Endymion
Saturday, August 28, 2010
I ran across this ad yesterday and I'm so glad, because it fits in perfectly with my revisions, and it's also so, so romantic. A perfect counterpart to Mister Practical of yesterday. Here goes:
"No one is so accursed by fate,No one so utterly desolate,
But some heart, though unknown,
Responds unto his own."
A gentleman awaits a response from a lady of culture and refinement. Address W.D., Constitution office.
10-1--sun-5t
Awww. Love! Any American Lit devotees may recognize the above quotation (I had to look it up), from a poem called "Endymion" (thus the heading of this blog post), by the very famous poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
This ad appeared in the midst of a personals column filled with patent medicines, quack cures, but enhancements, detoxes for drunks...all sorts of unsavory classifieds. So I had never noticed it before, really, and yet there it was - a diamond in the rough. A rose amidst the weeds. What have you. There is just something so, I don't know, hopeful about this ad. I like the end: "A gentleman awaits a response..." That's it. No, "Hey look at me I'm so awesome and rich and I want a wealthy wife!" Just, here's my sentiment, and if you match it, let me know.
Anyway, I'm off in a few hours to a wedding, so it seems only appropriate to have included an ad like this. I hope he also had a happy ending!
©2010 Pam Epstein
2 comments:
Hi Pam,
I ran across your blog by way of the "Best History Sites" list. Your blog is awesome - you've chosen a fascinating focus, publish consistently, and write very well.
When I need a dose of romanticism in the Victorian style, I know where I can find it.
Thank you so much! Please keep reading!
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