Victor Plarr is one of those poets who is most often identified with just one poem. This is not to say that he didn't write many poems, or that only one of those that he did write had merit. In fact, he was a well-known and well-regarded poet in his day, whose first collection of poems, In the Dorian Mood, was widely acclaimed when it was published in 1886. He was also a founder of the Rhymers' Club, a somewhat iconoclastic group of young poets that included W.B. Yeats, John Davidson, and Lionel Johnson. They met in London during the period from 1891 to 1894.

It just happens that Plarr wrote one poem that really "made it," so to speak; that is still known and loved by English poetry buffs; and more importantly, that is still appreciated, almost 75 years after his death, by people who read it for the first time.

This poem, as you can see, has a fancy Latin name, which is part of the fun. For it is a fun poem, despite the fact that its name translates roughly into "funeral oration played on a lute." Not everyone will appreciate this poem. But those who have had a female friend who loved life, flaunted conventions, was always up for a good time, and was true to her friends and lovers, will enjoy it. So if you love, or have loved such a person, enjoy this poem. It was written for her.