Chapter I: Front Matter

A READING OF LIFE
WITH OTHER POEMS

BY GEORGE MEREDITH

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WESTMINSTER
ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & CO LTD
2 WHITEHALL GARDENS
1901

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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 TROJANS 122 THE HORSES OF ACHILLES 123 THE MARES OF THE CAMARGUE-- FROM THE _MIREIO_ 126

A READING OF LIFE

THE VITAL CHOICE

I

OR shall we run with Artemis
Or yield the breast to Aphrodite?
Both are mighty;
Both give bliss;
Each can torture if divided;
Each claims worship undivided,
In her wake would have us wallow.