The Great Harry, “Toilet of a Dandy”
Harry is the titular dandy of this short poem. “Toilet” here refers to the older, mostly out-of-date meaning that refers not to a porcelain bowl, but the process of getting dressed. For Harry, this is process that takes two hours, involves multiple changes of attire and the accompanying reliance on a bootjack for changing shoes, a machine for pressing fabrics and mirrors. Oh, so many mirrors. Because, of course, Harry is a dandy.
Gulliver, “Gulliver”
A poetic monologue by Swift’s famous character delivered shortly after washing ashore in Lilliput. Gulliver is held in bondage, trying vainly to break his chains and think to himself about the various deals he would make in exchange for release. The last deal involves trading imprisonment for execution.
Governor of Glubbdubdrib, “Glubbdubdrib”
While the giant Gulliver tied down by the Lilliputians is recognized even by people who’ve never picked up the book, even many of those who have read the travels might not be entirely familiar with the Glubbdubdribbians and their Governor who has great—but rather severely limited—power to raise the dead (though they are referenced as ghosts and not the modern and woefully misapprehended version of zombies). This poem describes a typical evening at the island’s castle, surrounded by the ghosts and the Governor who speaks as though an equal of the famous historical ghosts surrounding him, but whom his guests simply ignore.
Captain Cook, “Five Visions of Captain Cook”
One of Slessor’s most famous poems is this lengthy, five-part profile of Captain Cook as related through the eyes of others. The central premise is that Cook was a captain in the days when captains were kings and possessed of a special quality under whose spell men naturally fell.
The Ghost, “The Ghost”
For twenty-four lines there is not even a hint of a ghost in this poem. Instead, there is an imagery-laden description of a party taking place at an Inn. Music is playing, the room flickers by candlelight, ladies toss their fans, mouths are warm and eyes bubble. It is a glorious scene and a voice says:
“O, to be there alive,
Breathing again!'”
Only then, in the final two closing lines, does the title character appear, pressing his face up against the window from the outside, hoping in vain for what will never be.
