Verses and Translations

"Verses and Translations" by Charles Stuart Calverley is a collection of poems and interpreted works from the late 1800s that explores youthful affections and long-ago memories, mixed with an investigation of language through new versions of age-old writings. The book opens on playful ideas and thoughtful tones, pulling the reader into the author's funny views of life and love, and his personal thoughts. Early on, readers meet the author's past crushes and touching memories, first and foremost a girl named Julia Goodchild, whose charm holds the speaker’s heart. Imagery paints pictures of reflection as the speaker calls back simpler days at a school. Next to this story, Calverley also includes a funny poem describing the amusing missteps of a lively boy and the humor found in friendship during rivalries, building a base that mixes feeling with wit.