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Issue Details: First known date: 1889... 1889 Fragmentary Thoughts
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Notes

  • Dedication: 'To Lord Tennyson. Permit me to dedicate this volume to you in remembrance of golden hours of life spent with you in various ways. Our happy walks together in the groves and over the downs in the neighbourhood of Farringford, and through the bowery lanes and across the green fields around Aldworth; the hours of rare enjoyment vouchsafed to me when, under your honoured roof, I have listened to your reading of your immortal poems; the delicate kindnesses extended to me by the gracious lady who, for so many years, has made the spiritual sunshine of your illustrious life-all remain with me as memories whose beauty can never die. Henry Parkes. Sydney, December, 1889.'
  • Author's Preface: 'This book is sent into the world, like a friendless child, with no claim to notice, and no expectation of favour, but with all the fond attachment of a hopeless parent. The verses collected in its pages have been written on occasions which have been as breaks in the chain of nearly sixty years of incessant labour and struggling effort in fields far removed from literary study. They form in some measure the broken record of the inner life of a busy public career, which men at times have treated too indulgently and at other times have blindly and perversely misjudged, but which few have critically understood. The hidden burning passion, the pulsations of prescient thought, the unsullied yearning for the higher part, the involuntary scorn of worldly-mantled meanness, the better aspirations of the unsatisified spirit-have found imperfect expression in these desultory verses. To those who desire to know the author in his political character they will have an interpretable interest, and in the investigations of the curious they may serve to throw light on transactions and proposals which are now as little heard of as if they were forgotten....'

Contents

* Contents derived from the Sydney, New South Wales,:Samuel E. Lees , 1889 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
Fatherlandi"The brave old land of deed and song,", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 1-2)
A Passing Rhymei"Men of the sword have won their way to power,", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 3-4)
Suggested by Political Changes in Men in Power and Men Out of Power in 1856i"Poor land! of what avail for thee", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 5-6)
The New Parliamenti"The splendour of tradition here", H. P. , single work poetry (p. 7-9)
On the Receipt of the Last Intelligence from Francei"Beautiful spirit that walketh the sea;", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 10-11)
Note: With alt title "Revolutionary Conflicts in Paris"
Lamartinei"Nearer to heaven what mind could rise", Henry Parkes , single work poetry
A tribute to the French poet and political figure, Alphonse de Lamartine (1790-1869).
(p. 12-13)
Sunrise, from Bourke's Statuei"A youth rein'd in his graceful steed", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 14-16)
Note: With alt title "The Sun Thought"
The Buried Chiefi"With speechless lips and solemn tread", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 17-18)
To A Beautiful Friendless Childi"DID shock of birth-bliss slay thy mother?", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 19-21)
Charles and Oliveri"Two children met - four years and five-", H. P. , single work poetry (p. 22-23)
A League Hymni"Come, brothers, come! the new-born South,", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 24-25)
Our Coming Countrymeni"England's poor who wanderers be", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 26-30)
The Multitude's Hymni"Our God and theirs! look down on us", Henry Parkes , single work poetry
'Asks God to break their prison of ignorance and toil' (Webby)
(p. 31-33)
Note: With alt title "The Prayer of the English Multitude"
Labour, Wisdom, Unityi"A goodly sight it is young friend", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 34-35)
Sunrisei"Unrisen, but with every thought to rise,", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 36-39)
The Strength of Lifei"The dreams of boyhood all were passed,", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 40-41)
A Common Griefi"A simple Irish maiden, with wild heart", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 42-45)
The Emigrant to His Wifei"I remember days all glowing, love,", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 46-51)
Lifei"Morning and night of life! How grandly waken", Henry Parkes , single work poetry (p. 52-54)
Note: With alt title "Heart Mysteries"
The Home-Bound Shipi"Morn brightened into rich and cloudless day,", Henry Parkes , single work poetry
On leaving Sydney to return to England.
(p. 55-57)

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • Sydney, New South Wales,: Samuel E. Lees , 1889 .
      Extent: xiii, 208p.p.
      Note/s:
      • Includes facsimile of letter from Lord Tennyson to the Author. Percival Serle's Bibliography of Australasian Poetry and Verse : Australia and new Zealand (1925): 155 states: 'The facsimile of a letter from Tennyson inserted in some copies, was not a part of the volume as originally issued.'
      • Ten sonnets arranged under heading 'Sonnets' (pp.199-208).

Works about this Work

The Chinese and Federation J. B. Hirst , 2004 single work criticism
— Appears in: Otherland , December no. 9 2004; (p. 11-20)
In this article, John Hirst draws upon a number of Australian poems to examine the connections between the cultural exclusion of Chinese immigrants and the federation of the Australian colonies.
"Fragmentary Thoughts" by Sir Henry Parkes Bella Halloran , 1892 single work review
— Appears in: Sydney Quarterly Magazine , March 1892; (p. 33-40)

— Review of Fragmentary Thoughts Henry Parkes , 1889 selected work poetry
"Fragmentary Thoughts" by Sir Henry Parkes Bella Halloran , 1892 single work review
— Appears in: Sydney Quarterly Magazine , March 1892; (p. 33-40)

— Review of Fragmentary Thoughts Henry Parkes , 1889 selected work poetry
The Chinese and Federation J. B. Hirst , 2004 single work criticism
— Appears in: Otherland , December no. 9 2004; (p. 11-20)
In this article, John Hirst draws upon a number of Australian poems to examine the connections between the cultural exclusion of Chinese immigrants and the federation of the Australian colonies.
Last amended 5 Oct 2016 14:29:22
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