The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

85

By Robert Scott Tait (?1816-1897), Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

Jenny Kissed Me Leigh Hunt

Leigh Hunt looks back to a memorable event in a long life.

Read

86

© Michael Garlick, Geograph. CC BY-SA 2.0.

The Man Who Couldn’t Abide Greed Geoffrey Chaucer

On a money-spinning pilgrimage to Canterbury, a Pardoner says the quiet part out loud.

Read

87

By Max Liebermann (1847-1935), by Wikimedia Commons. Public domain.

A Well-Tuned Heart Izaak Walton

A road accident made parish priest George Herbert late for his musical evening, but he was not a bit sorry.

Read

88

© Ian Capper, Geograph. CC BY-SA 2.0.

On Having the Socks Samuel Butler

In Erewhon, apologise by saying you have the socks and everyone will understand.

Read

89

© psyberartist, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Dog and Ducking Edward Jesse

A much-provoked Newfoundland loses his patience.

Read

90

© DrPete (Pete Coleman), Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Cat and Cook Ivan Andreyevich Krylov

A little fable about a cat, a chicken and some wasted words.

Read