![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
Leave a comment
no.damsel.in.distress.
if you must be a gentleman, you may protect the flower girl.
18 October 2008 @ 05:11 pm
Because I do not dog-ear book pages for nothing:
"Look here, Watson, you look regularly done. Lie down there on the sofa and see if I can put you to sleep."
He took up his violin from the corner, and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low, dreamy, melodious air--his own, no doubt, for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest face, and the rise and fall of his bow.
(The Sign of Four, The Adventure...)
--
"My God!" I whispered, "did you see it?"
Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed lik a vise upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh and put his lips to my ear.
"It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon."
(The Speckled Band, The Adventures...)
--
"The country police ought to make something of that," said he. "Why, it is surely obvious that--"
But I held up a warning finger.
"You are here for a rest, my dear fellow. For heaven's sake don't get started on a new problem when your nerves are all in shreds."
...It was destined, however, that all my professional caution should be wasted...
"Good morning, Colonel," said he. "I hope I don't intrude, but we hear that Mr. Holmes of Baker Street is here."
The colonel waved his hand towards my friend, and the inspector bowed.
"We thought that perhaps you would care to step across, Mr. Holmes."
"The fates are against you, Watson," said he, laughing... As he leaned back in his chair in the familiar attitude I knew that the case was hopeless.
(The Reigate Puzzle, The Memoirs...)
--
There was no mistaking the poise of the head, the squareness of the shoulders, the sharpness of the features. The face was turned half-round, and the effect was that of one of those black silhouettes, which our grandparents loved to frame. It was a perfect reproduction of Holmes. So amazed was I that I threw out my hand to make sure that the man himself was standing beside me. He was quivering with silent laughter.
"Well?" said he.
"Good heavens!" I cried. "It is marvelous."
(The Empty House, The Return...)
--
"It is a little difficult to know what to do, Watson," said he, at last. "My own inclinations are to push this inquiry on, for we have already lost so much time that we cannot afford to waste another hour. On the other hand, we are bound to inform the police of the discovery, and to see that this poor fellow's body is looked after."
"I could take a note back."
"But I need your company and assistance."
(The Priory School, The Return...)
--
...The thick, warm air of the conservatory and the rich, choking fragrance of exotic plants took us by the throat. He seized my hand in the darkness and led me swiftly past banks of shrubs, which brushed against our faces... Still holding my hand in one of his, he opened a door, and I was vaguely conscious that we had entered a large room in which a cigar had been smoked not long before.
(Charles Augustus Milverton Adventure, The Return...)
--
...Far from feeling guilty, I rejoiced and exulted in our dangers. With a glow of admiration I watched Holmes unrolling his case of instruments and choosing his tool with the calm, scientific accuracy of a surgeon who performs a delicate operation. I knew that opening safes was a particular hobby with him, and I understood the joy... Finally I heard a click, the broad green door swung open, and inside I had a glimpse of a number of paper packets, each tied, sealed, and inscribed. Holmes picked one out, but it was hard to read by the flickering fire, and hew drew out his little dark lantern, for it was too dangerous, with Milverton in the next room, to switch on the electric light. Suddenly I saw him halt, listen intently, and then in an instant he had swung the door of the safe to, picked up his coat, stuffed his tools into the pockets, and darted behind the window curtain, motioning me to do the same.
It was only when I had joined him there that I heard what had alarmed his quick senses...
So far I had not dared to look out, but now I gently parted the division of the curtain in front of me and peeped through. From the pressure of Holmes' shoulder against mine, I knew that he was sharing my observations. Right in front of us, and almost within our reach, was the broad, rounded back of Milverton. It was evident that we had entirely miscalculated his movements...
I felt Holmes' hand steal into mine and give me a reassuring shake, as if to say that the situation was within his powers, and that he was easy in his mind.
(Charles Augustus Milverton Adventure, The Return...)
--
"...See here, Captain Crocker, we'll do this in due form of law. You are the prisoner. Watson, you are a British jury, and I never met a man who was more eminently fitted to represent one. I am judge. Now, gentleman of the jury, you have heard the evidence. Do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"
"Not guilty, my lord," said I.
"Vox populi, vox Dei. You are acquitted, Captain Crocker."
(Abbey Grange, The Return...)
======
Shorter (but more loaded):
"By Jove! If he really wants someone to share the rooms and the expense, I am the very man for him. I should prefer having a partner to being alone."
--Dr. John Watson, A Study in Scarlet
"As I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the *Study in Scarlet*, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the blind."
--Dr. John Watson, Scandal in Bohemia
Holmes: "You are not very vulnerable from above."
Mr. Merryweather: "Nor from below."
--Red-Headed League
"Now, Watson. You'll come with me, won't you? ...My room at the Cedars is a double-bedded one."
--Sherlock Holmes, The Man with the Twisted Lip
"Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, but it's the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you."
--Sherlock Holmes, The Speckled Band
"Come at once if convenient - if inconvenient come all the same. S.H."
--Sherlock Holmes' telegram to Watson, The Greek Interpreter
"I must have a peep through that, Watson. If you bend your back and support yourself upon the wall, I think that I can manage."
--Sherlock Holmes, The Priory School
"There are the wheels, Watson. Quick, man, if you love me! And don't budge, whatever happens - whatever happens, do you hear? Don't speak! Don't move! Just listen with all your ears."
--Sherlock Holmes, Dying Detective
"I have been beaten four times - three times by men, and once by a woman."
--Sherlock Holmes, Five Orange Pips
"Suddenly, however, as we neared our destination he seated himself opposite to me--we had a first-class carriage to ourselves--and laying a hand upon each of my knees he looked into my eyes with the peculiarly mischievous gaze which was characteristic of his more imp-like moods."
--Dr. John Watson, Thor Bridge
=====
Watson's fondness for adjectives in reference to Holmes' hands:
"His hands were invariably blotted with ink and stained with chemicals, yet he was possessed of extraordinary delicacy of touch..." -- A Study in Scarlet
"With his long, white, nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle and rolled back his left shirtcuff." -- The Sign of Four
"On the contrary, he put his finger-tips together, and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair, like one who has a relish for conversation." -- The Sign of Four
"'For me,' said Sherlock Holmes, 'there still remains the cocaine-bottle.' And he stretched his long white hand up for it." -- The Sign of Four
"All afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the music..." --The Red-Headed League
=====
Extra:
The Top 10 reasons why Watson loved hanging out with Holmes
(by Miss Roylott)
10. Holmes lets him have all the babes.
9. It's useful having a roommate who knows how many steps there are up to your lodgings.
8. There's no better exercise in humility than being constantly berated about your intelligence, writing, and observational skills by a man whom most chronologists agree is two years younger than you and has no college degree.
7. There's lots of beautiful ladies swooning into your arms when they come to consult Holmes about a distressing case.
6. Even if Holmes is a master boxer, marksman, and swordsman, it's no problem feeling more macho than him because of his cross-dressing and effeminate hanging around in a dressing gown.
5. Hey, Holmes fixed Watson up with his first wife, didn't he?
4. If he berates you about tobacco and race horse gambling, you can berate him about tobacco, cocaine, morphine, etc.
3. Holmes is handy should you ever need to haggle a Jewish pawnbroker for a violin.
2. When you and your lady are holding hands on the lawn and watching him crawl with a lantern across the roof "like an enormous glow-worm", you can say, "He's a bit eccentric; I'm the normal one."
1. He and you can do all the ejaculating in front of each other that you want!
References (from one-liners onwards, because yes, I encounter many of these things):
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropoli
http://geocities.com/TelevisionCity/8827/v
"Look here, Watson, you look regularly done. Lie down there on the sofa and see if I can put you to sleep."
He took up his violin from the corner, and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low, dreamy, melodious air--his own, no doubt, for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest face, and the rise and fall of his bow.
(The Sign of Four, The Adventure...)
--
"My God!" I whispered, "did you see it?"
Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed lik a vise upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low laugh and put his lips to my ear.
"It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon."
(The Speckled Band, The Adventures...)
--
"The country police ought to make something of that," said he. "Why, it is surely obvious that--"
But I held up a warning finger.
"You are here for a rest, my dear fellow. For heaven's sake don't get started on a new problem when your nerves are all in shreds."
...It was destined, however, that all my professional caution should be wasted...
"Good morning, Colonel," said he. "I hope I don't intrude, but we hear that Mr. Holmes of Baker Street is here."
The colonel waved his hand towards my friend, and the inspector bowed.
"We thought that perhaps you would care to step across, Mr. Holmes."
"The fates are against you, Watson," said he, laughing... As he leaned back in his chair in the familiar attitude I knew that the case was hopeless.
(The Reigate Puzzle, The Memoirs...)
--
There was no mistaking the poise of the head, the squareness of the shoulders, the sharpness of the features. The face was turned half-round, and the effect was that of one of those black silhouettes, which our grandparents loved to frame. It was a perfect reproduction of Holmes. So amazed was I that I threw out my hand to make sure that the man himself was standing beside me. He was quivering with silent laughter.
"Well?" said he.
"Good heavens!" I cried. "It is marvelous."
(The Empty House, The Return...)
--
"It is a little difficult to know what to do, Watson," said he, at last. "My own inclinations are to push this inquiry on, for we have already lost so much time that we cannot afford to waste another hour. On the other hand, we are bound to inform the police of the discovery, and to see that this poor fellow's body is looked after."
"I could take a note back."
"But I need your company and assistance."
(The Priory School, The Return...)
--
...The thick, warm air of the conservatory and the rich, choking fragrance of exotic plants took us by the throat. He seized my hand in the darkness and led me swiftly past banks of shrubs, which brushed against our faces... Still holding my hand in one of his, he opened a door, and I was vaguely conscious that we had entered a large room in which a cigar had been smoked not long before.
(Charles Augustus Milverton Adventure, The Return...)
--
...Far from feeling guilty, I rejoiced and exulted in our dangers. With a glow of admiration I watched Holmes unrolling his case of instruments and choosing his tool with the calm, scientific accuracy of a surgeon who performs a delicate operation. I knew that opening safes was a particular hobby with him, and I understood the joy... Finally I heard a click, the broad green door swung open, and inside I had a glimpse of a number of paper packets, each tied, sealed, and inscribed. Holmes picked one out, but it was hard to read by the flickering fire, and hew drew out his little dark lantern, for it was too dangerous, with Milverton in the next room, to switch on the electric light. Suddenly I saw him halt, listen intently, and then in an instant he had swung the door of the safe to, picked up his coat, stuffed his tools into the pockets, and darted behind the window curtain, motioning me to do the same.
It was only when I had joined him there that I heard what had alarmed his quick senses...
So far I had not dared to look out, but now I gently parted the division of the curtain in front of me and peeped through. From the pressure of Holmes' shoulder against mine, I knew that he was sharing my observations. Right in front of us, and almost within our reach, was the broad, rounded back of Milverton. It was evident that we had entirely miscalculated his movements...
I felt Holmes' hand steal into mine and give me a reassuring shake, as if to say that the situation was within his powers, and that he was easy in his mind.
(Charles Augustus Milverton Adventure, The Return...)
--
"...See here, Captain Crocker, we'll do this in due form of law. You are the prisoner. Watson, you are a British jury, and I never met a man who was more eminently fitted to represent one. I am judge. Now, gentleman of the jury, you have heard the evidence. Do you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty?"
"Not guilty, my lord," said I.
"Vox populi, vox Dei. You are acquitted, Captain Crocker."
(Abbey Grange, The Return...)
======
Shorter (but more loaded):
"By Jove! If he really wants someone to share the rooms and the expense, I am the very man for him. I should prefer having a partner to being alone."
--Dr. John Watson, A Study in Scarlet
"As I passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the *Study in Scarlet*, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the blind."
--Dr. John Watson, Scandal in Bohemia
Holmes: "You are not very vulnerable from above."
Mr. Merryweather: "Nor from below."
--Red-Headed League
"Now, Watson. You'll come with me, won't you? ...My room at the Cedars is a double-bedded one."
--Sherlock Holmes, The Man with the Twisted Lip
"Very sorry to knock you up, Watson, but it's the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she retorted upon me, and I on you."
--Sherlock Holmes, The Speckled Band
"Come at once if convenient - if inconvenient come all the same. S.H."
--Sherlock Holmes' telegram to Watson, The Greek Interpreter
"I must have a peep through that, Watson. If you bend your back and support yourself upon the wall, I think that I can manage."
--Sherlock Holmes, The Priory School
"There are the wheels, Watson. Quick, man, if you love me! And don't budge, whatever happens - whatever happens, do you hear? Don't speak! Don't move! Just listen with all your ears."
--Sherlock Holmes, Dying Detective
"I have been beaten four times - three times by men, and once by a woman."
--Sherlock Holmes, Five Orange Pips
"Suddenly, however, as we neared our destination he seated himself opposite to me--we had a first-class carriage to ourselves--and laying a hand upon each of my knees he looked into my eyes with the peculiarly mischievous gaze which was characteristic of his more imp-like moods."
--Dr. John Watson, Thor Bridge
=====
Watson's fondness for adjectives in reference to Holmes' hands:
"His hands were invariably blotted with ink and stained with chemicals, yet he was possessed of extraordinary delicacy of touch..." -- A Study in Scarlet
"With his long, white, nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle and rolled back his left shirtcuff." -- The Sign of Four
"On the contrary, he put his finger-tips together, and leaned his elbows on the arms of his chair, like one who has a relish for conversation." -- The Sign of Four
"'For me,' said Sherlock Holmes, 'there still remains the cocaine-bottle.' And he stretched his long white hand up for it." -- The Sign of Four
"All afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the music..." --The Red-Headed League
=====
Extra:
The Top 10 reasons why Watson loved hanging out with Holmes
(by Miss Roylott)
10. Holmes lets him have all the babes.
9. It's useful having a roommate who knows how many steps there are up to your lodgings.
8. There's no better exercise in humility than being constantly berated about your intelligence, writing, and observational skills by a man whom most chronologists agree is two years younger than you and has no college degree.
7. There's lots of beautiful ladies swooning into your arms when they come to consult Holmes about a distressing case.
6. Even if Holmes is a master boxer, marksman, and swordsman, it's no problem feeling more macho than him because of his cross-dressing and effeminate hanging around in a dressing gown.
5. Hey, Holmes fixed Watson up with his first wife, didn't he?
4. If he berates you about tobacco and race horse gambling, you can berate him about tobacco, cocaine, morphine, etc.
3. Holmes is handy should you ever need to haggle a Jewish pawnbroker for a violin.
2. When you and your lady are holding hands on the lawn and watching him crawl with a lantern across the roof "like an enormous glow-worm", you can say, "He's a bit eccentric; I'm the normal one."
1. He and you can do all the ejaculating in front of each other that you want!
References (from one-liners onwards, because yes, I encounter many of these things):
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropoli
http://geocities.com/TelevisionCity/8827/v
Current Mood: 
dirty
dirtyCurrent Music: The Minnow & the Trout - A Fine Frenzy
05 October 2008 @ 07:55 pm
The brain likes to simplify things, and I cannot bond with my other journal because it doesn't have the Eowyn. And the Multiply blog service is just lousy. Also, there's something about there being a whinny spouse, so...
I haven't been writing much. My obsession with anything Sherlock Holmes, however distant (like, say, doing a marathon of House after finding out it was Holme-inspired), is keeping me busy. Thank goodness for thick books, fag hags and the internet. Yes, I have been very busy reading literature and... "literature". Nope, this guilty pleasure will never die.
Something random: bento! And chopsticks. It's the kind of thing one does for a loved one. Someday, when I'm working, I shall prepare myself lots of lovely bento boxes.
I haven't been writing much. My obsession with anything Sherlock Holmes, however distant (like, say, doing a marathon of House after finding out it was Holme-inspired), is keeping me busy. Thank goodness for thick books, fag hags and the internet. Yes, I have been very busy reading literature and... "literature". Nope, this guilty pleasure will never die.
Something random: bento! And chopsticks. It's the kind of thing one does for a loved one. Someday, when I'm working, I shall prepare myself lots of lovely bento boxes.
Current Mood: 
bored
bored27 June 2008 @ 09:02 pm
I'm putting this journal on dormant archival mode. Because it's messed up. God even agrees.
I'll be defriending everyone, so apologies for the upcoming notifications. It's something I have to do when I won't be using the journal anymore. It's a logical step, I swear. For those who like keeping their profiles page clean, feel free to defriend as well. =)
I'll be off bouncing around elsewhere. While I'm off floating, I can still be reached through email, yes? And when you comment on this entry, it goes to me still, so there's that.
03 February 2008 @ 11:57 am
THE OBLATION
by: Algernon Charles Swinburne
Ask nothing more of me, sweet,
All I can give you I give
Heart of my heart, were it more,
More would be laid at your feet:
Love that should help you to live,
Song that should spur you to soar.
All things were nothing to give
Once to have sense of you more,
Touch you and taste of you, sweet,
Think you and breathe you and live,
Swept of your wings as they soar,
Trodden by chance of your feet.
I that have love and no more
Give you but love of you, sweet;
He that hath more, let him give;
He that hath wings, let him soar;
Mine is the heart at your feet
Here, that must love you to live.
by: Algernon Charles Swinburne
Ask nothing more of me, sweet,
All I can give you I give
Heart of my heart, were it more,
More would be laid at your feet:
Love that should help you to live,
Song that should spur you to soar.
All things were nothing to give
Once to have sense of you more,
Touch you and taste of you, sweet,
Think you and breathe you and live,
Swept of your wings as they soar,
Trodden by chance of your feet.
I that have love and no more
Give you but love of you, sweet;
He that hath more, let him give;
He that hath wings, let him soar;
Mine is the heart at your feet
Here, that must love you to live.
27 September 2007 @ 08:53 am
![[info]](http://stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
trackburst made me clean up my old journals because she's being a right neurotic brat over the number of her friends or something weird like that. I defriended everyone while I was at it, so those old journals will only be for me now. Everyone is still in the latest one, so just a head's up in case someone thinks someone defriended them out of dislike. Nooo. ♥16 August 2007 @ 02:16 pm
THE AMULET OF LOVE
Michelangelo and Tommaso
Far more than I was wont myself I prize:
With you within my heart I rise in rate,
Just as a gem engraved with delicate
Devices o'er the uncut stone doth rise;
Or as a painted sheet exceeds in price
Each leaf left pure and in its virgin state:
Such then am I since I was consecrate
To be the mark for arrows from your eyes.
Stamped with your seal I'm safe where'er I go,
Like one who carries charms or coat of mail
Against all dangers that his life assail
Nor fire nor water now may work me woe;
Sight to the blind I can restore by you,
Heal every wound, and every loss renew.
Michelangelo and Tommaso
Far more than I was wont myself I prize:
With you within my heart I rise in rate,
Just as a gem engraved with delicate
Devices o'er the uncut stone doth rise;
Or as a painted sheet exceeds in price
Each leaf left pure and in its virgin state:
Such then am I since I was consecrate
To be the mark for arrows from your eyes.
Stamped with your seal I'm safe where'er I go,
Like one who carries charms or coat of mail
Against all dangers that his life assail
Nor fire nor water now may work me woe;
Sight to the blind I can restore by you,
Heal every wound, and every loss renew.
20 July 2007 @ 04:02 pm
MAS MATALINO ANG TUBIG
Rio Alma
Mas matalino ang tubig;
Bumababa ito nang tahimik
Mulang bukal sa bundok
Para di magising ang mga hayop.
Lumilihis ito sa marahas na bato
Para agnasin nang marahan at sekreto;
Nagtatago ito kapag galit ang araw
Para bumalik na masayang ulan.
Marunong din itong matakot sa talon,
Magtiwala sa lilim ng kahoy,
Magsuspetsa sa talampakang maputik,
At mamahinga kapag nag-iisip.
Ang tubig na matalino'y
Dumadaloy nang yuko ang ulo
Ngunit nag-iiwan ng mayamang bakas
Bago sumanib sa dagat.
WATER IS SMARTER
(Translation by Marne Kilates)
Water is smarter;
Quietly it descends
From its spring in the mountains
So as not to wake the beasts.
It avoids harsh rocks, only
To wear them away slowly, in secret;
It hides when the sun is furious
Only to come back as cheerful rain.
It knows how to fear heights,
It can trust the shade of trees,
Or distrust mud-caked feet,
And take a bit of rest to think.
Smart, clever-minded water
Flows humbly, with bowed head;
But it leaves richness in its wake
Before it joins the sea.
Rio Alma
Mas matalino ang tubig;
Bumababa ito nang tahimik
Mulang bukal sa bundok
Para di magising ang mga hayop.
Lumilihis ito sa marahas na bato
Para agnasin nang marahan at sekreto;
Nagtatago ito kapag galit ang araw
Para bumalik na masayang ulan.
Marunong din itong matakot sa talon,
Magtiwala sa lilim ng kahoy,
Magsuspetsa sa talampakang maputik,
At mamahinga kapag nag-iisip.
Ang tubig na matalino'y
Dumadaloy nang yuko ang ulo
Ngunit nag-iiwan ng mayamang bakas
Bago sumanib sa dagat.
WATER IS SMARTER
(Translation by Marne Kilates)
Water is smarter;
Quietly it descends
From its spring in the mountains
So as not to wake the beasts.
It avoids harsh rocks, only
To wear them away slowly, in secret;
It hides when the sun is furious
Only to come back as cheerful rain.
It knows how to fear heights,
It can trust the shade of trees,
Or distrust mud-caked feet,
And take a bit of rest to think.
Smart, clever-minded water
Flows humbly, with bowed head;
But it leaves richness in its wake
Before it joins the sea.
Current Mood: 
busy
busy17 June 2007 @ 08:45 am
Going back to old favorites. ♥
Maksim playing Nostradamus and Vanessa Mae playing The Devil's Thrill.
Current Mood: 
pleased
pleased13 June 2007 @ 10:54 am
THE LEGEND BEAUTIFUL
(THE THEOLOGIAN'S TALE)
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(THE THEOLOGIAN'S TALE)
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Hads't thou stayed, I must have fled!"
That is what the Vision said.
In his chamber all alone,
Kneeling on the floor of stone,
Prayed the Monk in deep contrition
For his sins of indecision,
Prayed for greater self-denial
In temptation and in trial;
It was noonday by the dial,
And the Monk was all alone.
Suddenly, as if it lightened,
An unwonted splendor brightened
All within him and without him
In that narrow cell of stone;
And he saw the Blessed Vision
Of our Lord, with light Elysian
Like a vesture wrapped about him,
Like a garment round him thrown.
Not as crucified and slain,
Not in agonies of pain,
Not with bleeding hands and feet,
Did the Monk his Master see;
But as in the village street,
In the house or harvest-field,
Halt and lame and blind he healed,
When he walked in Galilee.
In an attitude imploring,
Hands upon his bosom crossed,
Wondering, worshipping, adoring,
Knelt the Monk in rapture lost.
Lord, he thought, in heaven that reignes
Who am I, that thus thou deignest
To reveal thyself to me?
Who am I, that from the centre
Of thy glory thou shouldst enter
This poor cell, my guest to be?
Then amid his exaltation,
Loud the convent bell appalling,
From its belfry calling, calling,
Rang through court and corridor
With persistent iteration
He had never heard before.
It was now the appointed hour
When alike in shine or shower,
Winter's cold or summer's heat,
To the convent portals came
All the blind and halt and lame,
All the beggars of the street,
For their daily dole of food
Dealt them by the brotherhood;
And their almoner was he
Who upon his bended knee,
Rapt in silent ecstasy
Of divinest self-surrender,
Saw the Vision and the Splendor.
Deep distress and hesitation
Mingled with his adoration;_
Should he go, or should he stay?
Should he leave the poor to wait
Hungry at the convent gate,
Till the Vision passed away?
Should he slight his radiant guest,
Slight this visitant celestial,
For a crowd of ragged, bestial
Beggars at the convent gate?
Would the Vision there remain?
Would the Vision come again?
Then a voice within his breast
Whispered, audible and clear
As if to the outward ear:
"Do thy duty; that is best;
Leave unto thy Lord the rest!"
Straightway to his feet he started,
And with longing look intent
On the Blessed Vision bent,
Slowly from his cell departed,
Slowly on his errand went.
At the gate the poor were waiting,
Looking through the iron grating,_
With that terror in the eye
That is only seen in those
Who amid their wants and woes
Hear the sound of doors that close,
And of feet that pass them by;
Grown familiar with disfavor,
Grown familiar with the savor
Of the bread by which men die!
But to-day, they knew not why,
Like the gate of Paradise
Seemed the convent sate to rise,
Like a sacrament divine
Seemed to them the bread and wine.
In his heart the Monk was praying,
Thinking of the homeless poor,
What they suffer and endure;
What we see not, what we see;
And the inward voice was saying:
"Whatsoever thing thou doest
To the least of mine and lowest,
That thou doest unto me!"
Unto me! but had the Vision
Come to him in beggar's clothing,
Come a mendicant imploring,
Would he then have knelt adoring,
Or have listened with derision,
And have turned away with loathing.
Thus his conscience put the question,
Full of troublesome suggestion,
As at length, with hurried pace,
Towards his cell he turned his face,
And beheld the convent bright
With a supernatural light,
Like a luminous cloud expanding
Over floor and wall and ceiling.
But he paused with awe-struck feeling
At the threshold of his door,
For the Vision still was standing
As he left it there before,
When the convent bell appalling,
From its belfry calling, calling,
Summoned him to feed the poor.
Through the long hour intervening
It had waited his return,
And he felt his bosom burn,
Comprehending all the meaning,
When the Blessed Vision said,
"Hadst thou stayed, I must have fled!"
11 June 2007 @ 08:48 pm
INVICTUS
William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud;
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the Shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall fine me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud;
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the Shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall fine me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
Current Mood: 
morose
morose27 May 2007 @ 10:09 pm
THE MORE LOVING ONE
by W. H. Auden
Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.
How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.
Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.
Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.
Current Mood: 
full
full