Episodes

  • The Battle of the Books - To Stella

    The Battle of the Books - To Stella
    Mar 22 2026
    In which a devoted friend extols the virtues of Stella, a lady whose wit, honour, and courage transcend the common prejudices of her sex, illustrating true nobility of mind with a gentle yet firm voice. We are also tenderly given a glimpse into the intimate care and profound affection shared during a time of illness, underscoring the sincerity of friendship beyond mere words.
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    7 mins
  • The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday, March 13, 1726

    The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday, March 13, 1726
    Mar 20 2026
    In which a reflective and tender birthday meditation gently unfolds, extolling the enduring comfort found in a life well lived and the virtue that nourishes the mind beyond bodily decline. The verses contemplate the stoic courage of a beloved friend, inviting solace in past deeds of kindness and the hope of a tranquil future state.
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    4 mins
  • The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday, 1724

    The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday, 1724
    Mar 18 2026
    In which the speaker, reflecting with gentle melancholy on the passage of time, contemplates the fading of youthful beauty and poetic inspiration as he celebrates a beloved lady’s birthday with heartfelt prose rather than rhyme. Despite acknowledging nature’s inevitable changes, he affirms the enduring virtues of honour, wit, and friendship, which remain untouched by age or outward appearance.
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    3 mins
  • The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday

    The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday
    Mar 16 2026
    In which a devoted poet struggles mightily to compose an annual ode in honour of Stella’s birthday, wrestling with his diminished inspiration and the fear of public reproach. He seeks Apollo’s divine counsel, who prescribes a ritual involving a long-hidden bottle of wine and the assistance of faithful friends to rekindle the muse’s favour and prompt the verses Stella deserves.
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    5 mins
  • The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday, 1720.

    The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday, 1720.
    Mar 14 2026
    In which a charming ode is offered to Stella’s enduring allure, lauding her wit, sense, and hospitality that outshine mere youthful beauty or superficial appearance. The poem gently mocks rival establishments and idle gossip, suggesting that true charm and substance will always draw the discerning visitor.
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    3 mins
  • The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday, 1718

    The Battle of the Books - Stella’s Birthday, 1718
    Mar 12 2026
    In which a genteel and affectionate verse marks the celebration of Stella’s thirty-fourth year, tenderly reflecting on the constancy of her beauty and wit since youth. The poet wistfully muses on the enchanting qualities of his beloved, wishing to divide his admiration so as to honour two gracious nymphs alike.
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    1 min
  • The Battle of the Books - Candenus and Vanessa

    The Battle of the Books - Candenus and Vanessa
    Mar 10 2026
    In which the mighty goddess Venus strives to restore the waning power of love by crafting a paragon of virtue and wit named Vanessa, only to find her design confounded by the mingled influences of wisdom and human folly. Amidst courtly pleasantries, learned debates, and the subtle darts of Cupid, Vanessa’s uncommon mind both challenges and puzzles those around her, revealing the enduring complexities of affection and reason.
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    42 mins
  • The Battle of the Books - The puppet show

    The Battle of the Books - The puppet show
    Mar 8 2026
    In which the art of the puppet-show is employed as a cunning metaphor to reflect the follies and foibles of mankind, portraying life as a pageant of wooden figures manipulated by invisible strings. Through a satirical lens, the poem reveals how men, from princes to peasants, are but actors in a farcical display, their pretensions and passions no more than the movements of lifeless puppets.
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    4 mins