WRITTEN IN DISGUST OF VULGAR SUPERSTITION The church bells toll a melancholy round, Calling the people to some other prayers, Some other gloominess, more dreadful cares, More harkening to the sermon’s horrid sound. Surely the mind of man is closely bound In some black spell; seeing that each one tears Himself from fireside joys, and Lydian airs, And… Read on
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822): The fountains mingle with the rivers And the rivers with the oceans, The winds of heaven mix forever With a sweet emotion; Nothing in the world is single; All things by a law divine In one spirit meet and mingle Why not I with thine? See the mountains kiss high heaven And the waves… Read on
On this day in 1775, one of the greatest novelists in the English language, Jane Austen, was born. In celebration of the great lady’s birthday, here are some excerpts from her novels: From Sense & Sensibility: “They gave themselves up wholly to their sorrow, seeking increase of wretchedness in every reflection that could afford it, and resolved against… Read on
Thomas Bulfinch (1796–1867). Age of Fable: Vols. I & II: Stories of Gods and Heroes. 1913. XI. Cupid and Psyche A CERTAIN king and queen had three daughters. The charms of the two elder were more than common, but the beauty of the youngest was so wonderful that the poverty of language is unable to express its due praise. The fame… Read on
Andrea Zuvich 26th April 2004 In the portrait by Tintoretto entitled: “Portrait of Woman – Veronica Franco,” one can hardly mistake the soft, sensual flesh that surrounds those two intelligent-looking eyes. The painting’s muse was indeed as intelligent and poetic as she was beautiful and fascinating. She was, arguably, the most talented of the courtesan-poets of her time,… Read on
I’m an unabashed romantic, and I’m writing this because very few people nowadays will openly admit to being romantic, as they think it makes them “uncool.” I don’t like how many relationships revolve around text speak like “ur hot, i miss u lotz.” Once upon a time, the equivalent would have been: “To my glorious Adonis-like love, whose… Read on
Not one writer has touched my heart and satiated my intellect as William Shakespeare has. Since I was a little girl, I have loved his sonnets, his plays, his themes, and the emotional resonance of them all. I am proud to say I’ve read the Complete Works entirely at least twice. Born in Stratford-Upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England, William… Read on