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Phantasmagoria and Other Poems

by Lewis Carroll (1832–1898)

  • Free to read
  • 50 min read
  • 7 chapters
  • Reading level: 6th grade

"Phantasmagoria and Other Poems" by Lewis Carroll is a poetry collection first published in 1869. The title poem presents a whimsical dialogue between a man named Tibbets and a ghost who has invaded his home. Through seven cantos, Carroll reveals an elaborate ghost society complete with hierarchies, etiquette rules, and bureaucratic protocols. The Phantom explains his job of haunting, his fear of light, and his noble lineage while requesting beer and complaining about his host's hospitality. This playful narrative explores how the supernatural world mirrors human society's absurdities.

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  • English poetry · 19th century
  • Ghosts
  • Fantasy poetry, English

Read the opening

Canto I: The Trystyng

ONE winter night, at half-past nine,
Cold, tired, and cross, and muddy,
I had come home, too late to dine,
And supper, with cigars and wine,
Was waiting in the study.

There was a strangeness in the room,
And Something white and wavy
Was standing near me in the gloom—
I took it for the carpet-broom
Left by that careless slavey.

But presently the Thing began
To shiver and to sneeze:
On which I said “Come, come, my man!
That’s a most inconsiderate plan.
Less noise there, if you please!”

“I’ve caught a cold,” the Thing replies,
“Out there upon the landing.”
I turned to look in some surprise,
And there, before my very eyes,
A little Ghost was standing!

He trembled when he caught my eye,
And got behind a chair.
“How came you here,” I said, “and why?
I never saw a thing so shy.
Come out! Don’t shiver there!”

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Contents

  1. Canto I: The Trystyng
  2. Canto II: Hys Fyve Rules
  3. Canto III: Scarmoges
  4. Canto IV: Hys Nouryture
  5. Canto V: Byckerment
  6. Canto VI: Dyscomfyture
  7. Canto VII: Sad Souvenaunce

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About this edition

This free edition of Phantasmagoria and Other Poems by Lewis Carroll comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #651, released 1996-09-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Poetry, Humour, British Literature.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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