Mervyn Peake Quotes

English author and illustrator (1911–1968)

Mervyn Laurence Peake (9 July 1911 – 17 November 1968) was an English novelist, artist, poet and illustrator. He is best known for what are usually referred to as the Gormenghast books, though the Titus books would be more accurate.

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Alternative Names: Mervyn Laurence Peake • Mervyn L. Peake • Mervyn Lawrence Peake

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O'er seas that have no beaches
To end their waves upon,
I floated with twelve peaches,
A sofa and a swan.

But we have seen it in the air,
A fairy like a William Pear

Each day I live in a glass room
Unless I break it with the thrusting
Of my senses and pass through
The splintered walls to the great landscape.

There is a kind of laughter that sickens the soul. Laughter when it is out of control: when it screams and stamps its feet, and sets the bells jangling in the next town. Laughter in all its ignorance and cruelty. Laughter with the seed of Satan in it. It tramples upon shrines; the belly-roarer. It roars, it yells, it is delirious: and yet it is as cold as ice. It has no humour. It is naked noise and naked malice.

The paper is breathless Under the hand And the pencil is poised Like a warlock's wand.