Hours of Idleness was Byron's first book of poems published when he was only 19. In it he experiments with various poetic styles and provides translations of, and poems written in imitation of, earlier mainly classical poets.
The book received strong criticism on publication to which Byron responded with his poem English Bards and Scotch Reviewers.
(Summary by Alan Mapstone)
Chapters
1
Preface Read by Alan Mapstone 3:30
2
On a distant view of the Village and School of Harrow on the Hill Read by Alan Mapstone 3:00
3
Epitaph on a Friend Read by quartertone 1:58
4
A Fragment Read by quartertone 0:58
5
The Tear Read by nighthawks 4:58
6
An occasional Prologue Read by De Anna Lee 3:01
7
On the Death of Mr. Fox Read by Alan Mapstone 3:14
8
Stanzas to a Lady, with the Poems of Camoens Read by KevinS 1:10
9
The first Kiss of Love Read by Larry Wilson 2:10
10
To M------ Read by Hope 1:32
11
To Woman Read by Hope 1:16
12
To M. S. G. Read by Hope 1:16
13
To a beautiful Quaker Read by SaintAndrewHolyFool 3:36
14
To -------- Read by SaintAndrewHolyFool 3:00
15
To Mary, on receiving her Picture Read by EODOD 2:06
16
Love's last Adieu Read by dc 3:35
17
Damaetas Read by De Anna Lee 1:15
18
To Marion Read by KevinS 3:10
19
Oscar of Alva Read by CDixon2022 15:11
20
TRANSLATIONS and IMITATIONS: Adrian's Address to his Soul, when dying Read by Alan Mapstone 0:46
21
Translation Read by Inkell 0:31
22
Translation from Catullus Read by GaleHall 1:43
23
Translation from the Epitaph of Virgil and Tibullus Read by Inkell 0:34
24
Translation from Catullus Read by GaleHall 1:47
25
Imitated from Catullus Read by czandra 0:57
26
Translation from Anacreon. To his Lyre Read by Inkell 1:19
27
Translation from Anacreon. Ode 3 Read by GaleHall 2:57
28
Fragments of School Exercises Read by dc 1:13
29
Episode of Nisus and Euryalus Read by Inkell 19:35
30
Translation from the Medea of Euripides Read by Alan Mapstone 3:40
31
FUGITIVE PIECES: Thoughts suggested by a College Examination Read by dc 4:30
32
Answer to some elegant Verses, sent by a Friend to the Author Read by czandra 3:31
33
Grant, a Medley Read by Mathias Thorndal 6:03
34
Lachin Y. Gair Read by Mathias Thorndal 3:15
35
To Romance Read by Mathias Thorndal 4:19
36
Elegy on Newstead Abbey Read by Alan Mapstone 11:40
37
Childish Recollections Read by KevinS 24:06
38
The Death of Calmar and Orla Read by Alan Mapstone 12:58
39
To E. N. L. Esq. Read by Inkell 4:30
40
To -------- Read by Alan Mapstone 3:05
From LibriVox, read by volunteers and in the public domain. LibriVox page (opens librivox.org) , the text (opens archive.org) , all files on the Internet Archive (opens archive.org) .
