POEMS AND VERSES OF CHARLES DICKENS

By Charles Dickens

Collected and Edited, with Bibliographical Notes, by F. G. Kitton




CONTENTS

PAGE
The Village Coquettes (1836), 3
Round.
Hail to the merry Autumn days, 		7
Lucy’s Song.
Love is not a feeling to pass away, 		8
Squire Norton’s Song.
That very wise head, old Æsop, said, 		9
George Edmunds’ Song.
Autumn leaves, autumn leaves, 		10
Rose’s Song.
Some folks who have grown old and sour, 		11
Duet (Flam and Rose).
’Tis true I’m caressed by the witty, 		12
Squire Norton’s Song.
The child and the old man sat alone, 		13
Duet (The Squire and Lucy).
In rich and lofty station shine, 		14
Sestet and Chorus.
Turn him from the farm, 		15
Quartet.
Hear me, when I swear that the farm is your own, 		17
Squire Norton’s Song.
There’s a charm in Spring, 		20
Young Benson’s Song.
My fair home is no longer mine, 		21
Duet (The Squire and Edmunds).
Listen, though I do not fear you, 		22
Lucy’s Song.
How beautiful at even-tide, 		23
Chorus.
Join the dance, with step as light, 		23
Quintet.
No light bound of stag or timid hare, 		24
The Lamplighter (1838), 29
Duet (Tom and Betsy).
There comes a new moon twelve times a year, 		31
The Pickwick Papers (1837), 35, 41, 47, 51
The Ivy Green.
Oh, a dainty plant is the Ivy green, 		36
A Christmas Carol.
I care not for Spring, 		42
Gabriel Grub’s Song.
Brave lodgings for one, 		48
Romance (Sam Weller’s Song).
Bold Turpin vunce, on Hounslow Heath, 		53
The Examiner (1841), 57
The Fine Old English Gentleman.
I’ll sing you a new ballad, 		59
The Quack Doctor’s Proclamation.
An astonishing doctor has just come to town, 		67
Subjects for Painters.
To you, Sir Martin, 		73
The Patrician’s Daughter (1842), 79
Prologue.
No tale of streaming plumes and harness bright, 		81
The Keepsake (1844), 87
A Word in Season.
They have a superstition in the East, 		89
The Daily News (1846), 93
The British Lion.
Oh, p’r’aps you may have heard, 		95
The Hymn of the Wiltshire Labourers.
Oh God, who by Thy Prophet’s hand, 		101
Lines addressed to Mark Lemon (1849), 107
New Song.
Lemon is a little hipped, 		109
The Lighthouse (1855), 113
Prologue.
A story of those rocks where doom’d ships come, 		115
The Song of the Wreck.
The wind blew high, the waters raved, 		119
The Frozen Deep (1856), 125
Prologue.
One savage footprint on the lonely shore, 		127
The Wreck of the Golden Mary (1856), 131
A Child’s Hymn.
Hear my prayer, O! Heavenly Father, 		133





THE BATTLE OF LIFE

A LOVE STORY

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Title. Artist. Engraver.
Frontispiece D. Maclise, R.A. Thompson.
Title D. Maclise, R.A. Thompson.
Part the First R. Doyle. Dalziel.
War C. Stanfield, R.A. Williams.
Peace C. Stanfield, R.A. Williams.
The Parting Breakfast J. Leech. Dalziel.
Part the Second R. Doyle. Green.
Snitchey and Craggs J. Leech. Dalziel.
The Secret Interview D. Maclise, R.A. Williams.
The Night of the Return J. Leech. Dalziel.
Part the Third R. Doyle. Dalziel.
The Nutmeg Grater C. Stanfield, R.A. Williams.
The Sisters D. Maclise, R.A. Williams.





A CHILD’S DREAM OF A STAR

By Charles Dickens

With Illustrations By Hammatt Billings

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Engraved by W. J. Linton

    Page
I. These Two used to wonder 5
II. One clear shining Star 6
III. The Sister drooped 7
IV. A little Grave 8
V. A great World of Light 9
VI. “Is my Brother come?” 10
VII. The Company of Angels 11
VIII. “Thy Mother is no more” 12
IX. A Man, whose Hair was turning Gray 13
X. “I see the Star!” 14
XI. It shines upon his Grave 15





OLIVER TWIST,

Or, The Parish Boy’s Progress

By Charles Dickens

Illustrated by George Cruikshank



CONTENTS

CHAPTER I TREATS OF THE PLACE WHERE OLIVER TWIST WAS BORN AND OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING HIS BIRTH
CHAPTER II TREATS OF OLIVER TWIST’S GROWTH, EDUCATION, AND BOARD
CHAPTER III RELATES HOW OLIVER TWIST WAS VERY NEAR GETTING A PLACE WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A SINECURE
CHAPTER IV OLIVER, BEING OFFERED ANOTHER PLACE, MAKES HIS FIRST ENTRY INTO PUBLIC LIFE
CHAPTER V OLIVER MINGLES WITH NEW ASSOCIATES. GOING TO A FUNERAL FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE FORMS AN UNFAVOURABLE NOTION OF HIS MASTER’S BUSINESS
CHAPTER VI OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM
CHAPTER VII OLIVER CONTINUES REFRACTORY
CHAPTER VIII OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON. HE ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN
CHAPTER IX CONTAINING FURTHER PARTICULARS CONCERNING THE PLEASANT OLD GENTLEMAN, AND HIS HOPEFUL PUPILS
CHAPTER X OLIVER BECOMES BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH THE CHARACTERS OF HIS NEW ASSOCIATES; AND PURCHASES EXPERIENCE AT A HIGH PRICE. BEING A SHORT, BUT VERY IMPORTANT CHAPTER, IN THIS HISTORY
CHAPTER XI TREATS OF MR. FANG THE POLICE MAGISTRATE; AND FURNISHES A SLIGHT SPECIMEN OF HIS MODE OF ADMINISTERING JUSTICE
CHAPTER XII IN WHICH OLIVER IS TAKEN BETTER CARE OF THAN HE EVER WAS BEFORE. AND IN WHICH THE NARRATIVE REVERTS TO THE MERRY OLD GENTLEMAN AND HIS YOUTHFUL FRIENDS.
CHAPTER XIII SOME NEW ACQUAINTANCES ARE INTRODUCED TO THE INTELLIGENT READER, CONNECTED WITH WHOM VARIOUS PLEASANT MATTERS ARE RELATED, APPERTAINING TO THIS HISTORY
CHAPTER XIV COMPRISING FURTHER PARTICULARS OF OLIVER’S STAY AT MR. BROWNLOW’S, WITH THE REMARKABLE PREDICTION WHICH ONE MR. GRIMWIG UTTERED CONCERNING HIM, WHEN HE WENT OUT ON AN ERRAND
CHAPTER XV SHOWING HOW VERY FOND OF OLIVER TWIST, THE MERRY OLD JEW AND MISS NANCY WERE
CHAPTER XVI RELATES WHAT BECAME OF OLIVER TWIST, AFTER HE HAD BEEN CLAIMED BY NANCY
CHAPTER XVII OLIVER’S DESTINY CONTINUING UNPROPITIOUS, BRINGS A GREAT MAN TO LONDON TO INJURE HIS REPUTATION
CHAPTER XVIII HOW OLIVER PASSED HIS TIME IN THE IMPROVING SOCIETY OF HIS REPUTABLE FRIENDS
CHAPTER XIX IN WHICH A NOTABLE PLAN IS DISCUSSED AND DETERMINED ON
CHAPTER XX WHEREIN OLIVER IS DELIVERED OVER TO MR. WILLIAM SIKES
CHAPTER XXI THE EXPEDITION
CHAPTER XXII THE BURGLARY
CHAPTER XXIII WHICH CONTAINS THE SUBSTANCE OF A PLEASANT CONVERSATION BETWEEN MR. BUMBLE AND A LADY; AND SHOWS THAT EVEN A BEADLE MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE ON SOME POINTS
CHAPTER XXIV TREATS ON A VERY POOR SUBJECT. BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY
CHAPTER XXV WHEREIN THIS HISTORY REVERTS TO MR. FAGIN AND COMPANY
CHAPTER XXVI IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS CHARACTER APPEARS UPON THE SCENE; AND MANY THINGS, INSEPARABLE FROM THIS HISTORY, ARE DONE AND PERFORMED
CHAPTER XXVII ATONES FOR THE UNPOLITENESS OF A FORMER CHAPTER; WHICH DESERTED A LADY, MOST UNCEREMONIOUSLY
CHAPTER XXVIII LOOKS AFTER OLIVER, AND PROCEEDS WITH HIS ADVENTURES
CHAPTER XXIX HAS AN INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT OF THE INMATES OF THE HOUSE, TO WHICH OLIVER RESORTED
CHAPTER XXX RELATES WHAT OLIVER’S NEW VISITORS THOUGHT OF HIM
CHAPTER XXXI INVOLVES A CRITICAL POSITION
CHAPTER XXXII OF THE HAPPY LIFE OLIVER BEGAN TO LEAD WITH HIS KIND FRIENDS
CHAPTER XXXIII WHEREIN THE HAPPINESS OF OLIVER AND HIS FRIENDS, EXPERIENCES A SUDDEN CHECK
CHAPTER XXXIV CONTAINS SOME INTRODUCTORY PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO A YOUNG GENTLEMAN WHO NOW ARRIVES UPON THE SCENE; AND A NEW ADVENTURE WHICH HAPPENED TO OLIVER
CHAPTER XXXV CONTAINING THE UNSATISFACTORY RESULT OF OLIVER’S ADVENTURE; AND A CONVERSATION OF SOME IMPORTANCE BETWEEN HARRY MAYLIE AND ROSE
CHAPTER XXXVI IS A VERY SHORT ONE, AND MAY APPEAR OF NO GREAT IMPORTANCE IN ITS PLACE, BUT IT SHOULD BE READ NOTWITHSTANDING, AS A SEQUEL TO THE LAST, AND A KEY TO ONE THAT WILL FOLLOW WHEN ITS
CHAPTER XXXVII IN WHICH THE READER MAY PERCEIVE A CONTRAST, NOT UNCOMMON IN MATRIMONIAL CASES
CHAPTER XXXVIII CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN MR. AND MRS. BUMBLE, AND MR. MONKS, AT THEIR NOCTURNAL INTERVIEW
CHAPTER XXXIX INTRODUCES SOME RESPECTABLE CHARACTERS WITH WHOM THE READER IS ALREADY ACQUAINTED, AND SHOWS HOW MONKS AND THE JEW LAID THEIR WORTHY HEADS TOGETHER
CHAPTER XL A STRANGE INTERVIEW, WHICH IS A SEQUEL TO THE LAST CHAMBER
CHAPTER XLI CONTAINING FRESH DISCOVERIES, AND SHOWING THAT SUPRISES, LIKE MISFORTUNES, SELDOM COME ALONE
CHAPTER XLII AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF OLIVER’S, EXHIBITING DECIDED MARKS OF GENIUS, BECOMES A PUBLIC CHARACTER IN THE METROPOLIS
CHAPTER XLIII WHEREIN IS SHOWN HOW THE ARTFUL DODGER GOT INTO TROUBLE
CHAPTER XLIV THE TIME ARRIVES FOR NANCY TO REDEEM HER PLEDGE TO ROSE MAYLIE. SHE FAILS.
CHAPTER XLV NOAH CLAYPOLE IS EMPLOYED BY FAGIN ON A SECRET MISSION
CHAPTER XLVI THE APPOINTMENT KEPT
CHAPTER XLVII FATAL CONSEQUENCES
CHAPTER XLVIII THE FLIGHT OF SIKES
CHAPTER XLIX MONKS AND MR. BROWNLOW AT LENGTH MEET. THEIR CONVERSATION, AND THE INTELLIGENCE THAT INTERRUPTS IT
CHAPTER L THE PURSUIT AND ESCAPE
CHAPTER LI AFFORDING AN EXPLANATION OF MORE MYSTERIES THAN ONE, AND COMPREHENDING A PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE WITH NO WORD OF SETTLEMENT OR PIN-MONEY
CHAPTER LII FAGIN’S LAST NIGHT ALIVE
CHAPTER LIII AND LAST





THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF THE PICKWICK CLUB

By Charles Dickens

Illustrated By Cecil Aldin

VOLUME THE SECOND

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I PAGE
The Story of the Goblins who Stole a Sexton 1
CHAPTER II
How the Pickwickians made and cultivated the Acquaintance of a couple of Nice Young Men belonging to one of the Liberal Professions; how they Disported themselves on the Ice; and how their First Visit came to a Conclusion 12
CHAPTER III
Which is all about the Law, and sundry great Authorities learned therein 26
CHAPTER IV
Describes, far more fully than the Court Newsman ever did, a Bachelor’s Party, given by Mr. Bob Sawyer at his Lodgings in the Borough 43
CHAPTER V
Mr. Weller the Elder delivers some Critical Sentiments respecting Literary Composition; and, assisted by his son Samuel, pays a small Instalment of Retaliation to the Account of the Reverend Gentleman with the Red Nose 59
CHAPTER VI
Is wholly devoted to a Full and Faithful Report of the Memorable Trial of Bardell against Pickwick 78
CHAPTER VII
In which Mr. Pickwick thinks he had better go to Bath; and goes accordingly 105
CHAPTER VIII
The Chief Features of which, will be found to be an Authentic Version of the Legend of Prince Bladud, and a most extraordinary Calamity that befell Mr. Winkle 123
CHAPTER IX
Honourably accounts for Mr. Weller’s Absence, by describing a Soiree to which he was Invited and went; also relates how he was entrusted by Mr. Pickwick with a Private Mission of Delicacy and Importance 136
CHAPTER X
How Mr. Winkle, when he stepped out of the Frying-pan, walked gently and comfortably into the Fire 151
CHAPTER XI
Mr. Samuel Weller, being entrusted with a Mission of Love, proceeds to Execute it; with what Success will hereinafter appear 167
CHAPTER XII
Introduces Mr. Pickwick to a New and not uninteresting Scene in the great Drama of Life 184
CHAPTER XIII
What befell Mr. Pickwick when he got into the Fleet; what Prisoners he Saw there; and how he Passed the Night 199
CHAPTER XIV
Illustrative, like the preceding one, of the old Proverb, That Adversity brings a Man acquainted with Strange Bed-fellows. Likewise containing Mr. Pickwick’s extraordinary and startling Announcement to Mr. Samuel Weller 214
CHAPTER XV
Showing how Mr. Samuel Weller got into Difficulties 230
CHAPTER XVI
Treats of divers little Matters which occurred in the Fleet, and of Mr. Winkle’s Mysterious Behaviour; and shows how the poor Chancery Prisoner obtained his Release at last 246
CHAPTER XVII
Descriptive of an Affecting Interview between Mr. Samuel Weller and a Family Party. Mr. Pickwick makes a Tour of the Diminutive World he inhabits, and resolves to mix with it, in future, as little as possible 261
CHAPTER XVIII
Records a touching Act of delicate Feeling, not unmixed With Pleasantry, achieved and performed by Messrs. Dodson and Fogg 280
CHAPTER XIX
Is chiefly devoted to Matters of Business, and the Temporal Advantage of Dodson and Fogg. Mr. Winkle reappears under Extraordinary Circumstances. Mr. Pickwick’s Benevolence proves stronger than his Obstinacy 292
CHAPTER XX
Relates how Mr. Pickwick, with the assistance of Samuel Weller, essayed to soften the Heart of Mr. Benjamin Allen, and to mollify the Wrath of Mr. Robert Sawyer 305
CHAPTER XXI
Containing the Story of the Bagman’s Uncle 320
CHAPTER XXII
How Mr. Pickwick sped upon his Mission, and how he was Reinforced in the Outset by a most unexpected Auxiliary 340
CHAPTER XXIII
In which Mr. Pickwick encounters an old Acquaintance, to which fortunate Circumstance the Reader is mainly indebted for Matter of thrilling Interest herein set down, concerning two great Public Men of Might and Power 357
CHAPTER XXIV
Involving a serious Change in the Weller Family, and the untimely Downfall of the Red-nosed Mr. Stiggins 374
CHAPTER XXV
Comprising the final Exit of Mr. Jingle and Job Trotter; with a great Morning of Business in Gray’s Inn Square. Concluding with a Double Knock at Mr. Perker’s Door 387
CHAPTER XXVI
Containing some Particulars relative to the Double Knock, and other Matters: among which certain Interesting Disclosures relative to Mr. Snodgrass and a Young Lady are by no means irrelevant to this History 402
CHAPTER XXVII
Mr. Solomon Pell, assisted by a Select Committee of Coachmen, arranges the Affairs of the Elder Mr. Weller 420
CHAPTER XXVIII
An important Conference takes place between Mr. Pickwick and Samuel Weller, at which his Parent assists. An old Gentleman in a Snuff-coloured Suit arrives unexpectedly 434
CHAPTER XXIX
In which the Pickwick Club is finally Dissolved, and Everything Concluded to the Satisfaction of Everybody 449

ILLUSTRATIONS

IN COLOUR
“Gentlemen, what does this mean? ‘Chops and Tomato sauce. Yours, Pickwick’” Frontispiece
A face, head, and shoulders, emerged from beneath the water, and disclosed the features and spectacles of Mr. Pickwick Facing page 22
“A what!” asked Mr. Weller, apparently horror-stricken by the word. “A Walentine,” replied Sam „ 64
Mr. Winkle took to his heels and tore round the Crescent „ 134
And here, to the great horror of Mr. John Smauker, Sam Weller began to whistle „ 138
“Lor’, do adun, Mr. Weller!” „ 170
The cavalcade gave three tremendous cheers „ 244
“I drove the old piebald” „ 264
He felled Mr. Benjamin Allen to the ground „ 310
It was a beautiful and exhilarating sight to see the red-nosed man writhing in Mr. Weller’s grasp „ 386
The admiration of numerous elderly ladies of single condition „ 454
IN TEXT
  PAGE
Heading to Chapter I 1
Heading to Chapter II 12
“Now then, sir,” said Sam, “off vith you, and show ’em how to do it” 18
Went slowly and gravely down the slide 21
Heading to Chapter III 26
Heading to Chapter IV 43
“If you’ll have the kindness to settle that little bill of mine I’ll thank you” 46
Heading to Chapter V 59
“Is there anybody here, named Sam?” 60
Heading to Chapter VI 78
Heading to Chapter VII 105
“Do you do anything in this way, sir?” inquired the tall footman 117
Heading to Chapter VIII 123
Heading to Chapter IX 136
Heading to Chapter X 151
“You’ve been stopping to over all the posts in Bristol” 156
Heading to Chapter XI 167
Heading to Chapter XII 184
“Take your hat off” 187
Heading to Chapter XIII 199
“Come on—both of you” 209
Heading to Chapter XIV 214
Heading to Chapter XV 230
After a violent struggle, released his head and face 236
Heading to Chapter XVI 246
Heading to Chapter XVII 261
Heading to Chapter XVIII 280
A shabby man in black leggings 287
Heading to Chapter XIX 292
Heading to Chapter XX 305
Heading to Chapter XXI 320
“My uncle gave a loud stamp on the boot in the energy of the moment” 338
Heading to Chapter XXII 340
Mr. Winkle senior 352
Heading to Chapter XXIII 357
Heading to Chapter XXIV 374
Heading to Chapter XXV 387
Heading to Chapter XXVI 402
His jolly red face shining with smiles and health 404
Pointed with his thumb over his shoulder 416
Heading to Chapter XXVII 420
A cold collation of an Abernethy biscuit and a saveloy 423
Heading to Chapter XXVIII 434
A little old gentleman in a suit of snuff-coloured clothes 444
Dismissed him with a harmless but ceremonious kick 448
Heading to Chapter XXIX 449
“The happiness of young people,” said Mr. Pickwick, a little moved, “has ever been the chief pleasure of my life” 451
Exchanged his old costume for the ordinary dress of Englishmen 455
Tailpiece to Chapter XXIX 457