
THE CERTAIN HOUR - (Dizain des Poëtes)
By - JAMES BRANCH CABELL
TO ROBERT GAMBLE CABELL II
In Dedication of The Certain Hour
BALLAD OF THE DOUBLE-SOUL
AUCTORIAL INDUCTION
AUCTORIAL INDUCTION
II
III
IV
A lyrical tapestry unfolds, inviting listeners into a meditation on time’s relentless march and the stubborn permanence of love. The opening verses set a tone of gentle satire, where the narrator observes critics shaping impressions like fleeting shadows, while a deeper current of divine sonship and mortal chance runs beneath. The language dances between classical allusion and modern wit, offering a contemplative space that feels both timeless and oddly immediate.
From the “Ballad of the Double‑Soul” to “Balthazar’s Daughter” and the mischievous “Irresistible Ogle,” the collection weaves mythic figures, playful paradoxes, and philosophical riddles into short, vivid poems. Each piece teases the listener with dualities—hope and fear, ambition and humility—while maintaining a light, conversational rhythm. The result is a richly textured journey through imagination and inquiry that rewards attentive ears with both laughter and lingering thought.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (318K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
1995-07-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1879–1958
Best known for the witty and once-controversial novel Jurgen, this Richmond-born writer built a strange, elegant body of fantasy that mixed satire, romance, and myth. His books were admired by major literary figures of his day and helped give early American fantasy a distinctly playful voice.
View all books
by James Branch Cabell

by James Branch Cabell

by James Branch Cabell

by James Branch Cabell

by James Branch Cabell

by James Branch Cabell

by James Branch Cabell

by James Branch Cabell