Oscar+Wilde's+Hélas

Oscar Wilde’s (1854-1900) Hélas -published in //Poems// in 1881 (http://www.bartleby.com/br/143.html) -aesthetic poem -title is the French word for alas; it was not uncommon for Wilde to give his poems French titles -explores the theme of decadence (moral or cultural decline due to excessive indulgence) []

ONB -Irish

Oscar Wilde’s (1854-1900) poem, “Hélas” was published in 1881 in a book of his of poems titled //Poems,// which was published at publisher, David Bogue’s, own expense. //Poems// sold four editions or two hundred and fifty copies (ONB). Many of the poems within //Poems// are now considered to be social documents, providing commentary on politics, theater, and cosmopolitanism of the time (ONB).