DRAMA 2:
The Ancient Epic and the Balanced Line
The Expedition against Humbaba from the Epic of Gilgamesh
Narrator: When
Gilgamesh, Lord of Uruk, spoke - and announced his plan
Enkidu's eyes filled with tears - his heart was heavy,
Bitterly he sighed - and he wept,
His heart was heavy - and he sighed bitterly.
Addressing him - Gilgamesh spoke:
Gilgamesh: Friend, your eyes - why are they filled with tears?
And your heart heavy - that you sigh so?
Nar: Then Enkidu opened his mouth - he
spoke to Gilgamesh:
Enkidu: Friend, the terror of it - chokes at
my throat,
My arms are strengthless - I am overwhelmed.
Nar: Gilgamesh
opened his mouth - spoke to rally Enkidu:
Gilg: In the
Forest Humbaba lives - great he is and fierce
But together we will slay him - we will drive evil
from the land!
Nar: Then Enkidu
opened his mouth - explained to Gilgamesh:
Enk: Friend, in
the hills I knew it - when I still ran with wild beasts.
The Forest stretches for days - who would dare enter
it?
Humbaba roars like the storm - his mouth is fire, his
jaws are death!
Why do you think to do such a thing? - Impossible to
match is Humbaba!
Nar: Gilgamesh opened his mouth - and spoke to Enkidu:
Gilg: Though Humbaba is great - and fierce in the Forest
Together we will slay him - we will drive evil from
the land;
We will be victors in the Forest - and fell the cedars
on its mountains!
Nar: Enkidu opened his mouth - he spoke to
Gilgamesh:
Enk: How can we venture - into the Cedar
Forest?
Its keeper is that gross warrior - irresistible, never
sleeping.
To safeguard the Forest - Enlil appointed him, a
terror to men.
Humbaba roars like the storm - his mouth is fire, his
jaws are death!
If a wild cow moves in the forest - if it were 60
leagues away he hears it.
Who is there would venture - into the Cedar Forest?
To safeguard the cedars - Enlil appointed him, a
terror to men.
Who would enter there ? - Terror takes all who
approach it!
Nar: Gilgamesh
opened his mouth - said to Enkidu:
Gilg: Who can climb the sky? - Only the Gods in the land of the Sun live forever!
As for us men, our days are fixed - all our work is
like a breath of wind.
And you are scared of death - where is your power now?
Let me go first then and scout - I will call out to
you "advance! All is clear!"
And men will say - "Gilgamesh was not slow to
tackle the terrible Humbaba!"
When the child of my child is born - he will know that
of me!
My hand will not be slow - I will fell the cedars.
And if I perish - still my name must survive.
But your reluctance - I will not accept.
Friend, we will seek out the smith - he will make
weapons to arm us.
Nar:So they went
to the smith - with the workmen they discussed their weapons.
Adzes were made for them - weighty axes were cast
And they cast mighty swords - heavy the blades!
So Gilgamesh and Enkidu were provided - with famous
weapons.
At the gate of Uruk - with its seven bolts
The counsellors gathered - the elders of broad-streeted
Uruk.
And they sat down before their king - and listened
As Gilgamesh opened his mouth - and spoke to them:
Gilg: I will see this wonder - they speak of.
Though he is terror to men - I will vanquish him in
the Forest!
I will demonstrate there - the strength of the King of
Uruk.
My hand will not be slow - I will fell the cedars.
And if I perish - still my name must survive.
Nar: Then the elders of broad-streeted Uruk - spoke their reply to Gilgamesh:
Elders: You are but
young, Gilgamesh - your enterprise could be deemed rash.
What you are taking on - you can little know.
Wonders are told of Humbaba - who can stand up to him?
The Forest stretches for days - who would dare enter
it?
Humbaba roars like the storm - his mouth is fire, his
jaws are death.
Why do you think to do such a thing? - Impossible to
match is Humbaba!
Nar: But when Gilgamesh heard this speech - he turned and smiled at Enkidu.
He opened his mouth - and said to Enkidu:
Gilg: Are they speaking from wisdom - or from terror?
Yet we will slay Humbaba - we will drive his evil from
the land.
We will be victors in the Forest - and fell the cedars
on its slopes.
Come, friend, let us go to the palace - and seek
Ninsun the Queen.
She is wise in all things - she will advise us how to
proceed.
Nar: Then with their hands interlocked - Gilgamesh and Enkidu went to the palace
Seeking audience of Ninsun - the Great Queen.
There Gilgamesh stepped forward - and made this address:
Gilg: Ninsun, listen! - I make bold to ask you.
I have a long journey to make - as far as the land of Humbaba.
I must travel an unknown road - and tackle a fierce opponent
When I reach the Cedar Forest - until I drive out the evil, hateful to Shamash.
From the day I go to the day I return - pray for me to Shamash!
Nar: Ninsun retired to her room - she dressed in her holy robes.
She put jewels on her breast - and the crown on her head.
She climbed the stairway - mounted to the roof of the palace,
She went to the altar of the Sun - and burned incense to Shamash
And as it smoked - lifted her arms to the God:
Ninsun: O Shamash, when you gave me Gilgamesh my son - why did
you shape hsi heart so restless?
Now you have moved him - to venture to the land of Humbaba,
To travel an unknown road - and tackle that fierce opponent.
When he reaches the Cedar Forest - until he drives out the evil you hate
From the day he goes to the day he returns - do not forget him!
Let the Dawn remind you of him each day - and commend him at evening to the
Watchers of the Night!
Nar: So she finished her offering - and called to Enkidu:
Nin: Courageous Enkidu, you are not my child - but now I adopt you.
You will be a new son - like a foundling brought to my temple.
Before my women I declare this - in the presence of the priestesses I avow it.
Serve Gilgamesh as your brother - protect him as your born brother.
Test the passes first where you go - and bring him through.
Nar: Then she placed tokens of gold - around the neck of Enkidu.
Then were brought in his weapons - the mighty swords given to Gilgamesh
And the bow and quiver - they placed in his hands.
He took the adzes - shouldered his quiver
And the bow from Anshan - the sword he fixed to his belt
So they should be ready - to start on the journey.
When the elders saw him decided - they spoke their blessing to Gilgamesh.
Eld: May your God guard you! - May He bring you back safely!
To the quayside of Uruk - may He bring you again!
Nar: Then Gilgamesh knelt before Shamash - these are the words he spoke:
Gilg: O Shamash, see me - I raise my arms in prayer:
May I go forward in safety - and return to the quayside of Uruk.
Look over me - give me your protection!
Nar: Then the people pressed round, saying - "When will you come back to the city?"
And the counsellors gave this advice - about the journey:
Eld: Gilgamesh, don't let your strength betray you - be vigilant and sure!
The one in front protects his comrade - the guide is a guard to his friend.
So let Enkidu lead the way - he knows the road to the Forest,
He has seen battle - and he is well tried in hardship.
Enkidu will guard his companion - and protect his friend.
Let him test the passes first - and bring you through.
We counsellors of Uruk entrust our King to you - Enkidu, bring him back safely to us!
Nar: And so the companions set out - Gilgamesh and Enkidu left Uruk together.
At 20 leagues they paused to eat - after another 30 they stopped for the night.
50 leagues they covered that day - in 3 days they made 6 weeks' progress.
And so they came to the Gate of the Forest - to the threshold of the land of Humbaba.
And Enkidu opened his mouth - and spoke to Gilgamesh:
Enk: Let us not enter the Forest! - The very touch of the Gate blasts my hand!
Nar: And Gilgamesh opened his mouth - and replied to Enkidu:
Gilg: Friend, are we to prove weaklings now? - Must we give up now we have
travelled so far?
Hold me - that your strength may return.
Stand with me friend - and we will advance together.
For I need you now - to guard and guide me.
And if we fall - still our names must survive.
Nar: So to the green mountains - they came together.
Then their voices were silenced - and they stood in awe.
They stopped still and gazed at the Forest - they saw the height of the Cedars.
They looked on the start of the Forest - where Humbaba walked the paths.
The way was straight - where they entered the Forest,
Before them the Mountain of Cedar - the throne of Ishtar.
From the face of the mountain - the cedars grew lofty and green.
Their shade was good - and delightful to walk in
And the brush provided cover - cover to rest in.
Then they clasped each other - and lay to rest.
Sleep overcame them - with the arrival of night.
Till at midnight Gilgamesh started awake - spoke to Enkidu his friend:
Gilg: Didn't you rouse me? - Why am I awake?
Oh Enkidu, my friend - What a dream I must have seen!
In my dream, oh friend - a mountain fell
And trapped me - covered my feet fast.
Then there was a blaze of light - a man came forward,
Bright and fair he was - He pulled me out,
He gave me water to drink - and quieted my heart.
He rescued me - and set me on my feet,
For I dreamt the mountain toppled - and smothered us like reed-flies!
Nar: Then he who was born in the wild land - Enkidu, spoke & explained it:
Enk: Friend, your dream is favourable - a precious message from the Gods.
For the mountain you saw is Humbaba - we shall seize him and kill him
And throw his carcass on the plains - for Shamash will help us.
Nar: On the next day - they advanced through the Forest.
At 20 leagues they paused to eat - after another 30 they stopped for the night.
They made their preparations - and their offerings for the night.
Then Gilgamesh set his chin on his knees - and sleep came to him as to all men.
Till in the middle of the night he started awake - spoke to Enkidu his friend:
Gilg: Didn't you rouse me? - Why am I awake?
Did you touch me that I woke? - Why am I startled?
Did some God go by? - Or why am I so shaken?
O Enkidu, my friend - what a dream I must have seen!
The heavens themselves gave a shout - and the earth echoed,
Daylight failed - darkness descended.
Lightning flashed out - like fire it raged.
The clouds grew huge - and rained death upon us!
Then the storm - glow vanished - and the fire died down
And someone turned all its power - to ashes.
For I dreamt the storm was upon us - and scattered us like barley!
Let us leave this spot - or explain to me the omen!
Nar: When Enkidu heard that dream - he spoke to Gilgamesh:
Enk: Friend, your dream is favourable - a precious message from the Gods.
For the storm you saw is Humbaba - we shall seize him and kill him
And this day we will throw his carcass on the plain - for Shamash will help us.
Nar: And that next day - they reached the heart of the Forest
And Gilgamesh grasped the axe in his hand - and set about felling the cedar.
But then Humbaba heard the noise - he became angry, he shouted:
Humbaba: Who has come - and hewed at the trees,
The growth of my mountains - who has felled the cedar?
Nar: Then Enkidu stood beside Gilgamesh - and spoke to him:
Enk: Remember now - what you said in Uruk!
Stand up and slay him - O King of Uruk!
Nar: And Gilgamesh heard his words - and stood ready.
Enk: Hurry, face up to him - before he can get away
And go into the woods - and be lost
For like a raging ox - he will run through the Forest!
Nar: And from the day-sky above them - Shamash spoke and addressed Gilgamesh:
Shamash: Have no fear - follow him now,
Take him - before he is lost in the woods!
Nar: Then Gilgamesh sought out Humbaba - and dared to face him,
And the Keeper of the Forest roared like the storm - his mouth was fire & his jaws death
And neither the weapons of Gilgamesh - nor the strength of his hands
Could completely overthrow him - but when he knew this he prayed to Shamash:
Gilg: I have undertaken this venture - I have travelled the road assigned,
O Shamash in the Heaven - listen and help me!
Nar: Then Shamash moved to help them - he sent the winds against Humbaba:
He sent the great wind, the north wind - and the storm wind & the shrill wind,
The tempest-wind and the hot wind - all the winds he sent together
And the winds rushed against Humbaba - and beat in his eyes
That he could not move forward - and could not move back
And caught in the greater power - Humbaba was defenceless and submitted.
He opened his mouth - and spoke to Gilgamesh:
Hum: Let me go, Gilgamesh - I pray for my release.
You will be my master - and I will serve you.
The trees I have grown - will be yours to cut down
And the cedars of the Forest - I will yield to you.
Nar: But Enkidu opened his mouth - spoke to Gilgamesh:
Enk: Remember what you said in Uruk - do not listen to the words of Humbaba
But slay him quickly - and drive the evil from the land.
Nar: Then Gilgamesh grasped the sword in his hand - and cut Humbaba down,
He hewed his head from his shoulders - and threw his body on the plain,
And there in the heart of the Forest - they felled the mighty cedars
In honour of Shamash - they cut down the Cedars of the Forest.
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
The 'Beatitudes', that open 'The Sermon on the Mount' are sometimes set, in the Bible, as verse, but are universally respected as an epitome of New Testament thought, that is, on a philosophical level, less often appreciated as poetry - the sole poem (it may be) from Jesus' own mouth that has come down to us. The clarity of the balanced verse ideally suits its content here; and note the climax in the last lines, where a more complex balancing structure is invoked. The text is found in Matthew ch.5, with an alternative version in Luke's gospel.
Blessed are the poor in spirit - for their's is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn - for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek - for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness - for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful - for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart - for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peace - makers - for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you - and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad - for great is your reward in heaven - for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
THE TE DEUM
This canticle of the Church was not composed until perhaps 400 AD, several generations after the Christanity had become the state religion of Rome, and many centuries after Christianity had left Judaism behind to embrace the Graeco - Roman world. Yet this text shuns consistency of classical metre or emergent rhyme to return to repetition and balance, in the Biblical, not as a mere gesture of rhetoric but as a basic structural posit. A deliberate forgery? Or a valid attempt to use past techniques to good effect?
Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
te aeternum patrem omnis terra veneratur.
tibi omnes angeli: tibi caeli et universae potestates:
tibi cherubin et seraphin incessabili voce proclamant. -
Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Deus sabaoth:
pleni sune caeli et terra maiestate gloriae tuae.
te gloriosus apostolorum chorus:
te phrophetarum laudabilis numerus:
te martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur ecclesia:
patrem immensae maiestatis:
venerandum tuum verum unigenitum filium:
sanctum quoque paraclitum spiritum.
tu rex gloriae Christe: tu patris sempiternus es filius.
tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem: non horruisti virginis uterum.
tu devicto mortis aculeo: aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
tu ad dexteram Dei sedens in gloria patris: iudex crederis esse venturus.
te ergo quaesimus tuis famulis subveni:
quos pretioso sanguine redemisti:
aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria munerari.
salvum fac populum tuum Domine: et benedic hereditati tuae.
et rege eos: et extolle illos usque in aeternum.
per singulos dies benedicimus te:
et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum et in saeculum saeculi.
dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire:
miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.
fiat misericordia tua Domine super nos: quemadmodum speravimus in te.
Thee the glorious choir of apostles:
Thou, King of Glory, Christ: you are Son co-eval with the Father.
Each day we bless Thee:
Opening of Fragment 'B'...
Let Elízur rejoice with the Partridge, who is a prisoner of state and is proud of his keepers...
[an interesting footnote has been supplied by Mark Grace:
Smart's Jubilate Agno contains the following lines in Opening of Fragment B:
The history of the Shelvock family can be further explored at http://www.geocities.com/gracefiles/shilvock.html]
Poet: O a new song, a free song,
Words! book - words! what are you?
I'll weave the chord and twine in,
Pennant: Come up here, bard, bard,
Child: Father what is that in the sky beckoning to me with long finger?
Father: Nothing my babe you see in the sky,
Poet: Fresh and rosy red the sun is mounting high,
But I am not the sea nor the red sun,
Child: O father it is alive - it is full of people - it has children,
Father: Cease, cease, my foolish babe,
Banner & Pennant: Speak to the child O bard out of Manhattan,
Poet: I hear and see not strips of cloth alone,
Banner and Pennant: Yet louder, higher, stronger, bard! yet farther, wider cleave!
Banner: Demons and death then I sing,
Poet: My limbs, my veins dilate, my theme is clear at last,
Thee, God, we praise: thee Lord we trust in:
Cherabim and Seraphim with unceasing voice adore. -
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts,
full are the heavens and the earth with the power of your glory.”
Thee the worthy host of prophets:
Father of immense power:
your venerable and true one-born Son:
and the Holy Ghost or Paraclite.
Thou to undertake the freeing of mankind: did not despise the virgin's womb.
Thou hast overcome the sting of death: and opened the Kingdom of heaven to believers.
You, sitting in glory on the right hand of God the Father: are certain to come again as Judge.
Thee therefore we beseech to help your servants:
whom you redeemed with your precious blood:
grant that they be rewarded in eternal glory with your saints.
Make your people secure, Lord: and bless your household.
And rule them: and raise them to eternal life.
and praise your name for ever and ever.
Grant, Lord, we be kept this day without sin:
have pity upon us, Lord, have pity on us.
Let your mercy be upon us, Lord: since we have trusted in Thee.
Christopher Smart: JUBILATE AGNO
For I am not without authority in my jeopardy, which I derive inevitably from the glory of the name of the Lord...
Let Shedeur rejoice with Pyráusta, who dwelleth in a medium of fire, which God hath adapted for him...
For I bless God whose name is Jealous - and there is a zeal to deliver us from everlasting burnings...
Let Shelúmiel rejoice with Olor, who is of goodly savour, and the very look of him harmonizes the mind...
For my existimation is good even amongst the slanderers and my memory shall arise for a sweet savour unto the Lord...
Let Jael rejoice with the Plover, who whistles for his life, and foils the marksmen and their guns...
For I bless the PRINCE of PEACE and pray that all the guns may be nail'd up, save such as are for the rejoicing days...
Let Raguel rejoice with the Cock of Portugal - God send good Angels to the allies of England!...
For I have abstained from the blood of the grape and that even at the Lord's table...
Let Hobab rejoice with Necýdalus, who is the Greek of a Grub...
For I have glorified God in GREEK and LATIN, the consecrated languages spoken by the Lord on earth...
Let Zúrisháddai with the Polish Cock rejoice - the Lord restore peace to Europe...
For I meditate the peace of Europe amongst family bickerings and domestic jars...
Let Zuar rejoice with the Guinea Hen - the Lord add to his mercies in the WEST!...
For the HOST is in the WEST - the Lord make us thankful unto salvation...
Let Chesed rejoice with Strepsíceros, whose weapons are the ornaments of his peace...
For I preach the very GOSPEL of CHRIST without comment and with this weapon I shall slay envy...
Let Hagar rejoice with Gnesion, who is the right sort of eagle, and towers the highest...
For I bless God in the rising generation, which is on my side...
Let Libni rejoice with the redshank, who migrates not but is translated to the upper regions...
For I have translated in the charity, which makes things better and I shall be translated myself at the last...
Let Nahshon rejoice with the Seabreeze, the Lord give the sailors of his Spirit...
For he that walketh upon the sea, hath prepared the floods with the Gospel of peace...
Let Helon rejoice with the Woodpecker - the Lord encourage the propagation of trees!...
For the merciful man is merciful to his beast, and to the trees that give them shelter...
Let Amos rejoice with the Coote - prepare to meet thy God, O Israel!...
For he hath turned the shadow of death into the morning, the Lord is his name...
Let Ephah rejoice with Bupréstis, the Lord endue us with temperance and humanity, till every cow have her mate!...
For I am come home again, but there is nobody to kill the calf or to pay the musick...
Let Sarah rejoice with the redwing, whose harvest is in the frost and snow...
For the hour of my felicity, like the womb of Sarah, shall come at the latter end...
Let Rébekah rejoice with the Ïynx, who hlds his head on one side to deceive the adversary...
For I shou'd have avail'd myself of waggery, had not malice been multitudinous...
Let Shuah rejoice with Boa, which is the vocal serpent...
For there are still serpents that can speak - God bless my head, my heart and my heel...
Let Éhud rejoice with Onocrótalus, whose braying is for the glory of God, because he makes the best musick in his power...
For I bless God that I am of the same seed as Éhud, Mútius Scævola, and Colonel Draper...
Let Shamgar rejoice with Otis, who looks about him for the glory of God, and sees the horizon compleat at once...
For the word of God is a sword on my side - no matter what other weapon, a stick or a straw...
Let Bohan rejoice with Scythian Stag - he is beef and breeches against want and nakedness...
For I have adventured myself in the name of the Lord, and he hath mark'd me for his own...
Let Achsah rejoice with the Pigeon who is an antidote to malignity and will carry a letter...
For I bless God for the Postmaster general and all conveyancers of letters under his care especially Allen and Shelvock... [see note below]
Let Tohu rejoice with the Grouse - the Lord further the cultivation of heaths & the peopling of deserts...
For my grounds in New Canaan shall infinitely compensate for the flats and maynes of Staindrop Moor...
Let Hillel rejoice with Ámmodýtes, whose colour is deceitful and he plots against the pilgrim's feet...
For the praise of God can give to a mute fish the notes of a nightingale...
Let Eli rejoice with Leucon - he is an honest fellow, which is a rarity...
For I have seen the White Raven and Thomas Hall of Willingham and am my self a greater curiosity than both...
Let Jemuel rejoice with Charádrius, who is from the HEIGHT and the sight of him is good for the jaundice...
For I look up to heaven which is my prospect to escape envy by mounting it ...
Let Pharaoh rejoice with Anatária, whom God permits to pray upon the ducks to check their increase...
For if Pharaoh had known Joseph, he would have blessed God and me for the illumination of the people...
Let Lotan rejoice with Sáuterelle. Blessed be the name of the Lord from the Lote-tree to the Palm...
For I pray God to bless improvements in gardening till London be a city of palm-trees...
Let Dishon rejoice with the Landrail, God give his grace to the society for preserving the game...
For I pray to give his grace to the poor of England, that Charity be not offended and that benevolence may increase...
Let Hushim rejoice with the King's Fisher, who is of royal beauty, though plebeian in size...
For in my nature I quested for beauty, but God, God hath sent me to sea for pearls...
Let Machir rejoice with Convólvulus, from him to the ring of Saturn, which is the girth of Job; to the signet of God - from Job and his daughters BLESSED BE JESUS...
For there is a blessing from the STONE of JESUS which is founded upon hell to the precious jewell on the right hand of God...
Let Atad bless with Éleos, the nightly Memorialist - eléison kýrië...
For the nightly Visitor is at the window of the impenitent, while I sing a psalm of my own composing...
Let Jamin rejoice with the Bittern - blessed be the name of Jesus for Denver Sluice, Ruston, and the draining of the fens...
For there is a note added to the scale, which the Lord hath made fuller, stronger and more glorious...
Let Ohad rejoice with Bytúros who eateth the vine and is a minister of temperance...
For I offer my goat as he browses the vine, bless the Lord from chambering and drunkeness...
Let Zohar rejoice with Cýchramus who cometh with the quails on a particular affair...
For there is a traveling for the glory of God without going to italy and France...
Let Serah, the daughter of Asher, rejoice with Ceyx, who maketh his cabin in the Halcyon's hold...
For I bless the children of Asher for the evil I did them and the good I might have received at their hands...
Let Mágdiel rejoice with Áscarídes, which is the life of the bowels - the worm hath a part in our frame...
For I rejoice like a worm in the rain in him that cherishes and from him that tramples...
Let Becher rejoice with Oscen who terrifies the wicked, as trumpet and alarm the coward...
For I am ready for the trumpet and alarm to fight, to die and rise again...
Let Shaul rejoice with Circos, who hath clumsy legs, but he can wheel it the better with his wings. -
For the banish'd of the Lord shall come about again, for so he hath prepar'd for them...
Let Hamul rejoice with the Crystal, who is pure and translucent...
For sincerity is a jewel which is pure and transparent, eternal and inestimable...
Let Zíphion rejoice with the Tit-Lark who is a groundling, but he raises the spirits...
For my hands and my feet are perfect as the sublimity of Náphtali and the felicity of Asher...
Let Mibzar rejoice with the Cadess, as is their number, so are their names, blessed be the Lord Jesus for them all...
For the names and number of animals are as the name and number of the stars...
Let Juhal rejoice with Cæcília, the woman and the slow-worm praise the name of the Lord...
For I pray the Lord Jesus to translate my MAGNIFICAT into verse and represent it...
Let Aródi rejoice with the Royston Crow, there is a society of them at Trumpington and Cambridge...
For I bless the Lord Jesus from the bottom of Royston Cave to the top of King's Chapel...
Let Aréli rejoice with the Criel, who is a dwarf that towereth above others...
For I am a little fellow, which is entitled to the great mess by the benevolence of God my father...
Let Phuvah rejoice with Platycerótës, whose weapons of defence keep them innocent...
For I this day made over my inheritance to my mother in consideration of her infirmities...
Let Shimron rejoice with the Kite, who is of more value than many sparrows...
For I this day made over my inheritance to my mother in consideration of her age...
Let Sered rejoice with the Wittal - a silly bird is wise unto his own preservation...
For I this day made over my inheritance to the mother in consideration of her poverty...
Let Elon rejoice with Attélabus, who is the Locust without wings...
For I bless the thirteenth of August, in which I had the grace to obey the voice of Christ in my conscience...
Let Jahleel rejoice with the Woodcock, who liveth upon suction and is pure from his diet...
For I bless the thirteenth of August, in which I was willing to run all hazards for the sake of the name of the Lord...
Let Shuni rejoice with the Gull, who is happy in not being good for food...
For I bless the thirteenth of August, in which I was willing to be called a fool for the sake of Christ...
Let Ezbon rejoice with Músimon, who is from the ram and she-goat...
For I lent my flocks and my herds and my lands at once unto the Lord...
Let Barkos rejoice with the Black Eagle, which is the least of his species and the best-natured...
For nature is more various than observation tho' observers be innumerable...
Let Bedan rejoice with Óssifrage - the bird of prey and the man of prayer...
For Agricola is Georgos, which is by the blessing of God Saint George
Let Naomi rejoice with Pséudosphéce who is between a wasp and a hornet...
For I pray to God to bless POLLY in the blessing of Naomi and assign her to the house of DAVID...
Let Ruth rejoice with the Tumbler - it is a pleasant thing to feed him and be thankful...
For I am in charity with the French who are my foes and Moabites because of the Moabitish women...
Let Ram rejoice with the Fieldfare, who is a good gift from God in the season of scarcity...
For my Angel is always ready at a pinch to help me out and to keep me up...
Let Manoah rejoice with Cerástus, who is a Dragon with horns...
For CHRISTOPHER must slay the Dragon with a PHEON's head...
Let Talmai rejoice with Alcédo, who makes a cradle for its young which is rock'd by the winds...
For they have separated me and my bosom, whereas the right comes by setting us together...
Let Bukki rejoice with the Buzzard, who is clever, with the reputation of a silly fellow...
For silly fellow! silly fellow! is against me and belongeth neither to me nor my family...
Let Michal rejoice with Leucrócuta who is a mixture of beauty and mananimity...
For he that scorneth the scorner hath condescended to my low estate...
Let Abiah rejoice with Morphnus who is a bird of passage to the Heavens...
For Abiah is the father of Joab and Joab of all Romans and English Men...
Let Hur rejoice with the Water-wag-tail, who is a neighbour, and loves to be looked at...
For they pass me by in their tour, and the good Samaritan is not yet come. -
Let Dodo rejoice with the Purple Worm, who is cloathed sumptuously, tho' he fares meanly...
For I bless God in the behalf of TRINITY COLLEGE in CAMBRIDGE and the society of PURPLES in LONDON...
Let Ahío rejoice with the Merlin who is a cousin german of the hawk...
For I have a nephew Christopher to whom I implore the grace of God...
Let Joram rejoice with the Water-Rail, who takes his delight in the river...
For I pray God bless the CAM - Mr HIGGS and Mr and Mrs WASHBOURNE as the drops of the dew...
Let Chíleab rejoice with Ophíon who is clean made, less than an hart, and a Sardinian...
For I pray God bless the king of Sardinia and make him an instrument of his peace...
Let Shephátiah rejoice with the little Owl, which is winged Cat...
For I am possessed of a cat, surpassing in beauty, from whom I take occasion to bless Almighty God...
Let Íthrëam rejoice with the great Owl, who understandeth that which he professes...
For I pray God for the Professors of the University of Cambridge to attend and to amend...
Let Ábigail rejoice with the Lethóphagus - God be gracious to the widows indeed...
For the Fatherless Children and Widows are never deserted of the Lord...
Let Ánanthoth bless with Saurix, who is a bird of melancholy...
For I pray God be gracious to the house of Stuart and consider their afflictions...
Let Shammus rejoice with the Vultur who is strength and fierceness...
For I pray God be gracious to the seed of Virgil, to Mr GOODMAN SMITH of King's and Joseph STUD...
Let Shobab rejoice with Evech who is of the goat kind which is meditation and pleasantry...
For I give God the glory that I am a son of Abraham a Prince of the house of my fathers...
Let Ittai the Gittite rejoice with the Gerfalcon - amicus certus in re incerta cernitur...
For my brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks that pass away...
Let Ibhar rejoice with the Pochard - a child born on prosperity is the chiefest blessing of peace...
For I bless God for my retreat at CANBURY, as it was the place of the nativity of my children...
Let Elíshua rejoice with Cantháris - God send bread and milk to the children...
For I pray to God to give them the food which I cannot earn for them any otherwise than by prayer...
Let Chimhan bless with Drepánis who is a passenger from the sea to heaven...
For I pray God bless the Chinese which are of ABRAHAM and the gospel grew with them at the first...
Let Toi rejoice with Percnópteros which haunteth the sugar-fens...
For I bless God in the honey of the sugar-cane and the milk of the cocoa...
Let Népheg rejoice with Cenchris which is the spotted serpent...
For I bless God in the libraries of the learned and for all the booksellers in the world...
Let Japhía rejoice with Butéo who hath three testicles...
For I bless God in the strength of my loins and for the voice which he hath made sonorous...
Let Gíbeon rejoice with the Puttock, who will shift for himself to the last extremity...
For 'tis no more a merit to provide for oneself, but to quit all for the sake of the Lord...
Let Elisháma rejoice with Mylæcos: “Stay your hand for the mill, you grinders; long may you sleep!...
For there is no invention but by the gift of God, & no grace like the grace of gratitude...
Let Elímelech rejoice with the Horn-Owl who is of gravity and amongst my friends in the tower...
For grey hairs are honourable and tell every one of them to the glory of God...
Let Eliáda rejoice with the Gier-eagle who is swift and of great penetration...
For I bless the Lord Jesus for the memory of GAY, POPE and SWIFT...
Let Elíphalet rejoice with Eródius who is God's good creature, which is sufficient for him...
For all good works are from GOD, and all others are cent...
Let Jonathan, David's nephew, rejoice with Oripelárgus who is noble by his ascent...
For I am enobled by my ascent and the Lord hath raised my above my Peers...
Let Sheva rejoice with the Hobby, who is the service of the great....
For I pray God bless my Lord CLARENDON and his seed for ever...
Let Áhimaaz rejoice with the Silver-Worm who is a living mineral....
For there is silver in my mines and I bless God that it is rather there than in my coffers...
Let Shobi rejoice with the Kastrel - blessed be the name JESUS on falconry and in the MALL...
For I blessed God in St James's Park till I routed all the company...
Let Élkanah rejoice with Cymíndis - the Lord illuminate us against the powers of darkness...
For the officers of the peace are at variance with me, and the watchman smites me with his staff...
Let Ziba rejoice with Glottis whose tongue is wreathed in his throat...
For I am the seed of the WELCH WOMAN and speak the truth from my heart...
Let Micah rejoice with the spotted Spider, who counterfeits death to effect his purposes...
For they lay wagers touching my life. - God be gracious to the winners...
Let Rizpah rejoice with the Eyed Moth who is beautiful in corruption...
For the piety of Rizpah is imitable in the Lord - wherefore I pray for the dead...
Let Náharai, Job's armour-bearer rejoice with Rock who is a bird of stupendous magnitude...
For the Lord is my ROCK and I am the bearer of his CROSS...
Let Abiézer, the Anéthothite, rejoice with Phrynos who is the scaled frog...
For I am like a frog in the brambles, but the Lord hath put his whole armour upon me...
Let Machon rejoice with Parcas who is a serpent more innocent than others ...
For I was a Viper-catcher in my youth and the Lord delivered me from his venom...
Let Lápidoth rejoice with Percnos - the Lord is the builder of the wall of CHINA - REJOICE!
For I rejoice that I attribute to God what others vainly ascribe to feeble man ...
Let Ahínoam rejoice Prester - The seed of the woman hath bruised the serpents head...
For I am ready to die for his sake - who layd down his life for all mankind...
Let Phurah rejoice with Penélope, the servant of Gideon with the fowl of the brook...
For the son of JOSHUA shall prevail against the servant of Gideon - Good men have their betters...
Let Jether, son of Gideon, rejoice with Écchetæ which are musical grasshoppers...
For my seed shall worship the Lord JESUS as numerous and musical as the grasshoppers of Paradise
Let Hushai rejoice with the Osprey who is able to parry the eagle...
For I pray God to turn the council of Ahitophel into foolishness...
Let Eglah rejoice with Phaláris who is a pleasant object upon the water...
For the learning of the Lord increases daily, as the sun is an improving angel...
Let Haggith rejoice with the white Weasel who devoureth the honey and it's maker...
For I pray God for a reformation amongst the women and the restoration of the veil....
Let Ábital rejoice with Ptyas who is arrayed in green and gold...
For beauty is better to look upon than to meddle with and tis good for a man not to know a woman...
Let Maacah rejoice with Drýophyte who was blessed of the Lord in the valley...
For the Lord Jesus made him a nosegay and blessed it and he blessed the inhabitants of flowers...
Let Zabud Solomon's friend rejoice with Oryx who is a frolicksome mountaineer...
For a faithful friend is the medicine of life, but a neighbour in the Lord is better than he...
Let Adóniram the receiver general of the excise rejoice with Hypnálë the sleepy adder...
For I stood up betimes in behalf of LIBERTY, PROPERTY, and NO EXCISE...
Let Pédahel rejoice with Pítyocámpa who eateth his house in the pine...
For they began with grubbing up my trees and now they have excluded the planter...
Let Ibzan rejoice with the Brandling - the Lord further the building of bridges and making rivers navigable...
For I am the Lord's builder and free and accepted MASON in CHRIST JESUS...
Let Gílead rejoice with the Gentle - the Lord make me a fisher of men...
For I bless God in all gums and balsams and every thing that ministers relief to the sick...
Let Zelóphehad rejoice with Áscalabótes who casteth not his coat till a new one is prepared for him...
For the Sun's at work to make me a garment and the Moon is at work for my wife...
Let Mahlah rejoice with Pellos who is a tall bird and stately...
For tall and stately are against me, but humiliation in humiliation is on my side...
Let Tirzah rejoice wth Tylus which is the Cheeslip and food for the chicken...
For I have a providential acquaintance with men who bear the names of animals...
Let Hoglah rejoice with Leontóphonos who will kill the lion, if he is eaten...
For I bless God to Mr Lion Mr Cock Mr Cat Mr Talbot Mr Hart Mrs Fysh Mr Grub, and Miss Lamb...
Let Milcah rejoice with the Horned Beetle who will strike a man in the face...
For they throw my horns in my face and reptiles make themselves wings against me...
Let Noah rejoice with Hibris who is from a wild boar and a tame sow...
For I bless God for the immortal soul of Mr Pigg of DOWNHAM in NORFOLK...
Let Abdon rejoice with the Glede who is very voracious and may not himself be eaten...
For I fast this day even the 31st of August New Style to prepare for the SABBATH of the Lord...
Let Zuph rejoice with Dipsas, whose bite causeth thirst...
For the bite of an Adder is cured by its greese and the malice of my enemies by their stupidity...
Let Schechem of Manásseh rejoice with the Green Worm whose livery is of the field...
For I bless God in SHIPBOURNE FAIRLAWN the meadows the brooks and the hills...
Let Gera rejoice with the Night Hawk - blessed are those who watcheth when others sleep...
For the adversary hath exasperated the very birds against me, but the Lord sustain'd me...
Let Anath rejoice with Rauca who inhabiteth the root of the oak...
For I bless God for my Newcastle friends, the voice of the raven and the heart of the oak...
Let Cherub rejoice with the Cherub who is a bird and a blessed Angel....
For I bless God for every feather from the wren in the sedge to the CHERUBS and their MATES...
"Let Achsah rejoice with the Pigeon who is an antidote to malignity and will carry a letter...
For I bless God for the Postmaster general and all conveyancers of letters under his care especially Allen and Shelvock..."
The name Shelvock refers to George Shelvock the son of Capt. George Shelvock. Capt. Shelvock was famous for his exploits and wrote the best selling 1726 book entitled "Voyage Around the World By Way of the Great South Seas performed in 1719, 20, 21, 22....", based on his exploits, partly as a privateer 1690-1728 (2nd edition 1757; reprinted 1951). In the book it alleged that HATLEY, a sailor on this expedition, was the Ancient Mariner who shot the Albatross in Coleridge's famous poem. His son George, who travelled with him, later became Secretary to the General Post Office from 1742 to his death in 1760.
These exploits are also retold in the recent book "The Speedwell Voyage" by Kenneth Poolman - The story based on the real-life adventures of George SHELVOCK, commander of the 22-gun privateer Speedwell that set sail in 1718 to steal treasure from Spanish ships in the South Seas. This is the only modern attempt to recount the epic voyage.
There are several reminiscences by the poet William WORDSWORTH concerning the above:
"Written at Alfoxden in the spring of 1798, under circumstances somewhat remarkable. The little girl who is the heroine I met within the area of Goodrich Castle in the year 1793. Having left the Isle of Wight and crossed Salisbury Plain, as mentioned in the preface to "Guilt and Sorrow," I proceeded by Bristol up the Wye, and so on to North Wales, to the Vale of Clwydd, where I spent my summer under the roof of the father of my friend, Robert JONES. In reference to this Poem I will here mention one of the most remarkable facts in my own poetic history and that of Mr. COLERIDGE. In the spring of the year 1798, he, my Sister, and myself, started from Alfoxden, pretty late in the afternoon, with a view to visit Lenton and the valley of Stones near it; and as our united funds were very small, we agreed to defray the expense of the tour by writing a poem, to be sent to the New Monthly Magazine set up by Phillips the bookseller, and edited by Dr. AIKIN. Accordingly we set off and proceeded along the Quantock Hills towards Watchet, and in the course of this walk was planned the poem of the "Ancient Mariner," founded on a dream, as Mr. COLERIDGE said, of his friend, Mr. CRUIKSHANK. Much the greatest part of the story was Mr. COLERIDGE'S invention; but certain parts I myself suggested:--for example, some crime was to be committed which should bring upon the old Navigator, as COLERIDGE afterwards delighted to call him, the spectral persecution, as a consequence of that crime, and his own wanderings. I had been reading in SHELVOCK'S Voyages a day or two before that while doubling Cape Horn they frequently saw Albatrosses in that latitude, the largest sort of sea-fowl, some extending their wings twelve or fifteen feet. "Suppose," said I, "you represent him as having killed one of these birds on entering the South Sea, and that the tutelary Spirits of those regions take upon them to avenge the crime." The incident was thought fit for the purpose and adopted accordingly. I also suggested the navigation of the ship by the dead men, but do not recollect that I had anything more to do with the scheme of the poem. The Gloss with which it was subsequently accompanied was not thought of by either of us at the time; at least, not a hint of it was given to me, and I have no doubt it was a gratuitous afterthought. We began the composition together on that, to me, memorable evening."...
Walt Whitman: SONG OF THE BANNER AT DAYBREAK
Flapping, flapping, flapping, flapping, by sounds, by voices clearer,
By the wind's voice and that of the drum,
By the banner's voice and child's voice and sea's voice and father's voice,
Low on the ground and high in the air,
On the ground where father and child stand,
In the upward air where their eyes turn,
Where the banner at daybreak is flapping.
Words no more, for hearken and see,
My song is there in the open air, and I must sing,
With the banner and pennant a - flapping.
Man's desire and babe's desire, I'll twine them in, I'll put in life,
I'll put the bayonet's flashing point, I'll let the bullets and slugs whizz,
(As one carrying a symbol and menace far into the future,
Crying with trumpet voice, "Arouse and beware! Beware and arouse!")
I'll pour the verse with streams of blood, full of volition, full of joy,
Then loosen, launch forth, to go and compete,
With the banner and pennant a-flapping.
Come up here, soul, soul,
Come up here, dear little child,
To fly in the clouds and winds with me, and play with the measureless light.
And what does it say to me all the while?
And nothing at all to you it says - but look you my babe,
Look at these dazzling things in the houses, and see you the money-shops opening,
And see you the vehicles preparing to crawl along the streets with goods;
These, ah these, how valued and toil'd for these!
How envied by all the earth!
On floats the sea in distant blue careering through its channels,
On floats the wind over the breast of the sea setting in toward land,
The great steady wind from west or west-by-south,
Floating so buoyant with milk-white foam on the waters.
I am not the wind with girlish laughter,
Not the immense wind which strengthens, not the wind which lashes,
Not the spirit that ever lashes its own body to terror and death,
But I am that which unseen comes and sings, sings, sings,
Which babbles in brooks and scoots in showers on the land,
Which the birds know in the woods mornings and evenings,
And the shore-sands know and the hissing wave, and that banner and pennant,
Aloft there flapping and flapping.
O now it seems to me it is talking to its children,
I hear it - it talks to me - O it is wonderful!
O it stretches - it spreads and runs so fast - O my father,
It is so broad it covers the whole sky -
What you are saying is sorrowful to me, much it displeases me;
Behold with the rest again I say, behold not banners and pennants aloft,
But the well-preserved pavements behold, and mark the solid-wall'd houses.
To our children all, or north or south of Manhattan,
Point this day, leaving all the rest, to us over all - and yet we know not why,
For what are we, mere strips of cloth profiting nothing,
Only flapping in the wind?
I hear the tramp of armies, I hear the challenging sentry,
I hear the jubilant shouts of millions of men, I hear Liberty!
I hear the drums beat and the trumpets blowing,
I myself move abroad swift-rising flying then,
I use the wings of the land-bird and use the wings of the sea-bird, and look down from a height,
I do not deny the precious results of peace, I see populous cities with wealth incalculable,
I see numberless farms, I see the farmers working in their fields or barns,
I see mechanics working, I see buildings everywhere founded, going up, or finish'd,
I see trains of cars swiftly speeding along railroad tracks drawn by locomotives,
I see the stores, depots, of Boston, Baltimore, Charleston, New Orleans,
I see far in the West the immense area of grain, I dwell awhile hovering,
I pass to the lumber forests of the North, and again to the Southern plantation, and again to California;
Sweeping the whole I see countless profit, the busy gatherings, earn'd wages,
See the Identity formed out of thirty-eight spacious and haughty States, (and many more to come),
See forts on the shores of harbours, see ships sailing in and out;
Then over all (aye! aye!) my little and lengthen'd pennant shaped like a sword,
Runs swiftly up indicating war and defiance - and now the halyards have rais'd it,
Side of my banner broad and blue, side of my starry banner,
Discarding peace over all the sea and land.
No longer let our children deem us riches and peace alone,
We may be terror and carnage, and are so now,
Not now are we any one of these spacious and haughty States, (nor any five, nor ten),
Nor market nor depot we, nor money-bank in the city,
But these and all, and brown and spreading land, and the mines below, are ours,
And the shores of the sea are ours, and the rivers great and small,
And the fields they moisten, and the crops and the fruits are ours,
Bays and channels and ships sailing in and out are ours - while we over all,
Over the area spread below, the three or four millions of square miles, the capitals,
The forty millions of people - O bard! in life and death supreme,
We, even we, henceforth flaunt out masterful, high up above,
Not for the present alone, for a thousand years chanting through you,
This song to the soul of one poor little child.
Child: O my father I like not the houses,
They will never to me be anything, nor do I like money,
But to mount up there I would like, O father dear, that banner I like,
That pennant I would be and must be.
Father: Child of mine you fill me with anguish,
To be that pennant would be too fearful,
Little you know what it is this day, and after this day, forever,
It is to gain nothing, but risk and defy everything,
Forward to stand in front of wars - and O, such wars! - what have you to do with them?
With passions of demons, slaughter, premature death?
Put in all, aye will I, sword-shaped pennant for war,
And a pleasure new and ecstatic, and the prattled yearning of children,
Blent with the sounds of the peaceful land and the liquid wash of the sea,
And the black ships fighting on the sea enveloped in smoke,
And the icy cool of the far, far north, with rustling cedars and pines,
And the whirr of drums and the sound of soldiers marching, and the hot sun shining south,
And the beach-waves combing over the beach on my Eastern shore, and my Western shore the same,
And all between those shores, and my ever running Mississippi with bends and chutes,
And my Illinois fields, and my Kansas fields, and my fields of Missouri,
The Continent, devoting the whole identity without reserving an atom,
Pour in! whelm that which asks, which sings, with all and the yield of all,
Fusing and holding, claiming, devouring the whole,
No more with tender lip, nor musical labial sound,
But out of the night emerging for good, our voice persuasive no more,
Croaking like crows here in the wind.
Banner so broad advancing out of the night, I sing you haughty & resolute,
I burst through where I waited long, too long, deafen'd and blinded,
My hearing and my tongue are come to me, (a little child taught me),
I hear from above O pennant of war your ironical call and demand,
Insensate! insensate! (yet I at any rate chant you), O banner!
Not houses of peace indeed are you, nor any nor all their prosperity, (if need be, you shall again have every one of those houses to destroy them,
You thought not to destroy those valuable houses, standing fast, full of comfort, built with money,
May they stand fast then? not an hour except you above them and all stand fast);
O banner, not money so precious are you, not farm produce you, nor the material good nutriment,
Nor excellent stores, nor landed on wharves from the ships,
Not the superb ships with sail-power or steam-power, fetching and carrying cargoes,
Nor machinery, vehicles, trade, nor revenues - but you as henceforth I see you.
Running up out of the night, bringing your cluster of stars, (ever-enlarging stars)
Divider of daybreak you, cutting the air, touch'd by the sun, measuring the sky,
(Passionately seen and yearned for by one poor little child,
While others remain busy or smartly talking, forever teaching thrift, thrift);
O you up there! O pennant! where you undulate like a snake hissing so curious,
Out of reach, and idea only, yet furiously fought for, risking bloody death, loved by me,
So loved - O you banner leading the day with stars brought from the night!
Valueless, object of eyes, over all and demanding all - (absolute owner of all) - O banner and pennant!
I too leave the rest - great as it is. It is nothing - houses, machines are nothing - I see them not
I see but you, O warlike pennant! O banner so broad, with stripes, I sing you only,
Flapplng up there in the wind.
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