Edgar Allan Poe: Alone (read by Basil Rathbone)

"Alone" is a 22-line poem, originally written in 1829 and left untitled and unpublished during Poe's lifetime. The original manuscript was signed "E. A. Poe" and dated March 17, 1829. In February of that year, Poe's foster mother Frances Allan had died. In September 1875, the poem, which had been in the possession of a family in Baltimore, was published with its title in Scribner's Monthly. The editor, E. L. Didier, also reproduced a facsimile of the manuscript, though he admitted he added the date himself. The poem is now often included in anthologies.

"Alone" is often interpreted as autobiographical, expressing the author's feelings of isolation and inner torment. Poet Daniel Hoffman believed "Alone" was evidence that "Poe really was a haunted man." The poem, however, is an introspective about Poe's youth, written when he was only 20 years old.

*Art by Edmund Dulac, music by Frederic Chopin (played by Vladimir Ashkenazy).

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*This video and others I have made of Edgar Allan Poe's poetry are widely used for study purposes by teachers and students . The video is not intended as a copyright violation. The video is being monetized by the copyright holder and not me. (See Disclaimer Below).

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[julianabastos]

From childhood’s hour I have not been
As others were—I have not seen
As others saw—I could not bring
My passions from a common spring—
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow—I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone—
And all I lov’d—I lov’d alone—
Then—in my childhood—in the dawn
Of a most stormy life—was drawn
From ev’ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still—
From the torrent, or the fountain—
From the red cliff of the mountain—
From the sun that ’round me roll’d
In its autumn tint of gold—
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass’d me flying by—
From the thunder, and the storm—
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view—

[christinemartin]

Holy Mother of God! What a voice! What a poem! What a ballade! Atmospheric ... and beautiful. Bra--vo!

[williampaulbeaugruendler]

Beautiful. This is EXACTLY WHAT YOUTUBE IS ALL ABOUT.

[tomsimmonds]

The voice compliments the poem, excellent post!👍

[Dr.Pepper]

Why don't you play the music a little louder so EVERYTHING can be drowned out.

[serahblair]

Now I’m imagining Holmes reciting this while smoking a pipe with Watson

[BHU]

I feel that this video deserve more view

[eddiereedbigband]

That is Basil Rathbone reading, of Sherlock Holmes fame.

[miladywinter]

Thank you very much for a few moments of miracle!!! ✨

[beasheerhan]

In this case music weakens the effect of this incredible voice - moreover, I don't think this particular prelude by Chopin has the character of this rhetoric. Still, this is an enjoyable video production. Thank you!

[utubeaccess]

What is with the music? Kills the mood.

[aguilarsanchezanacamilad]

Joder que video mas miserable y nefasto, eso no es de