Bound in half-leather folder

Component identifier:

Item 94

Content Summary:

Contains amongst others:

Script of poem: 'The bar-room patriot'. 3pp. fcp. Signed by Dennis from his address at that time, 17 Hastings Road, Upper Hawthorn, Victoria.

It also contains typescript of 'Ingavar', a poem written after a weekend at 'Sunnyside', accompanied by autograph letter from Mrs Gwen Eastaugh to Chaplin, relating the circumstances. The poem is a skit upon Gye, Low and Dennis himself, in which Garry Roberts is labelled as 'The Lord High Potte'. Other typescripts are of poems 'Ecce Homo', and 'The tents of Toolangi'. Included also are copies of letters by A.R. Chisholm to Mrs Gwen Eastaugh, the daughter of Garry Roberts. Also letters from Mrs Eastaugh to Chaplin.

NOTE. The principal characters in the epic poem 'Ingavar' (the name of a property acquired by Garry Roberts for his son Frank to cultivate) were the 'Davlo Owl', the 'Halgi Tit', the 'Denawk' and the 'Lord High Potte' (Garry Roberts). A few lines:

'Loud laughed ye mocking deadwode tree;

Goe search y neere, and seeke ye far,

I wot in vaine your quest will bee

For him, ye Potte of Ingavar.

In armoud clad and cap-a-pie

Ye stoute Sir Hal rode thro' the glen

And by hys side wi' flashing eye

Rode gallantlee ye Lorde of Den.

Now glances of ye wayside lass

Drew downe that gaze that searched afar,

As they rodedowne thro' Sassafrasse

To seeke ye Potte of Ingavar...'

Strange that Dennis should have included David Low in the poem, for he had only once visited 'Sunnyside'.

The poem 'Beef tea' in The sentimental bloke was written by Dennis as a tribute to Mrs J.G. (Garry) Roberts of 'Sunnyside'. Dennis always referred to her as his 'guardian angel'.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The collection was purchased from Harry Chaplin in 1981.

Names:

Chaplin, Harry F.

Access and use