"able was i till i saw elba", who said this and in what context?

Answer 1

poem by Corwin Everglade

Able was I ere I saw Elba

Able was I ere I saw Elba.

I saw you in dreams

In the setting sun,

By glistening streams

In the billowing breeze

All smiles and fun.


There before me I saw Elba.

As the waters flow'd

And the oceans swell'd

In a dark ship's hold

I awaited you

Rocking my dreams to bed


Night and day I saw Elba,

Saw nought but your burning sands

I tried to see through to your heart

Yet I had but your face in my hands.


Able was I before Elba

Till I'd chosen this way.

I never knew what I wanted

To this day

I knew not who I awaited

in my dreams,

Who it was that frolick'd

in those streams.


When I was thrown upon Elba

I only knew

I wanted a ladder to heaven

or wings that flew.


Yet your beauty I turned to see

Leaving all behind,

Leaving faith and goodness both

For your eyes could blind.

But I never saw you then

even in my dreams

I sought you by the rushes (then)

Hoping you would scream.


Whene'er I passed an island

I always paused to see

If behind that mask and veil

Elba beckon'd me.

Often have I wonder'd,

But never light of day

Into Elba's forest

Could ever cut its way.

Answer 2

Napoleon said this (according to may write ups)but I doubt it he did not write or speak English he may have known the language.

He was all French.

It is a Riddle that reads the same both ways back to front and front to back.

Elba is the name of the Island on which he was prisoned, it was also a name of a girl on the Island, or possibly his(much younger) companion (servant), who may have provided care in his dieing days, when he was weak and fragile as he groove old and helpless.

Answer 3

As someone else mentioned this is a palindrome (a word of phrase that is spelled the same backwards & Forwards) and it is credited to Napoleon. I very doubt he was composing palindromes in English. His native language was Italian and he only spoke French with a thick Corsican accent. He despised the English and the thought that he was composing palindromes in English makes a nice story but is highly unlikley.

Answer 4

actually the quote is "able was I ere I saw elba" which is a palindrome. (same fron either end.)

Answer 5

Napoleon did speak some broken English but he wasn't very good at it. French was not his first language. Italian was. He was also fluent in Russian

Answer 6

it was napolean at the battle of elba. it was said like "i was able until i reached elba.