Greybeards at Play: Literature and Art for Old Gentlemen

audiobook

Greybeards at Play: Literature and Art for Old Gentlemen

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

EN·~10 minutes·8 chapters

Chapters

8 total

GREYBEARDS AT PLAY - LITERATURE AND ART FOR OLD GENTLEMEN - RHYMES AND SKETCHES BY GILBERT CHESTERTON

0:06

London: R. Brimley Johnson 8, York Buildings, Adelphi

0:03

MCM

0:00

A DEDICATION - TO E.C.B.

1:58

THE ONENESS OF THE PHILOSOPHER WITH NATURE.

2:01

OF THE DANGERS ATTENDING ALTRUISM ON THE HIGH SEAS.

2:29

ON THE DISASTROUS SPREAD OF ÆSTHETICISM IN ALL CLASSES.

2:36

ENVOY.

1:14

Description

A delightfully eccentric anthology, this work gathers a series of witty verses and charming sketches that celebrate the simple wonders of childhood through the eyes of seasoned gentlemen. From whispered conversations with the sun and moon to playful friendships with tigers, whales, and even a barnacle, each poem spins a gentle parody of nature’s grand theater. The language flits between childlike wonder and seasoned reflection, inviting listeners to linger over whimsical images of forests sipping tea and waterfalls that never shy from conversation.

Interwoven with these pastoral reveries are humorous nautical adventures, where a band of flamboyant pirates confront the absurdities of generosity at sea. Their bawdy camaraderie and tongue‑in‑cheek cautionary tales about altruism are rendered in bright, rhythmic couplets that keep the mood light while hinting at deeper moral questions. Altogether, the collection feels like a leisurely stroll through an illustrated garden, perfect for anyone who enjoys gentle satire, vivid imagination, and a nostalgic nod to the pleasures of being young at heart.

Collections

Browse all

Details

Language

en

Duration

~10 minutes (10K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2005-01-16

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

1874–1936

A master of wit and paradox, this beloved English writer turned essays, mysteries, and religious reflection into something lively, funny, and surprisingly warm. He is especially remembered for the Father Brown stories and for ideas that still spark readers more than a century later.

View all books

You may also like

The wisdom of Father Brown

The wisdom of Father Brown

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

Orthodoxy

Orthodoxy

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

The Everlasting Man

The Everlasting Man

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

The New Jerusalem

The New Jerusalem

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

The Defendant

The Defendant

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

The Ballad of the White Horse

The Ballad of the White Horse

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

The Napoleon of Notting Hill

The Napoleon of Notting Hill

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton

The Club of Queer Trades

The Club of Queer Trades

by G. K. (Gilbert Keith) Chesterton