Tennyson‘s poem “Crossing the Bar” (here) was about a shoal, and one of the most notorious sandbanks is Goodwin Sands, a line of shoals at the entrance to the Strait of Dover from the North Sea, off the Kent coast. It is one of the most dangerous passages in the English Channel, often the scene… Read More The Ghost Ship at the Sandbar/1
Yesterday I wrote about James Cabell (see here) and the scandal that arose after the publication of “Jurgen”, his twelfth novel in the fall of 1919Very shortly after its release, the book was accused of obscenities and withdrawn, so, obviously, thriving black market emerged, with copies sold for two hundred times the list price. Even… Read More Cabell’s Scandals
Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote And bathed every veyne in swich licour, Of which vertu engendred is the flour; Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breeth Inspired hath in every holt and heeth The tendre croppes, and the yonge sonne Hath in the Ram… Read More Chaucer & April /1
Charles Lamb published his poem “The Old Familiar Faces” in the 1798 collection “ Blank Verse” written in collaboration with Charles Lloyd.This was the son of the founder of Lloyds Bank and had been educated by a private tutor with the idea that he would work at his father’s bank. But finance bored him and… Read More Charles Lamb: The Old Familiar Faces/2
Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616, in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon at the age of fifty-two. It occurred within a month of signing his will, a document in which he described himself as being “in perfect health & memorie, god be praysed”. This was probably a typical phrase and did not necessarily mean he was… Read More Shakespeare’s Unexplained Death
Come sono leggera!Lontani gli orroridi quella che un tempocredevo passione sincera.Sul pavimentouna macchia sempre più rossae sul pettoc’è un papavero che s’ingrossa. Chi verrà a pulire?Sarà chi non ha voluto ascoltarela violenza da cui volevo fuggire?Ancor oggi l’avevo progettato:avevo messo uno strato di truccosul volto ammaccatoe scarpe adatte alla fugada chi un tempo avevo amato.… Read More Una di meno 👠
Welsh singer Sir Thomas John Woodward (known professionally as Tom Jones) is 81 today! 🍕 In December 1967 he recorded “Delilah” (lyrics by Barry Mason and music by Les Reed) and, singing it in his dramatic fashion, he managed to make it a top hit all over the world. This song is about a crime… Read More Tom Jones
Noi leggiavamo un giorno per diletto di Lancialotto come amor lo strinse; soli eravamo e sanza alcun sospetto. Per più fïate li occhi ci sospinse quella lettura, e scolorocci il viso; ma solo un punto fu quel che ci vinse. Quando leggemmo il disïato riso esser basciato da cotanto amante, questi, che mai da me… Read More Paolo and Francesca (1) ➡️ Byron
On 29 December 1170, Thomas à Becket, archbishop of Canterbury was assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by four knights at King Henry II’ bidding. Soon after his death, he was canonised by Pope Alexander III and his shrine in Canterbury Cathedral became an important focus for pilgrimage.He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both… Read More Murder in the Cathedral
“THE END” (part 2) [Verse 5] The killer awoke before dawn He put his boots on He took a face from the ancient gallery And he walked on down the hall He went into the room where his sister lived, and then he Paid a visit to his brother, and then he He walked on… Read More The Doors: “The End” (2. Analysis – part 2)
words and music and stories 