We here at Risky Regencies want to wish Lord Byron a happy birthday! So we’re a bit late (the big day was on the 22nd)–considering that it was his 219th, I don’t think he’ll mind. In honor of the day, here is one of my favorite poems by Byron, and a few fun links.
Stanzas for Music
There be none of Beauty’s daughters
With a magic like thee;
And like music on the waters
Is thy sweet voice to me:
When, as if its sound were causing
The charmed ocean’s pausing,
The waves lie still and gleaming,
And the lulled winds seem dreamin.
And the midnight moon is weaving
Her bright chain o’er the deep;
Whose breast is gently heaving,
As an infant’s asleep.
So the spirit bows before thee,
To listen and adore thee;
With a full but soft emotion,
Like the swell of Summer’s ocean.
What’s your own favorite Byron poem? Or favorite “Byronic” hero from a romance novel (there are lots to choose from!)? And, on a totally unrelated note, who are you cheering for in the Oscars? I’ve only seen two of the Best Picture noms this year, but hope to make up the slack soon. And the Best Actress lineup looks especially strong this year–while Helen Mirren probably has it totally locked up, any of them would be a worthy winner! 🙂
Happy Birthady, Byron! And Mozart, too, while we’re at it.
Or favorite “Byronic” hero from a romance novel (there are lots to choose from!)?
I love the hero in Joan Smith’s “Imprudent Lady”. He is clearly based on Byron in many ways (he’s dark, rakish, lusted after, and famous in society for writing epic poems about corsairs) — and he has a romance with a heroine who must be based on Jane Austen. I think of it as the “what if Jane Austen and Byron fell in love?” book. 🙂
And, on a totally unrelated note, who are you cheering for in the Oscars?
I really want Forest Whitaker to win best actor — it was a wonderful performance. I’m not too picky about many of the other categories — except that I hope “Borat” doesn’t win best screenplay!!! (I’m sorry, but making people laugh by doing something shocking does not to me constitute difficult writing!)
Cara
<sigh> Thank you, Amanda, for that stirring image. That nose, and that petulant expression of ennui.
favorite “Byronic” hero
Stephanie Laurens’s Gerrard Debbington from “The Truth About Love.”
And, on a totally unrelated note, who are you cheering for in the Oscars?
Helen Mirren (my latest love) for The Queen (my best movie of the season). I’m also cheering on the fashion designers for turning out head-turning gowns, not Bjork-style duckies.
I’m woefully behind on the Oscar noms.
Who was the character in a Georgette Heyer (Friday’s Child, maybe) who affected a poetic demeanor? Loved that character! (but not enough to remember his name)
Diane
Favourite Byron poem? I’m more a Shelley girl (had a huge crush on him when I did English lit – which now makes me laugh as he would have driven me bananas in real life. But I suppose that’s the purpose of crushes!). But I love She walks in beauty like the night… My favourite Byronic hero would still have to be Heathcliff. Another bod who would drive me around the bend if he lived next door. Oh, and happy birthday, Mozart too!
Sorry for the formatting snafus, everyone–I had to switch to “new blogger” yesterday, after putting it off for weeks, and since I’m a techno-goober I’m having some troubles with it. 🙂
I agree with you about Borat, Cara–I read it was almost entirely improvised, so how can it be an “adapted screenplay”??? I loved The Queen, and just saw Volver, which was also great.
As for Byronic heroes–would the hero in Judy Cuevas/Judith Ivory’s “Bliss” count?
Alas, the only Bryon poem I really know is She Walks in Beauty. I have a small book of his poems here, but that’s the one I knew when buying it. . . and said, oh, gee, look at that. Didn’t know that. LOL 🙂 I probably need to look into him more. 🙂
Hmm, Oscars. . . it’s tough because I haven’t seen any of those movies. But I forget what choices I made in a contest with it. LOL 🙂 I know I picked The Queen for some stuff. . . 🙂
Lois
Being a non-English-major type, there are huge gaps in my reading, especially of poetry. So I couldn’t really claim to have a favorite Byron poem…maybe I should choose “Don Juan.” It’s, like, 300 pages long, so there must be something good in there. 🙂
I remember seeing a statue in an art museum of an angel weeping on the grave of Byron. So I guess he’s had his fans for a while now. 🙂
Todd-who-now-isn’t-sure-if-he-should-fluff-up-his-hair-or-have-it-flop-over-his-forehead
From KeiraSoleore…
(I’m having trouble with Google/Blogger)
I change my mind. Rochester, mais oui! The PBS Masterpiece Theatre version is HAWT!!
Todd, perhaps the Brutus hairstyle would be best. Or perhaps the streamlined Yul Brynner look. Cara?
“She Walks In Beauty” as read by Ron Pearlman. Just thinking about it makes my heart flutter.