Richard Burton reads the haunting poem 'The hound of Heaven' by Francis Thompson

The lines of the poem as wel as some background information on the poet can be found here:

http://www.umilta.net/hound.html

I copied this superb interpretation from a 1978 LP record of which you can see part of the sleeve at the very beginning of the video. The record contains many more superbly read poems of Donne, Marlowe, Ralegh, Shakespeare, Betjeman a.o. The interpretation is just as personal as the selection.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Poetry
• Richard
• Burton
• Hound
• of
• Heaven
• Francis
• Thompson

[LookOnBeauty]

This is glorious - how I would love to have his reading of Cynara......this man's musical voice brings back many memories of a very different age. Thank you so much for this.

[metrisch]

@LookOnBeauty

Do you mean Ernest Dowson's poem "Non sum qualis eram bonae sub regno Cynarae"? First line: "Last night, ah, yesternight, betwixt her lips and mine..."

If that's the one I can upload it for you.

[LookOnBeauty]

@metrisch

I do indeed mean that glorious poem - it would be so kind of you - I haven't heard it for a long time - thank you SO much :)

[metrisch]

@LookOnBeauty

Hello,

I tried to send you a message through your channel but your friend lock is enabled.. Can you temporarily give me acces? My message contains info that I do not want to reveal here. Pse advise. Thanks.

[likeaslowburn]

any chance of uploading the whole album? thanks

[metrisch]

It has crossed my mind but I am busy converting a lot of other material from vynil to mp3. This takes time. Besides, I am also doing some poetry reading myself of work by Dutch and Flemish poets (in Dutch). But I will keep your suggestion in mind. Thank you for your reaction.

[DrMUNCHnCRUNCH]

My Grandfather was in the RAF with Richard. He couldn't stand him. Said he was too cocky. I thought it was funny.

[paulpellicci]

...beautiful poem read by the master.....thanks

[hummudi]

Burton's voice is interesting to hear, a very engaging voice. But poetry should be recited slower than this...

[happytosing1]

No. It should be read thoughtfully.

[loggats]

@happytosing1 this is how i think it should be read

[loggats]

great reading

[dfrost7]

Great link! Rare material, thanks. Not so enthusiastic about Burton's reading.This poem can pull your heart right out of your chest. Profound quality of Thompson's transparency ... can hardly let phrases pass through my mind without choking up. A mistake to think one had an encounter with this work from Burton's reading. "...trying to see how fast he can read it." RB expressing an out-of-breath race, not the most passionate pursuit in all of history, which is the theme of this masterpiece.

[happytosing1]

This is horrible. Sounds like he is trying to see how fast he can read it.

[Scorched70twink]

@TheAslan1975

awareness and willfulness perhaps

[Scorched70twink]

@kevinastraw I agree I woant to slow him down and absorb the meaning as I am of a reflective disposition,and slow to feel the words when Burton hurries as a hound and does not realy give of himself on this one.Perhaps.

Fliss