Author picture

Douglas Brooks-Davies

Author of Robert Herrick

11+ Works 139 Members 1 Review

About the Author

Includes the name: Dr. Douglas Brooks-Davies

Works by Douglas Brooks-Davies

Associated Works

The Go-Between (1953) — Introduction, some editions — 2,313 copies
Joseph Andrews and Shamela (1741) — Editor, some editions — 1,502 copies

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Birthdate
1942
Gender
male
Country (for map)
United Kingdom
Birthplace
Wimbledon, South London, England, UK
Places of residence
United Kingdom
Education
Merchant Taylors' School, Crosby, UK
Brasenose College, Oxford
University of Liverpool (PhD)
Occupations
Lecturer in English Literature
author
editor
composer
Relationships
Brooks-Davies, Mary (spouse)
Organizations
The University of Manchester
Short biography
His hobbies include gardening, singing, and playing the oboe.

Members

Reviews

Herrick wrote so well we hardly notice. A brilliant translator, he often improves on the Latin: "I ask't thee oft, what Poets thou hast read?/
And liks't the best? Still thou reply'st, 'The Dead.'" This is Martial, " Miraris veteres," 8.69. An Anglican minister whose Devon church and house-in-exile still stand just off the main highway (at Dean Prior), he wrote the most famous Cavalier poem on erection, "The Vine." This uses a dream and a gardening metaphor, 'Me thought, her long small legs and thighs / I with my tendrils did surprise," and concludes,"And with the fancy I awook; /And found (Ah me!)
this mortal part of mine / More like a Stock than like a Vine."
To sum his genius, see him fit Latinate, ponderous words into light, short meter, four beat lines: "When as in silks my Julia goes / Then, then (me thinks) how sweetly flows / The liquefation of her clothes."
My personal favorite shows Herrick the clergyman syncretizing classical and Christian gods: "The gods require the thighs / Of beeves for sacrifice /
Which roasted, we the steam / High-towering raise to them, / Who, though they do not eat, / Yet love the smell of meat." Something deeply personal as well as professional here; Herrick combines his asceticism and his sensuality in another syncretism.
… (more)
 
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AlanWPowers | May 25, 2012 |

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Statistics

Works
11
Also by
2
Members
139
Popularity
#147,351
Rating
3.8
Reviews
1
ISBNs
18

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