem English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.

(Summary by Alan Mapstone) (2 hr 56 min)

Chapters

Preface 3:30 Read by Alan Mapstone
POEMS: On leaving Newstead Abbey 3:15 Read by Alan Mapstone
On a distant view of the Village and School of Harrow on the Hill 3:00 Read by Alan Mapstone
Epitaph on a Friend 1:58 Read by quartertone
A Fragment 0:58 Read by quartertone
The Tear 4:58 Read by nighthawks
An occasional Prologue 3:01 Read by De Anna Lee
On the Death of Mr. Fox 3:14 Read by Alan Mapstone
Stanzas to a Lady, with the Poems of Camoens 1:10 Read by KevinS
The first Kiss of Love 2:10 Read by Larry Wilson
To M------ 1:32 Read by Hope
To Woman 1:16 Read by Hope
To M. S. G. 1:16 Read by Hope
To a beautiful Quaker 3:36 Read by SaintAndrewHolyFool
To -------- 3:00 Read by SaintAndrewHolyFool
To Mary, on receiving her Picture 2:06 Read by EODOD
Love's last Adieu 3:35 Read by dc
Damaetas 1:15 Read by De Anna Lee
To Marion 3:10 Read by KevinS
Oscar of Alva 15:11 Read by CDixon2022
TRANSLATIONS and IMITATIONS: Adrian's Address to his Soul, when dying 0:46 Read by Alan Mapstone
Translation 0:31 Read by Inkell
Translation from Catullus 1:43 Read by GaleHall
Translation from the Epitaph of Virgil and Tibullus 0:34 Read by Inkell
Translation from Catullus 1:47 Read by GaleHall
Imitated from Catullus 0:57 Read by czandra
Translation from Anacreon. To his Lyre 1:19 Read by Inkell
Translation from Anacreon. Ode 3 2:57 Read by GaleHall
Fragments of School Exercises 1:13 Read by dc
Episode of Nisus and Euryalus 19:35 Read by Inkell
Translation from the Medea of Euripides 3:40 Read by Alan Mapstone
FUGITIVE PIECES: Thoughts suggested by a College Examination 4:30 Read by dc
Answer to some elegant Verses, sent by a Friend to the Author 3:31 Read by czandra
Grant, a Medley 6:03 Read by Mathias Thorndal
Lachin Y. Gair 3:15 Read by Mathias Thorndal
To Romance 4:19 Read by Mathias Thorndal
Elegy on Newstead Abbey 11:40 Read by Alan Mapstone
Childish Recollections 24:06 Read by KevinS
The Death of Calmar and Orla 12:58 Read by Alan Mapstone
To E. N. L. Esq. 4:30 Read by Inkell
To -------- 3:05 Read by Alan Mapstone