The King in Yellow audiobook by Robert W. Chambers (1865-1933)

The King in Yellow audiobook by Robert W. Chambers (1865-1933) Robert W. Chambers (1865-1933) studied art in Paris in the late 80′s and early 90′s, where his work was displayed at the Salon. However, shortly after returning to America, he decided to spend his time in writing. He became popular as the writer of a number of romantic novels, but is now best known as the author of "The King In Yellow". This is a collection of the first half of this work of short stories which have an eerie, other-worldly feel to it; but the stories in the second half are essentially love stories, strongly coloured by the author's life as an artist in France. Only the first half of the collection of stories is presented here: the earlier stories are all coloured by the background presence of a play, "The King In Yellow" itself, which corrupts those who read it, and opens them to horrible experiences and to visions of a ghastly other world, lit by dark stars and distorted skies. This half of the collection is completed by a few very short pieces and two rather strange and beautiful stories of love and time, loneliness and death. (summary by Peter Yearsley)

RUE BARRÉE

RUE BARRÉE

"For let Philosopher and Doctor preach

Of what they will and what they will not,—each

Is but one link in an eternal chain

That none can slip nor break nor over-reach."

"Crimson nor yellow roses nor

The savour of the mounting sea

Are worth the perfume I adore

That clings to thee.

The languid-headed lilies tire,

The changeless waters weary me;

I ache with passionate desire

Of thine and thee.

There are but these things in the world—

Thy mouth of fire,

Thy breasts, thy hands, thy hair upcurled

And my desire."

THE STREET OF OUR LADY OF THE FIELDS

THE STREET OF OUR LADY OF THE FIELDS

"Et tout les jours passés dans la tristesse

Nous sont comptés comme des jours heureux!"

THE STREET OF THE FIRST SHELL

THE STREET OF THE FIRST SHELL

"Be of Good Cheer, the Sullen Month will die,

And a young Moon requite us by and by:

Look how the Old one, meagre, bent, and wan

With age and Fast, is fainting from the sky."

THE STREET OF THE FOUR WINDS II

II

"It is fortunate," said Severn, sitting up and stretching, "that we have tided over the dinner hour, for I have nothing to offer you for supper but what may be purchased with one silver franc."

THE STREET OF THE FOUR WINDS I

THE STREET OF THE FOUR WINDS

"Ferme tes yeux à demi,

Croise tes bras sur ton sein,

Et de ton cœur endormi

Chasse à jamais tout dessein."

THE PROPHETS' PARADISE

THE PROPHETS' PARADISE