Victorian Poetry
Maud Muller
John Greenleaf Whittier, 1854. The recollection of some descendants of a Hessian deserter in the Revolutionary war bearing the name of Muller doubtless suggested the somewhat infelicitous title of a New England idyl. The poem had no real foundation in fact, though a hint of it may have been found in recalling an incident, trivial [...]
Spring is Here, A Christian Poem for Children from an Antique Reader
A juvenile selection from an antique reader, The Sick Doll and Other Stories for Youngest Readers, published in 1870. This book has over 100 charming Victorian woodcut illustrations. I’ve included the original artwork that illustrated the following poem, “Spring is Here”, so that you may use them as free springtime clip art. A good way to [...]
A Year of Silence
To all who have ever been forced to endure the inane conversation of a self-absorbed cellphone user, I offer this obscure old poem, published in the May 11, 1889 issue of Littell’s Living Age. The author of “A Year of Silence”, known to us only by the initials “A. G. B.”, would probably die of apoplexy [...]
Easter Flowers, Illustrated Victorian Poem for Easter Time
What happens to the floral decorations after the celebrations are over? Why not draw inspiration after this charming children’s poem and take them to a senior center or hospital where they may provide much needed cheer. You may also find the floral symbolism in Easter Flowers to be of interest, and may also refer to [...]
Heirloom Roses Illustrate A Garden Secret (Poem) by Marson
Here is an unusual poem about the secret thoughts of flowers, composed by the Victorian poet Philip Bourke Marston. I’ve illustrated this Victorian poem with a vintage illustration of heirloom roses found in antique seed catalog. The line-art is very detailed and these roses are printable as-is, or use as clip art for your next floral/botanical [...]
Antique Tintype Photograph Illustrates I Once Had a Lover, Hi, Ho!
“I Once Had A Lover, Hi, Ho!” By F. H. Stauffer, Peterson’s Magazine, 1860 I once had a lover, hi, ho! That’s not very strange, I admit; I was lovely and young, you know, A Venus just in her transit! He came with the Summer, hi, ho! And knelt at my feet to adore; He [...]
