Dibdin's Ghost.

By Eugene Field

Ballad
    Dear wife, last midnight while I read     The tomes you so despise,     A specter rose beside the bed     And spoke in this true wise;     "From Canaan's beatific coast     I've come to visit thee,     For I'm Frognall Dibdin's ghost!"     Says Dibdin's ghost to me.     I bade him welcome and we twain     Discussed with buoyant hearts     The various things that appertain     To bibliomaniac arts.     "Since you are fresh from t'other side,     Pray tell me of that host     That treasured books before they died,"     Says I to Dibdin's ghost.     "They've entered into perfect rest,     For in the life they've won     There are no auctions to molest,     No creditors to dun;     Their heavenly rapture has no bounds     Beside that jasper sea--     It is a joy unknown to Lowndes!"     Says Dibdin's ghost to me.     Much I rejoiced to hear him speak     Of biblio-bliss above,     For I am one of those who seek     What bibliomaniacs love;     "But tell me--for I long to hear     What doth concern me most--     Are wives admitted to that sphere?"     Says I to Dibdin's ghost.     "The women folk are few up there,     For 'twere not fair you know     That they our heavenly joy should share     Who vex us here below!     The few are those who have been kind     To husbands such as we--     They knew our fads, and didn't mind,"     Says Dibdin's ghost to me.     "But what of those who scold at us     When we would read in bed?     Or, wanting victuals, make a fuss     If we buy books, instead?     And what of those who've dusted not     Our motley pride and boast?     Shall they profane that sacred spot?"     Says I to Dibdin's ghost.     "Oh, no! they tread that other path     Which leads where torments roll,     And worms--yes bookworms--vent their wrath     Upon the guilty soul!     Untouched of bibliomaniac grace     That saveth such as we,     They wallow in that dreadful place!"     Says Dibdin's ghost to me.     "To my dear wife will I recite     What things I've heard you say;     She'll let me read the books by night     She's let me buy by day;     For we, together, by and by,     Would join that heavenly host--     She's earned a rest as well as I!"     Says I to Dibdin's ghost.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem presents a wry exploration of the themes of marriage, bibliophilia, and the afterlife, with a distinctly humorous tone. Its structure follows a rhythmic and rhyming pattern, a characteristic of traditional verse, which enhances its storytelling aspect.

The speaker's interaction with Dibdin's ghost, a figure who clearly represents a bibliomaniac's ideal afterlife, imbues the poem with a sense of whimsy. Clearly, the speaker and Dibdin's ghost share a mutual appreciation for books and the peace they offer, a peace that seems to be disrupted by the speaker's relationship with his wife. The portrayal of the wife as a character who 'despises' the speaker's books and disrupts his reading injects the poem with an element of domestic conflict and humor, further emphasized by the speaker's questioning of whether wives are admitted to the bibliomaniac's paradise.

A standout literary device in the poem is the use of dialogue, which not only brings a conversational tone to the piece but also contributes to its storytelling element. The conversations between the speaker and Dibdin's ghost reveal the speaker's yearning for uninterrupted reading and his hope for a peaceful afterlife filled with books. It is evident that the speaker sees his love for books as a 'sacred' pursuit, a theme that's humorously juxtaposed with the more mundane, earthly concerns of his wife.

In conclusion, this poem is a clever, humorous meditation on the joys of reading and the imagined afterlife of a true bibliophile, with its narrative underscored by a playful take on marital discord.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.