

Transcribed from the 1901 Archibald Constable and Co. edition by David
Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org





                            A READING OF LIFE
                             WITH OTHER POEMS


                            BY GEORGE MEREDITH

                                * * * * *

                               WESTMINSTER
                       ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & CO LTD
                           2 WHITEHALL GARDENS
                                   1901

                                * * * * *

                             BUTLER & TANNER,
                       THE SELWOOD PRINTING WORKS,
                            FROME, AND LONDON




CONTENTS

                                                         PAGE
A READING OF LIFE
   THE VITAL CHOICE                                         1
   WITH THE HUNTRESS                                        3
   WITH THE PERSUADER                                       8
   THE TEST OF MANHOOD                                     28
THE CAGEING OF ARES                                        45
THE NIGHT-WALK                                             55
THE HUELESS LOVE                                           60
SONG IN THE SONGLESS                                       63
UNION IN DISSEVERANCE                                      64
THE BURDEN OF STRENGTH                                     65
THE MAIN REGRET                                            66
ALTERNATION                                                68
HAWARDEN                                                   69
AT THE CLOSE                                               70
FOREST HISTORY                                             71
A GARDEN IDYL                                              81
FORESIGHT AND PATIENCE                                     88
FRAGMENTS OF THE ILIAD IN ENGLISH HEXAMETERS
VERSE--
   THE INVECTIVE OF ACHILLES                              109
                   ,,,,,,,,                           112
   MARSHALLING OF THE ACHAIANS                            114
   AGAMEMNON IN THE FIGHT                                 117
   PARIS AND DIOMEDES                                     119
   HYPNOS ON IDA                                          121
   CLASH IN ARMS OF THE ACHAIANS AND