Lavengro · Chapter
XLVIII explained
The narrator reflects on his anxious prospects in London, weighing options like translating for the Armenian, becoming a porter, or enlisting as a soldier, but rejecting each.
What happens
The narrator reflects on his anxious prospects in London, weighing options like translating for the Armenian, becoming a porter, or enlisting as a soldier, but rejecting each. He considers a last attempt to publish his ballads and Ab Gwilym translations, but finds publishers unyielding. Francis Ardry visits, offers a loan of a hundred pounds, and proposes a plan to escort a Frenchwoman to Bagnigge Wells or Brighton, which the narrator declines.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom vs. Convention
The narrator rejects conventional paths like soldiering or porters, and declines Francis Ardry's plan for diversion, seeking a more independent literary path.
Philology and Learning
The narrator reflects on his translations of Danish ballads and Ab Gwilym, emphasizing his preservation of alliterative euphony and original fire.
Characters to notice
- Lavengro
Anxious about his future, rejects offers of work and a loan from Francis Ardry.
- Francis Ardry
Visits the narrator, offers a loan of a hundred pounds, and proposes a plan to escort a Frenchwoman to Bagnigge Wells.
- The Armenian
Mentioned as having offered the narrator work translating the Haik Esop, but the narrator declines due to fear of mistreatment.
Key passages
“Anxious thoughts frequently disturbed me at this time with respect to what I was to do, and how support myself in the Great City.”
I was often troubled by worries about my future and how I would survive in London.
The narrator's anxiety about his financial and professional prospects is introduced.
“I thought that I would make a last and desperate attempt to dispose of the ballads and of Ab Gwilym.”
I decided to make one final effort to sell my translations of the ballads and Ab Gwilym.
The narrator's determination to publish his literary work despite previous rejections.
“I never heard a more foolish plan, said I, or one less likely to terminate profitably or satisfactorily.”
I told Francis Ardry that his proposal seemed unwise and unlikely to end well.
The narrator rejects Francis Ardry's offer of a loan and the plan to escort a Frenchwoman.