Henry Austin Dobson

1840-1921

 

Henry Austin Dobson is buried in the Westminster Cemetery, Uxbridge Rd, Hanwell, Middlesex, England. (Grave number 7800 behind the gatehouse).
 

Grave of Henry Dobson
Photograph by Andy Whitfield

Dobson was born in Plymouth on 18th Jan 1840. He was the son of an engineer and was educated at Beaumaris Grammar School and in Strasbourg.

At the age of 16 he joined the Board of Trade and worked there until his retirement in 1901- rising to the position of Principal in the Harbour Department.

He is particularly remembered for his use of French verse forms such as the chant royal, the virelai nouveau, the triolet and the rondel. He also had a great interest in 18th Century French society and was accomplished at writing vers de société.

Dobson's poetry collections include Vignettes in Rhyme, Proverbs in Porcelain and At the Sign of The Lyre.

The poem below is a thirteen line rondel.

Love comes back to his vacant dwelling, -
   The old, old Love that we knew of yore!
   We see him stand by the open door,
With his great eyes sad, and his bosom swelling.
 
He makes as though in our arms repelling,
   He fain would lie as he lay before;-
Love comes back to his vacant dwelling,
   The old, old Love that we knew of yore!
 
Ah, who shall help us from over-spelling
   That sweet, forgotten, forbidden lore!
   E'en as we doubt in our heart once more,
With a rush of tears to our eyelids welling,
Love comes back to his vacant dwelling.

The Wanderer

 

 


 

 

 
 
 
 

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