Quotes from book
Trilby

Trilby

Trilby is a novel by George du Maurier and one of the most popular novels of its time. Published serially in Harper's Monthly from January to August 1894, it was published in book form on 8 September 1895 and sold 200,000 copies in the United States alone. Trilby is set in the 1850s in an idyllic bohemian Paris. The late nineteenth century novelist George Gissing read the "notorious" novel in May 1896 with "scant satisfaction". Though Trilby features the stories of two English artists and a Scottish artist, one of the most memorable characters is Svengali, a rogue, masterful musician and hypnotist.


George du Maurier photo

“A little work, a little gay
To keep us going—and so good-day!

A little warmth, a little light
Of love’s bestowing—and so, good-night.

A little fun, to match the sorrow
Of each day’s growing—and so, good-morrow!

A little trust that when we die
We reap our sowing—and so—good-bye!”

Trilby (1894). Compare:
:PEU DE CHOSE
La vie est vaine,
Un peu d’amour,
Un peu de haine,
Et puis—Bonjour!

La vie est brève:
Un peu d’espoir,
Un peu de rève
Et puis—Bon soir!
::Léon de Montenaeken; translated by Louise Chandler Moulton as:
:Ah, brief is Life,
Love’s short sweet way,
With dreamings rife,
And then—Good-day!

And Life is vain—
Hope’s vague delight,
Grief’s transient pain,
And then—Good-night.

George du Maurier photo

Similar authors

George du Maurier photo
George du Maurier 2
French-British cartoonist and author 1834–1896
Jules Renard photo
Jules Renard 1
French author (1864-1910)
Napoleon I of France photo
Napoleon I of France 259
French general, First Consul and later Emperor of the French
Joseph Conrad photo
Joseph Conrad 127
Polish-British writer
François-René de Chateaubriand photo
François-René de Chateaubriand 28
French writer, politician, diplomat and historian
Eugène Delacroix photo
Eugène Delacroix 50
French painter
Anatole France photo
Anatole France 122
French writer
Sarah Bernhardt photo
Sarah Bernhardt 11
French actress
Alfred de Musset photo
Alfred de Musset 4
French writer