The Certain Hour

'The Certain Hour' is a sophisticated collection of short stories by James Branch Cabell, structured as a 'Dizain des PoÃtes'-ten tales centered on the lives and creative crises of various poets and writers throughout history. From William Shakespeare and Robert Herrick to Alexander Pope and Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Cabell explores the pivotal moment in an artist’s life when they must choose between the demands of their craft and the allure of earthly happiness.Blending historical fiction with Cabell’s signature wit and ironical style, the stories delve into the complexities of romantic obsession and the sacrifices inherent in the pursuit of literary immortality. Each narrative captures the unique voice and era of its protagonist while maintaining a cohesive philosophical inquiry into the nature of beauty and the burden of genius. 'The Certain Hour' remains a significant work in Cabell’s oeuvre, showcasing his profound understanding of the literary tradition and his unique ability to deconstruct the mythos of the great author.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.