The poem
Do you remember an Inn, Miranda? Do you remember an Inn? And the tedding and the bedding Of the straw for a bedding, And the fleas that tease in the High Pyrenees, And the wine that tasted of tar? And the cheers and the jeers of the young muleteers (Under the vine of the dark veranda)? Do you remember an Inn, Miranda, Do you remember an Inn? And the cheers and the jeers of the young muleteers Who hadn't got a penny, And who weren't paying any, And the hammer at the doors and the din? And the hip! hop! hap! Of the clap Of the hands to the swirl and the twirl Of the girl gone chancing, Glancing, Dancing, Backing and advancing, Snapping of the clapper to the spin Out and in-- And the ting, tong, tang of the guitar! Do you remember an Inn, Miranda? Do you remember an Inn?
Never more; Miranda, Never more. Only the high peaks hoar; And Aragon a torrent at the door. No sound In the walls of the halls where falls The tread Of the feet of the dead to the ground, No sound: But the boom Of the far waterfall like doom.
At last I have found the rest of the words to this poem which I learned from my teacher, John Masterson, during my childhood and has always been in my mind.
I'm reciting this poem for a speech exam later this year...and i'm trying to find out what it's about!! i have no idea, really confused! If someone can find the time it would be great if they could email me or post a comment or something to give me a bit of an idea what this poem is about!! thanks so so much...;)
Ah what a masterpiece! This poem captures the rhythm, beauty, and passion of the dance of the same name. I can smell the vinyards of Tuscany and taste the chianti, I can hear the mandolino, and savour la cultura Italiana!
A really beautiful poem, but I think the following correcton should be made - "And the tedding and the SPREADING of the straw for a bedding"...
It has been suggested in various web sites that I, Miranda Mackintosh, am the original Miranda to whom Hillaire Belloc refers in his poem 'Tarantella'. This is not true. Hillaire Belloc was a life long friend of my father, Hugh Mackintosh, and our family. In 1929, when I was two years old, he wrote it out on vellum and gave it to me as a present. In an accompanying letter to my father he explained that the poem had…
Read the whole commentIt has been suggested in various web sites that I, Miranda Mackintosh, am the original Miranda to whom Hillaire Belloc refers in his poem 'Tarantella'. This is not true. Hillaire Belloc was a life long friend of my father, Hugh Mackintosh, and our family. In 1929, when I was two years old, he wrote it out on vellum and gave it to me as a present. In an accompanying letter to my father he explained that the poem had evolved over twenty years and that the poem he had given me was not the final version, nor indeed the one that he preferred, but that it had the merit of being the original one. It has been suggested by a distinguished historian that the Miranda referred to could have been the mayor of a small Spanish town with whom Belloc often went hunting.
Dear Sir / Madam,
Having asked a friend to post my comments on Tarantella on your website I have noticed an error. I would be grateful if you could correct my friend's spelling of the name Hilaire as she has inadvertantly spelt it with two 'l's. With thanks, Miranda Mackintosh
I went to a school called Cockshut Hill, Sheldon, Birmingham, England and remember learning this poem circa 1954. The whole class of approx 40 pupils recited it in rhythm - sometimes slow sometimes faster with some phrazes in stacoto - wonderful.
I remember it as 'tedding and the spreading of the straw for a bedding'
Ron Peel
Tarantella
I am now in my 50's and learned the majority of this poem in my secondary school when I was just 11 - from my English teacher Jill Weightman, now sadly departed.
For some reason, I do not remember us ever learning the last few lines - or am I too old to remember we knew them??!! A beautifuly rhythmic poem - and yes, the dance stands out!!!!
missing article
"...and the wine that tasted of tar..." Every print of the poem on the internet reads like this. Why the omission of "the" before "tar"? Look at the poem as originally printed; listen to Belloc reciting it; listen to the rhythm - it needs that "the"!...And the wine that tasted of the tar...much better. And correct.
Do you remember an inn?
Fine poem. But get it right: ... tedding and spreading of the straw ...