#the plight of a sparrow

[ren-c-leyn]

What inspired the idea/plot for Plight of a Sparrow? (it sounds super cool!) Did you know when you started writing it that it would evolve into a 5-book series?

Hello~!

So, the Plight of a Sparrow wasn't supposed to be a series when it started. In fact, I didn't even expect it to be a full novel. It was a test of sorts. I had several projects before it collapse and I had a theory that it had something to do with my world building process, or rather complete lack thereof. So, the plot didn't really solidify until half way through the third book, and by then I realized if I made it through the first book it was probably going to be series. Like a triology... and then I completed book two and realized I still had a very, very long way to go with the timeline that's in my head. 5 books is my current estimate, but please do not trust it, I swear the more I work on The Plight of a Sparrow, the more books get added to it.

As for the plot's inspirations, it's heavily influenced by the isekai anime genre, specifically Sword Art Online and Log Horizon. I know there were others that I was watching at the time too, but I can't remember them off the top of my head. It was awhile ago. ^^;

However, I decided to go a different route with the isekai than most of the animes - in a lot of the isekai animes the protagonist is extremely over powered or the chosen one or a combination of both. Sparrow, however, is not. The chosen one is native to the world she was dragged into, and any skills she has she has to work hard to master. No cheat codes, no god's blessings, no short cuts.

I remember that it was also inspired heavily by video game rpgs that encourage exploration such as The Fable series and old school rpg videos games like Boulder's Gate: Dark Alliance. In fact, video games were a large part of what I had on the brain while I was working on the initial world building and the story's set up.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a lovely day/evening.

[stromblessed]

Mizu, femininity, and fallen sparrows

In my last post about Mizu and Akemi, I feel like I came across as overly critical of Mizu given that Mizu is a woman who - in her own words - has to live as a man in order to go down the path of revenge.

If she is ever discovered to be female by the wrong person, she will not only be unable to complete her quest, but there's a good chance that she'll be arrested or killed.

So it makes complete sense for Mizu to distance herself as much as possible from any behavior that she feels like would make someone question her sex.

I felt so indignant toward Mizu on my first couple watchthroughs for this moment. Why couldn't Mizu bribe the woman and her child's way into the city too? If Mizu is presenting as a man, couldn't she claim to be the woman's escort?

However, this moment makes things pretty clear. Mizu knows all too well the plight of women in her society. She knows it so well that she cannot risk ever finding herself back in their position again. She helps in what little way she can - without drawing attention to herself.

Mizu is not a hero and she is not one to make of herself a martyr - she will not set herself on fire to keep others warm. There's room to argue that Mizu shouldn't prioritize her quest over people's lives, but given the collateral damage Mizu can live with in almost every episode of season 1, Mizu is simply not operating under that kind of morality at this point. ("You don't know what I've done to reach you," Mizu tells Fowler.)

And while I still feel like Mizu has an obvious and established blind spot when it comes to Akemi because of their differences in station, such that Mizu's judgment of Akemi and actions in episode 5 are the result of prejudice rather than the result of Mizu's caution, I also want to establish that Mizu is just as caged as Akemi is, despite her technically having more freedom while living as a man.

Mizu can hide her mixed race identity some of the time, and she can hide her sex almost all of the time, but being able to operate outside of her society's strict rules for women does not mean she cannot see their plight.

It does not mean she doesn't hurt for them.

Back to Mizu and collateral damage, remember that sparrow?

While Mizu is breaking into Boss Hamata's manse, she gets startled by a bird and kills it on reflex. She then cradles it in her hands - much more tenderly than we've seen Mizu treat almost anything up to this point in the season:

She then puts it in its nest, with its unhatched eggs. Almost like she's trying to make the death look natural. Or like an accident.

You see where I'm going with this.

When Mizu kills Kinuyo, Mizu lingers in the moment, holding the body tenderly:

And btw a lot of stuff about this show hit me hard, but this remains the biggest gut punch of them all for me, Mizu holding that poor girl's body close, GOD

When Mizu arranges the "scene of the crime," Kinuyo's body is delicate, birdlike. And Mizu is so shaken afterward that she gets sloppy. She's horrified at this kill to the point that she can't bring herself to take another innocent life - the boy who rats her out.

MIZU'S ONE MOMENT OF SOFTNESS AND MERCY, COMING ON THE HEELS OF HER NEEDING TO KILL A GIRL TO SPARE HER THE WORST FATE THAT THIS RIGID SOCIETY HAS TO OFFER WOMEN, AND TO SPARE A BROTHEL FULL OF INNOCENT WOMEN WHO ARE THE CASTOFFS OF SOCIETY, NEARLY RESULTS IN ALL OF THEIR DEATHS

No wonder Mizu is as stoic and cold as she is.

And no wonder Mizu has no patience for Akemi whatsoever right before the terrible reveal and the fight breaks out:

Speaking of Akemi - guess who else is compared to a bird!

The plumage is more colorful, a bit flashier. But a bird is a bird.

And, uh

Yeah.

I like to think that Mizu killing the sparrow is not only foreshadowing for what she must do to Kinuyo, but is also a representation of the choice she makes on Akemi's behalf. She decides to cage the bird because she believes the bird is "better off." Better off caged than... dead.

But because Mizu doesn't know Akemi or her situation, she of course doesn't realize that the bird is fated to die if it is caged and sent back home.

Mizu is clearly not happy, or pleased, or satisfied by allowing Akemi to be dragged back to her father:

But softness and mercy haven't gotten Mizu anywhere good, recently.

There is so much tragedy layered into Mizu's character, and it includes the things she has to witness and the choices she makes - or believes she has to make - involving women, when she herself can skirt around a lot of what her society throws at women. Although, I do believe that it comes at the cost of a part of Mizu's soul.

After all, I'm gonna be haunted for the rest of this show by Mizu's very first prayer in episode 1:

"LET" her die. Because as Ringo points out, she doesn't "know how" to die.

Kind of like another bird in this show:

[artbysherryle]

My art @artbysherryle

December 2023

Feral and goes after sparrows

Ready to fight and full of might

His nickname is Sprite

And that's his plight

[richs-pics]

Happy world sparrow day

I just found out it's world sparrow day (20-03-2023). Apparently, the aim is to raise awareness of the plight of house sparrows in particular and urban birds in general. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of house sparrows (note to self) so here is a tree sparrow which are also in decline.

[kaida427]

Crowem II

So this is the life The one I've been told One of lies, Lies I've been sold.

Two in a week, I sigh fully in grief Death is hardly meek, Offers no relief.

What I cannot stand Something that burns The birds dealt their hand, It wasn't aces, but urns.

Through December mist Humid chill aside, The bus did still persist Right towards the bird's deep glide.

Upon the window, the bird did land A sorrowful sparrow adrift, The flight all but grand And the wipers did all but lift.

I'm sorry, little bird, That I could not assist, Though your plight is heard Even through the mist.

[copiousloverofcopia]

Finished my commission for @a-tired-sparrow for their OC Deacon Via x Copia! It was a pleasure to work with this character and Copia together again! I hope you like it!!

Not Another Sleepless Night

Also available on A03!

Definitely NSFW below the cut!

Another sleepless night spent in the enormous bed of the Papal suite. The hours, passing slowly as the monstrance clock ticked away. The incessant sound, reminding Via of the passage of time. A constant ache in their chest, recalling the noted absence which left a painfully empty spot in the bed.

It had been months since Copia, Papa Emeritus IV, and the Deacon had professed their love for one another. The two of them had grown even closer as the days and weeks passed by. The two of them, learning more and more about one another until they felt like they had never been without each other. At first they had tried to keep things hush, both Papa and Via not wanting to elicit the undue attention of the masses. The two of them preferring instead to enjoy their relationship in a more private fashion.

It wasn't long however, when the whispers on the lips of siblings and the numerous smirk-filled glances from fellow clergy, told them that everyone knew. At some point it no longer mattered to either of them. As long as they had each other, they could drown out the rest of the world no matter how nosy or annoying it might be.

For a time things were perfect. The Deacon and the Papa, barely able to keep their hands off each other. Their lust and passion, as essential as the air for which they drew breath. It felt like nothing could come between them, but as Ghost's Imperatour tour dates grew closer and closer, an unease began to settle in between them.

Copia noticed it first. An innocent mention of the lumpy bed on the tour bus, which was to be shared by the two of them, rending Via quiet and their gaze falling to the floor. He could tell for weeks there was something wrong and when finally the day came that they were to begin preparations to leave, Via painfully admitted the truth.

"Amore you can't be serious?" Copia pleaded, shutting the door behind him as he followed Via into their office. Preparing to continue the ongoing argument between them, Via tried their best to go about business as usual, ignoring the very distressed Papa in their office. Today was the day and in just a few short hours Papa would need to be in the town car and on his way to the airport. The time was now or never.

"Cope I'm going to be late for my meeting, and so are you if you can't let this go." Via reasoned, grabbing their reports from the desk and pulling a few of the ghouls files from within the top drawer. Copia felt a sense of anger building up inside, one he'd never experienced before—especially not with Via. He was crushed inside at how they could just let him go. Wondering why they would not want to be with him?

"Via…I demand you talk to me about this and now! Damn the meeting, it can wait, I am Papa!" Copia hollered, a vein pulsing at his temple. Via could tell he was very upset and, with how loud he was getting, so could the rest of the Abbey.

"Papa…Cope…I just—I just can't. I'm needed here. No one can run this place the way I can. The siblings and ghouls…they need their Deacon. Especially since you will be gone." Via desperately pleaded with Copia to understand their plight, knowing deep down neither of them were going to be walking away happy. They could see the despair wash over Copia's face, his mouth pulling into a tight line.

"But I need you." He argued, the tears now clearly welling up on his eyes.

"Please." Via said, their words stinging him like the pierce of a sharp blade. Copia was heartbroken and angry and Via upset for being backed into a corner. Both of them, too stubborn to let it go.

"Fine." Copia fumed as he left the office, slamming the door in his wake. It was the last time Via had seen him face to face before he left. Via watched from the balcony of their room as Copia got into the car and left for the airport with the ghouls. Not even a pause or a glance back to wave goodbye.

The argument of the century had culminated in their shared despair. Copia simply gave up, knowing Via wouldn't abandon their work, always too deep in handling all the sibling affairs and preferring to work themselves to sheer exhaustion. The tour needed Papa on the road and on the road he went, over 8 weeks now and Via left behind—unsure of where they stood.

Now Via laid in their shared bed, the elegant golden lace and royal blue silk duvet shielding them from the world as they felt their heart crumbling and soul felt torn open. Whisper had been watching them toss and turn all night. Via, desperately seeking solace in the sheets that still smelled faintly of Copla’s scent. Via looked over, catching the glowing eyes in the darkness that peer at them from across the room.

"Don't you look at me like that. I know what you're thinking." Via snapped at the feline, who seemed content to judge them from the seat of the large bay window. Via tried to ignore it for too long, feeling like they might go mad with another night filled only with the sounds of ticking and the restless rustling of sheets. They could no longer stand it, getting up and throwing on their robes. Via headed downstairs to their office unlocking the door and letting themselves in, Whisper following closely in tow.

They sat down at the desk with aggravated force, causing papers to spill all over the edge. Via putting their hands on their hand, the never-ending cycle of work set out for themselves accurately portrayed in the mess. Oh what a mess I have made of this…and everything else they thought to themself as they picked up the papers. Via sat down at their desk trying to read a report from one of the siblings, hoping to drown their sorrows in work—helping them to forget.

Via rubbed their temples, head and heartache refusing to be ignored, finding themselves rereading the same lines of text over and over again. They were completely unable to concentrate on the task at hand. How clear it was now that this feeling deep inside would prevent them from truly being able to perform their job. They should be with Copia and Via knew it, wishing so badly they had made a different choice.

“What are you doing up so late?” a voice came from the doorway, sending Via straight out of the chair in panic, little hairs all over their body standing on edge.

“Oh! Oh Aether…it's just you. You scared the shit out of me.” Via nervously chuckled. The Ghoul smirked, rubbing the back of his head and he leaned his weight into the door frame, crossing his arms.

“Missing Papa?” Aether laughed back. Then it hit Via, why was Aether there? Wasn’t he supposed to be on tour with Papa and the other ghouls of the band?

“Of course I am…but Aeth…Uh weren’t you supposed to–” Via began, watching Aether grin ear to ear.

"Yeah I was supposed to fly back out tomorrow before the show. I had to come back for a short bit to handle some things here...but you know how it is.”

“I see.”

“You know…if we left now, we might just catch the red eye to London." Aether winked.

London

Copia leaned into the window, his head resting on shoulder as he sat on the small leather sofa within the tour bus. He watched as the streetlights passed him by. Their glow, illuminating the cold wet pavement of the road below as the group traveled to their next site on the tour. All the while his heart shattered to pieces within his chest.

It was easy to forget while he was on stage. The roar of the crowd, helping to drown out all the thoughts of the pain he felt inside. The ghouls could tell but no one said anything for fear he may completely fall apart. It was the hardest at night, when there was no more applause or singing to pacify his pain—Copia missed Via deeply.

It was becoming harder for everyone to ignore, waiting for the other shoe to drop, leaving them with a forlorn and depressed Papa, unable to perform. There was no getting around it, no matter how much he tried to hide it, it was there. Leaving him empty and broken, a shell of himself. Copia knew he had to do something, unable to stand it any longer.

He made up his mind, trying to reach Aether, who had been back home, pleading with him to drag Via back with him as an order from their Papa—one they’d be unable to refuse. The idea ignited him but ultimately he never let the words leave his lips. He knew how much Via’s work meant to them–who was he to take that from them? Copia wouldn’t do that to them, even if he could. I have to do something, I can’t go on like this, he told himself, running his fingers through his hair, wracking his brain for something to fix the ache when he decided there was only one thing to do.

Suddenly he stood up, alerting Sodo and Rain, who had been reading over the menu from the next venue’s catering company, at the table across the way. “Stop the bus! Stop the bus and turn it around!” Copia yelled, a true smile gracing his face for the first time in weeks.

“Boss you can't be serious…you want us to turn the whole damn bus around?” Mountain called, turning back to look behind him as he was in the driver's seat. Copia smiled bigger, getting up to put his hand on Mountain’s shoulder, the ghouls all gathering up from the back of the bus to see what was the commotion.

“Si.” Copia said, Mountain staring at him a moment, taking in a deep breath and exhaling as he smiled. The ghoul, shaking his head, knowing exactly what was going on.

“To the airport then.” Mountain laughed as they crossed over three lanes, whipping off the road at the first exit to turn back around. The ghouls all clapped so excited to see their Papa so happy. Sunshine and Cumulus cheered and purred away as they helped Copia pack his things. Their Papa would be kept from his lover no longer and the ghouls supported him 1000%.

“Remember love is all you need.” Cumulus purred, a wide smile on her face as the rest of them laughed.

“Very true, mia leonessa.” Copia smiled as he brushed back a lock of the ghouls hair. Copia pulled out his phone ready to book the next plane home. Nothing would keep Via and him apart now. Their love was truly all he needed.

Copia’s heart was pounding out of his chest, Mountain doing his best to weave through the traffic—barreling toward the airport at full speed. When they finally made it, Copia practically jumped from the bus and into the parking lot. Mountain sped off to find a place to park, the sound of the bus’s tires squeaking hurting Copia’s ears. Copia ran as fast as he could to the entrance, still on hold with the airline, trying desperately to be on the next plane back to Italy. Finally he heard the hold music stop and the beautiful sound of a real human voice on the line.

"I'm very sorry Mr. Emeritus, but we do not have any more flights out to Italy until tomorrow evening." The woman on the other end apologized. Copia stood in the middle of the terminal, feeling devastated.

"Are you sure there is nothing you can do?" He asked, his voice broken and unsure.

"Yes sir, I'm sure. Now if you would like we could—" woman continued, but Copia no longer paid attention.

"Ah…thank you." He said as he hung up the phone. Copia dropped to his knees, feeling helpless and defeated. So angry with himself. If he had only just stayed behind, maybe the tour could have waited. If only he had done something else to convince Via to come with him.

He would give anything for them together again. He felt his heart ache picking away at him, even greater than it had before. Copia realizing that the hours between now and his return home, would feel like eternity. He sniffled back, preparing to pick himself up off the ground and find wherever Mountain had managed to park when he felt a warm touch on his shoulder.

Copia slowly turned around, his mismatched eyes instantly met with the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. It was Via and Aether, both with sparse luggage in tow and smiles on their faces. His heart stilled in his chest, convinced that he must be dead or hallucinating. Neither of them spoke as Copia stood up, tucking the phone in his pocket.

"Amore?" He asked, still not convinced he was trapped somehow within a cruel dream. Via dropped their bags and threw their arms around Copia, holding him tightly.

"Papa!" They cried hard, burying their face into Copia's shoulder, tears pouring forth like the running of rivers.

"Oh Lucifer, praised be…is it really you amore? Come avrei potuto andarmene senza di te? Tu sei il mio tutto. Sono un guscio di un uomo senza di te al mio fianco." Via just smiled, nuzzling their face into Copia's chest. Aether, smirking all the while in the background as Copia pulled Via's face up to kiss him.

Their lips practically melted into one another's. The sweet taste of their mouths that had been long denied to them, sickeningly sweet. Via pulled away, gathering their breath as desire swirled within them. "Ti amo, uomo sciocco." They said, their lips crashing back to Papa’s.

Things happened so fast that neither of them could remember exactly how. A haze of passion and built up of desire leading Via and Copia onto the tour bus as if by muscle memory. As the door to the back lounge of the bus closed, Copia pushed the button, dropping down the bed from within the wall and pushing Via back on it in one fell swoop. The ravenous Papa tore off his clothes as if they'd been set on fire. His cock, hard and leaking at the sheer sight of Via now laying naked laying in his bed.

“Amore. I intend to take you so well you forget yourself… maybe even your own name. I will not spend another second without you in my arms.” Copia vowed. His words, full of lust and desire. Via felt them like hands all over their body, already wet—heart beating relentlessly between their legs. Papa stood naked before Via, their mouth hung open and ready for Copia to use them in any way he saw fit. Via’s body calling out for even the slightest touch of his skin on theirs.

"Take me Papa, make me yours once more." Via demanded as Copia practically tore their pants from their waist, fingers dipped inside Via's warm cunt before they could let out a breath. Via's back arched high as Copia worked his fingers inside, pulling them out to paint their folds and clit in the wetness from within. Via’s fingers tangled in the sheets, gripping them tightly as if to ground them.

"You don't have to ask me twice." Copia growled, continuing his ministrations as Via rocked their hips along with him. Feeling Copia pressing deep inside. Via was amazed at just how quickly their body succumbed to their Papa. Clearly they had missed him—mind, body and soul.

Copia could feel the racing of Via's heart as he rubbed the swollen upper walls of their pussy. They moaned, legs beginning to shake as Via lifted up to roll their cunt on Copia's hand.

"Oh fuck right there!" Via cried out.

“Oh Via, just seeing you like this makes me wanna cum. Cum for me so I can be inside you amore. Fill you with my cock that has been longing to be inside you for so long.” Copia's groaned, clenching his teeth as he tried desperately to hold back.

“Ah! Cope!” Via screamed as their inner walls began to quiver. Their cunt tightening around Copia’s hand as they came. Papa gradually slowed his movements, pulling his fingers from inside Via. Using their juices to stroke his needy cock.

Via stared deeply into Copia’s eyes, allowing their legs to fall open as they brought their own hand to their clit. Via closed their eyes, feeling the tips of their fingers gliding gently across their sensitive bud. Copia’s mouth fell open as he watched. "Amore I need you, don't tease me. Let me be inside you."

"What are you waiting for?" Via giggled as Copia positioned himself on his weakened knees between Via’s legs. Stroking the inside of their thigh with the back of his hand. The thrill of his touch, sending a surge of pleasure through them.

"You are so beautiful amore. I should have never left without you."

"No Cope. You were right. I need to learn that sometimes it's ok to let go."

"I will never leave you behind again—" Copia began as Via pulled him down to kiss them, almost knocking him off balance. Via grabbed Copia’s cock between them and pulled it through their dripping wet folds. He gasped, wincing as he tried not to cum.

"Show me how much you missed me." Via ordered, Copia obliged, pushing his cock through their entrance and deep inside them.

"Ah! Amore, I missed this so much. How perfectly you fit me inside you!" Copia called out as he panted, thrusting and pumping himself in and out of Via’s pussy. The sounds between them, so obscene—no doubt that the ghouls outside could hear them. Neither of them cared. The lovers content to let the world watch as they rode to Hell together, connected by the most sensitive of flesh.

They moaned in unison, their sounds animalistic and sinful. Kissing and licking, and gripping tight to one another as if their lives depended on it. Copia sucked in Via’s bottom lip, nipping a bit before dropping his mouth to their breasts. Via’s nipple pulled gently in Copia’s mouth, hard and tingling.

"Ah…mmm…Papa! Yes please dont stop!" Via cried out as Copia’s cock grazed against the deepest parts of their cunt, sending fireworks throughout their body. Copia furrowed his brow, trying so hard not to cum until Via was ready, his cock aching and throbbing inside them.

"Oh Amore, cum for me…I wanna cum for you so badly." Copia whined, his breath hitching a moment before his mouth returned to Via’s breast.

"Cope!" Via moaned as Copia's hands gripped tightly on Via’s hips.

"Amore I need to cum, I want to cum so deep inside you. Tell me you want me to cum for you. That you’re going to cum for me!" Copia said, biting his own lip and feeling himself swelling up deep inside Via, unable to control his need to cum. The feeling of him puffing up inside them, filling out their insides and pressing in all around them, was enough to send Via over. Their body clenched down on the thickness of Copia’s cock, gripping him tightly as he thrusted inside them.

"I’m…I’m cumming!" Via screamed, feeling their body burst with the sensation, fire sent through their veins and an explosion of pleasure traveling from their cunt through their spine. The feeling heightened by the sensation of Copia spilling ropes of hot cum inside them. It was pure black magic, both of them convinced they could see the beginning and end of time.

Copia collapsed down on Via, his softened cock still inside them, as he kissed their pouty lips. The two of them lay wholly exhausted, but never more relieved. They held each other close, both listening to the beat of one another's heart. Via ran their fingers through Copia’s hair, holding back a laugh.

"What, what is it amore?" He asked them.

"You've gotten some more grays since I last saw you."' Via teased, the gentle laugh escaping them.

"It's the stress of being without you amore. I will never leave you again—never." Copia vowed.

"Good. Cause I sure as Hell can’t take another sleepless night." Via laughed as they could hear the ghouls cheering from behind the door. Shooting and hollering for their beloved Papa, himself once again thanks to his lover.

"My best performance yet?" Copia asked, kissing gently along Via's neck. Via lifted up to brush their lips over his ear.

"I don't know…I could use an encore." Via whispered against Copia’s ear, feeling his cock twitch inside them.

"Amore?" Copia began, already feeling himself getting hard again at the sheer mention of it. "Well as they say…on with the show!”

Notes:

mia leonessa- my lioness

Come avrei potuto andarmene senza di te? Tu sei il mio tutto. Sono un guscio di un uomo senza di te al mio fianco. -How could I have ever left without you? You are my everything. I am a shell of a man without you at my side.

Ti amo, uomo sciocco. -I love you, you silly man.

[frmartinshomiliesandreflections]

15th July >> Fr. Martin's Gospel Reflections / Homilies on Matthew 10:24-33 for Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time: ‘You are worth more than hundreds of sparrows’.

Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel (Except USA) Matthew 10:24-33 Everything now hidden will be made clear.

Jesus instructed the Twelve as follows: ‘The disciple is not superior to his teacher, nor the slave to his master. It is enough for the disciple that he should grow to be like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, what will they not say of his household?

‘Do not be afraid of them therefore. For everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops.

‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing. Why, every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.

‘So if anyone declares himself for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for him in the presence of my Father in heaven. But the one who disowns me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.’

Gospel (USA) Matthew 10:24-33 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.

Jesus said to his Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

Reflections (6)

(i) Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus makes an extraordinary statement in today’s gospel reading, ‘Not one (sparrow) falls to the ground without your Father knowing’. The sparrow is one of the lowliest of the birds that fly in the sky, as Jesus asks, ‘Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny?’ Yet, Jesus declares that God is keenly aware of the plight of the humble sparrow. Although Jesus does not ask this question explicitly, it hangs in the air, ‘How much more is God keenly aware of your plight?’ He does declare, ‘Every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows’. Jesus is assuring all of us of our tremendous worth in God’s sight. Elsewhere in the gospels Jesus calls on us to value genuine treasure, heavenly treasure, and he presents himself as that genuine treasure, the pearl of great price. In today’s gospel reading, however, Jesus reminds us of how much God values each one of us. We don’t always get our values right. We sometimes put too much value on what is not worth such value. We can miss what is truly valuable. God always gets God’s values right. God values all that God has created, all the details of creation, including the humble sparrow. Jesus declares in the gospel reading that God values each human person, each one of us, above all else. The Jewish Scriptures glimpsed this wonderful truth. God speaking through the prophet Isaiah says to Israel, ‘You are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you’. Jesus shows us that we are all precious in God’s sight. If God values us, if God knows our worth, then we must value ourselves and each other. Each human life is precious to God. A price cannot be put on a human life. We are called to cherish every human life as deeply and passionately as God does, and we begin by cherishing ourselves as much as God does.

And/Or

(ii) Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus makes a striking statement about God in this morning’s gospel reading. Not one sparrow falls to the ground without God knowing about it. Jesus claims that God lovingly watches over the life and death of even his smallest and least valuable creatures. How much more, Jesus declares, is God watching over all of us, who are worth more than hundreds of sparrows. Jesus goes so far as to say that every hair of our head has been counted by God. Jesus is using an image here to express God’s care for the smallest detail of our lives. We can find ourselves wondering whether or not God really cares about me personally. I am only one of such a vast throng. How can God possibly be interested in the details of my life? Yet, Jesus assures us in that gospel reading that God is indeed interested in the details of our lives. God relates to us in a way that is unique to each one of us. We are called into a personal relationship with God. Because God cares about the details of our lives, Jesus assures us that we can entrust ourselves to God, without fear. ‘There is no need to be afraid’. This is the kind of relationship Jesus himself had with God. He knew in his heart that God was concerned about the details of his life and he entrusted himself to God, even when his enemies seemed to have triumphed over him. Jesus wants us to know that we can all have the same relationship with God that he has. He invites us to share in his own personal relationship with God and he makes such a sharing possible by sending the Holy Spirit into our hearts, his own Spirit. Through the Spirit, his God becomes our God, his Father becomes our Father.

And/Or

(iii) Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

The gospel reading this morning is part of what is often termed Matthew’s missionary discourse. Jesus is speaking to his disciples as he sends them out on mission. In our reading Jesus twice calls upon them, ‘Do not be afraid’. They are not to be afraid of those who will oppose their message, even to the point of killing their body. They are to be free of fear because Jesus has brought them, and disciples of every generation, into an intimate relationship with God. We share in Jesus’ own relationship with God. God the Father knows us as well as he knows his own Son, down to the number of the hairs on our head. If God cares for creation, even the humble sparrow, how much more does God care for those who have been made in God’s image and likeness and in whom God recognizes his own Son. This sense of being valued and watched over by God frees us from fear. The first letter of John declares that perfect love drives out fear. Paul in his letter to the Romans reminds us, ‘you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption’. We have been adopted as sons and daughters of God in the Spirit through Jesus. We enjoy a familiar relationship and intimacy with God our Father in heaven. The assurance which this privileged relationship gives us empowers us to declare ourselves for Jesus in the presence of all.

And/Or

(iv) Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Three times in the course of today’s gospel reading, Jesus says to his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid’. They are not to fear those who will treat Jesus’ disciples as they have treated Jesus himself, who can kill the body of the disciples as they killed Jesus’ body. However, the disciples are to fear God, who can destroy body and soul in hell. However, Jesus immediately qualifies this God whom the disciples are to fear as a heavenly Father who is so lovingly involved in our lives that he knows the number of hairs on our head. As believers in Jesus, we enjoy a familial relationship with God, which is a sharing in Jesus’ own relationship with God as Son. We are valued and watched over by God, just as Jesus was. This sense of God’s loving care for us gives an assurance and a confidence to proclaim our relationship with Jesus our brother, and God, the Father of Jesus and our Father. We are to proclaim this graced relationship from the housetops, not as a self-congratulatory boast, but as good news for all to hear, because all are called into this same relationship. We are to declare ourselves for the Lord in the presence of others, knowing that the Lord will declare himself for us in God’s presence. The grace and privilege of being taken up into Jesus’ own relationship with God is at the same time an empowering call to witness publicly to who we are and what we have received.

And/Or

(v) Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Twice in the course of today’s gospel reading Jesus says to his disciples, ‘Do not be afraid’. He was sending them out on mission. He had just been very honest with them about the hostility they were likely to encounter. As Jesus says in the gospel reading, if they have called the master of the household, Jesus, Beelzebul, accusing him of being in league with Satan, what will they not say of the members of his household, Jesus’ followers. When it comes to witnessing publicly to our faith in the Lord, we can all be held back by fear. Yet, it is striking how many times in the gospels Jesus calls on his disciples not to be afraid. On one occasion, he said to his disciples in the boat in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Jesus identifies fear as a sign of little faith. So often in the gospels the opposite of faith is not doubt but fear. Genuine faith is always a courageous faith. In the gospel reading today, Jesus gives us a reason why we can be courageous in witnessing to our faith in him. God who cares for the humble sparrow cares for us even more, we who are worth ‘more than hundreds of sparrows’. God holds us in the palm of his hand, especially when we witness publicly to our faith in his Son, when, in the words of Jesus at the end of the gospel reading, we declare ourselves publicly for him before others. It is above all at such times that God is our refuge and our strength, in the language of one of the Psalms.

And/Or

(vi) Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

You may have recognized a line in today’s first reading as very similar to one of our responses at Mass, ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. His glory fills the whole earth’. Many of our responses at Mass are taken from the Scriptures. In a vision, Isaiah heard the angels acclaim God with these words in the Temple in Jerusalem. Isaiah’s sense of the holiness of God brought home to him his own sinfulness, ‘I am a man of unclean lips’. The closer he came to God, the more aware of how unlike God he was. Isaiah was giving expression to a sense of reverence and awe in God’s presence, what is sometimes referred to as ‘fear of the Lord’. The word ‘fear’ there doesn’t mean what we normally mean by fear. It is that sense of the otherness of God, the holiness of God which brings home to us our own unworthiness to be in God’s presence. In the gospel reading, Jesus calls on his disciples to fear God, in that sense. God is beyond us; God’s thoughts are not our thoughts; God’s ways are not our ways; God evokes our reverence and awe. Yet, this same God became human in the person of Jesus. Jesus revealed God to be beyond us in the sense that God is so much more loving and caring than any human could be. In the gospel reading, Jesus speaks of God as one who cares for the details of his creation, who knows when a humble sparrow falls to the ground. Jesus goes on to say that God’s loving care for each one of us is so much greater because we are worth more than hundreds of sparrows. Jesus had a very deep sense of God’s loving care for him and he wants us to know that God cares for us all just as much as he cares for his So. Jesus’ sense that God was holding him in the palm of his hand gave him the strength and the courage to do what God was asking of him. Jesus wants us all to be without fear in that sense. Three times in today’s gospel reading he calls on us not to be afraid of those who are hostile to our faith. We can be courageous in our witness to Jesus, because God is taking care of us, as he took care of Jesus.

Fr. Martin Hogan.

[kadencrafter78]

ACT 1

Scene 1

Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches.

FIRST WITCH  When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain? SECOND WITCH  When the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won. THIRD WITCH  That will be ere the set of sun. FIRST WITCH  Where the place? SECOND WITCH  Upon the heath. THIRD WITCH  There to meet with Macbeth. FIRST WITCH  I come, Graymalkin. SECOND WITCH  Paddock calls. THIRD WITCH  Anon. ALL  Fair is foul, and foul is fair;

Hover through the fog and filthy air. They exit.

Scene 2Alarum within. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lennox, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding Captain.

DUNCAN  What bloody man is that? He can report, As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt The newest state. MALCOLM  This is the sergeant Who, like a good and hardy soldier, fought ’Gainst my captivity.—Hail, brave friend! Say to the King the knowledge of the broil As thou didst leave it. CAPTAIN  Doubtful it stood, As two spent swimmers that do cling together And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald (Worthy to be a rebel, for to that The multiplying villainies of nature Do swarm upon him) from the Western Isles Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied; And Fortune, on his damnèd quarrel smiling, Showed like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak; For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name), Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution, Like Valor’s minion, carved out his passage Till he faced the slave; Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops, And fixed his head upon our battlements. DUNCAN  O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman! CAPTAIN  As whence the sun ’gins his reflection Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break, So from that spring whence comfort seemed to come Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark: No sooner justice had, with valor armed, Compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels, But the Norweyan lord, surveying vantage, With furbished arms and new supplies of men, Began a fresh assault. DUNCAN  Dismayed not this our captains, Macbeth and Banquo? CAPTAIN  Yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. If I say sooth, I must report they were As cannons overcharged with double cracks, So they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds Or memorize another Golgotha, I cannot tell— But I am faint. My gashes cry for help. DUNCAN  So well thy words become thee as thy wounds: They smack of honor both.—Go, get him surgeons. The Captain is led off by Attendants.

Enter Ross and Angus.

Who comes here? MALCOLM  The worthy Thane of Ross. LENNOX  What a haste looks through his eyes! So should he look that seems to speak things strange. ROSS  God save the King. DUNCAN  Whence cam’st thou, worthy thane? ROSS  From Fife, great king, Where the Norweyan banners flout the sky And fan our people cold. Norway himself, with terrible numbers, Assisted by that most disloyal traitor, The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict, Till that Bellona’s bridegroom, lapped in proof, Confronted him with self-comparisons, Point against point, rebellious arm ’gainst arm, Curbing his lavish spirit. And to conclude, The victory fell on us. DUNCAN  Great happiness! ROSS  That now Sweno, The Norways’ king, craves composition. Nor would we deign him burial of his men Till he disbursèd at Saint Colme’s Inch Ten thousand dollars to our general use. DUNCAN  No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present death, And with his former title greet Macbeth. ROSS  I’ll see it done. DUNCAN 

What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. They exit.

Scene 3

Thunder. Enter the three Witches.

FIRST WITCH Where hast thou been, sister? SECOND WITCH  Killing swine. THIRD WITCH  Sister, where thou? FIRST WITCH  A sailor’s wife had chestnuts in her lap And munched and munched and munched. “Give me,” quoth I. “Aroint thee, witch,” the rump-fed runnion cries. Her husband’s to Aleppo gone, master o’ th’ Tiger; But in a sieve I’ll thither sail, And, like a rat without a tail, I’ll do, I’ll do, and I’ll do. SECOND WITCH  I’ll give thee a wind. FIRST WITCH  Th’ art kind. THIRD WITCH  And I another. FIRST WITCH  I myself have all the other, And the very ports they blow; All the quarters that they know I’ th’ shipman’s card. I’ll drain him dry as hay. Sleep shall neither night nor day Hang upon his penthouse lid. He shall live a man forbid. Weary sev’nnights, nine times nine, Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine. Though his bark cannot be lost, Yet it shall be tempest-tossed. Look what I have. SECOND WITCH  Show me, show me. FIRST WITCH  Here I have a pilot’s thumb, Wracked as homeward he did come.Drum within. THIRD WITCH  A drum, a drum! Macbeth doth come. ALL, dancing in a circle  The Weïrd Sisters, hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land, Thus do go about, about, Thrice to thine and thrice to mine And thrice again, to make up nine. Peace, the charm’s wound up.

Enter Macbeth and Banquo.

MACBETH  So foul and fair a day I have not seen. BANQUO  How far is ’t called to Forres?—What are these, So withered, and so wild in their attire, That look not like th’ inhabitants o’ th’ Earth And yet are on ’t?—Live you? Or are you aught That man may question? You seem to understand me By each at once her choppy finger laying Upon her skinny lips. You should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so. MACBETH  Speak if you can. What are you? FIRST WITCH  All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! SECOND WITCH  All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! THIRD WITCH  All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter! BANQUO  Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair?—I’ th’ name of truth, Are you fantastical, or that indeed Which outwardly you show? My noble partner You greet with present grace and great prediction Of noble having and of royal hope, That he seems rapt withal. To me you speak not. If you can look into the seeds of time And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear Your favors nor your hate. FIRST WITCH  Hail! SECOND WITCH  Hail! THIRD WITCH  Hail! FIRST WITCH  Lesser than Macbeth and greater. SECOND WITCH  Not so happy, yet much happier. THIRD WITCH  Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! FIRST WITCH  Banquo and Macbeth, all hail! MACBETH  Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more. By Sinel’s death I know I am Thane of Glamis. But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives A prosperous gentleman, and to be king Stands not within the prospect of belief, No more than to be Cawdor. Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence or why Upon this blasted heath you stop our way With such prophetic greeting. Speak, I charge you. Witches vanish. BANQUO  The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, And these are of them. Whither are they vanished? MACBETH  Into the air, and what seemed corporal melted, As breath into the wind. Would they had stayed! BANQUO  Were such things here as we do speak about? Or have we eaten on the insane root That takes the reason prisoner? MACBETH  Your children shall be kings. BANQUO  You shall be king. MACBETH  And Thane of Cawdor too. Went it not so? BANQUO  To th’ selfsame tune and words.—Who’s here?

Enter Ross and Angus.

ROSS  The King hath happily received, Macbeth, The news of thy success, and, when he reads Thy personal venture in the rebels’ fight, His wonders and his praises do contend Which should be thine or his. Silenced with that, In viewing o’er the rest o’ th’ selfsame day He finds thee in the stout Norweyan ranks, Nothing afeard of what thyself didst make, Strange images of death. As thick as tale Came post with post, and every one did bear Thy praises in his kingdom’s great defense, And poured them down before him. ANGUS  We are sent To give thee from our royal master thanks, Only to herald thee into his sight, Not pay thee. ROSS  And for an earnest of a greater honor, He bade me, from him, call thee Thane of Cawdor, In which addition, hail, most worthy thane, For it is thine. BANQUO  What, can the devil speak true? MACBETH  The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me In borrowed robes? ANGUS  Who was the Thane lives yet, But under heavy judgment bears that life Which he deserves to lose. Whether he was combined With those of Norway, or did line the rebel With hidden help and vantage, or that with both He labored in his country’s wrack, I know not; But treasons capital, confessed and proved, Have overthrown him. MACBETH, aside  Glamis and Thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind. To Ross and Angus. Thanks for your pains. Aside to Banquo. Do you not hope your children shall be kings, When those that gave the Thane of Cawdor to me Promised no less to them? BANQUO  That, trusted home, Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But ’tis strange. And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray ’s In deepest consequence.— Cousins, a word, I pray you.They step aside. MACBETH, aside  Two truths are told As happy prologues to the swelling act Of the imperial theme.—I thank you, gentlemen. Aside. This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, Why hath it given me earnest of success Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs Against the use of nature? Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man That function is smothered in surmise, And nothing is but what is not. BANQUO  Look how our partner’s rapt. MACBETH, aside  If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Without my stir. BANQUO  New honors come upon him, Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use. MACBETH, aside  Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day. BANQUO  Worthy Macbeth, we stay upon your leisure. MACBETH  Give me your favor. My dull brain was wrought With things forgotten. Kind gentlemen, your pains Are registered where every day I turn The leaf to read them. Let us toward the King. Aside to Banquo. Think upon what hath chanced, and at more time, The interim having weighed it, let us speak Our free hearts each to other. BANQUO  Very gladly. MACBETH 

Till then, enough.—Come, friends. They exit.

Scene 4

Flourish. Enter King Duncan, Lennox, Malcolm, Donalbain, and Attendants.

DUNCAN  Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not Those in commission yet returned? MALCOLM  My liege, They are not yet come back. But I have spoke With one that saw him die, who did report That very frankly he confessed his treasons, Implored your Highness’ pardon, and set forth A deep repentance. Nothing in his life Became him like the leaving it. He died As one that had been studied in his death To throw away the dearest thing he owed As ’twere a careless trifle. DUNCAN  There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust.

Enter Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus.

O worthiest cousin, The sin of my ingratitude even now Was heavy on me. Thou art so far before That swiftest wing of recompense is slow To overtake thee. Would thou hadst less deserved, That the proportion both of thanks and payment Might have been mine! Only I have left to say, More is thy due than more than all can pay. MACBETH  The service and the loyalty I owe In doing it pays itself. Your Highness’ part Is to receive our duties, and our duties Are to your throne and state children and servants, Which do but what they should by doing everything Safe toward your love and honor. DUNCAN  Welcome hither. I have begun to plant thee and will labor To make thee full of growing.—Noble Banquo, That hast no less deserved nor must be known No less to have done so, let me enfold thee And hold thee to my heart. BANQUO  There, if I grow, The harvest is your own. DUNCAN  My plenteous joys, Wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves In drops of sorrow.—Sons, kinsmen, thanes, And you whose places are the nearest, know We will establish our estate upon Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter The Prince of Cumberland; which honor must Not unaccompanied invest him only, But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine On all deservers.—From hence to Inverness And bind us further to you. MACBETH  The rest is labor which is not used for you. I’ll be myself the harbinger and make joyful The hearing of my wife with your approach. So humbly take my leave. DUNCAN  My worthy Cawdor. MACBETH, aside  The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. He exits. DUNCAN  True, worthy Banquo. He is full so valiant, And in his commendations I am fed: It is a banquet to me.—Let’s after him, Whose care is gone before to bid us welcome.

It is a peerless kinsman. Flourish. They exit.

Scene 5Enter Macbeth’s Wife, alone, with a letter.

LADY MACBETH, reading the letter  They met me in the day of success, and I have learned by the perfect’st report they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it came missives from the King, who all-hailed me “Thane of Cawdor,” by which title, before, these Weïrd Sisters saluted me and referred me to the coming on of time with “Hail, king that shalt be.” This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell. Glamis thou art, and Cawdor, and shalt be What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition, but without The illness should attend it. What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false And yet wouldst wrongly win. Thou ’dst have, great Glamis, That which cries “Thus thou must do,” if thou have it, And that which rather thou dost fear to do, Than wishest should be undone. Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear And chastise with the valor of my tongue All that impedes thee from the golden round, Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem To have thee crowned withal. Enter Messenger.

What is your tidings? MESSENGER  The King comes here tonight. LADY MACBETH  Thou ’rt mad to say it. Is not thy master with him, who, were ’t so, Would have informed for preparation? MESSENGER  So please you, it is true. Our thane is coming. One of my fellows had the speed of him, Who, almost dead for breath, had scarcely more Than would make up his message. LADY MACBETH  Give him tending. He brings great news.Messenger exits. The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements. Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood. Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse, That no compunctious visitings of nature Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between Th’ effect and it. Come to my woman’s breasts And take my milk for gall, you murd’ring ministers, Wherever in your sightless substances You wait on nature’s mischief. Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark To cry “Hold, hold!”

Enter Macbeth.

Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor, Greater than both by the all-hail hereafter! Thy letters have transported me beyond This ignorant present, and I feel now The future in the instant. MACBETH  My dearest love, Duncan comes here tonight. LADY MACBETH  And when goes hence? MACBETH  Tomorrow, as he purposes. LADY MACBETH  O, never Shall sun that morrow see! Your face, my thane, is as a book where men May read strange matters. To beguile the time, Look like the time. Bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue. Look like th’ innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t. He that’s coming Must be provided for; and you shall put This night’s great business into my dispatch, Which shall to all our nights and days to come Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom. MACBETH  We will speak further. LADY MACBETH  Only look up clear. To alter favor ever is to fear.

Leave all the rest to me. They exit.

Scene 6

Hautboys and Torches. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, and Attendants.

DUNCAN  This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses. BANQUO  This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, By his loved mansionry, that the heaven’s breath Smells wooingly here. No jutty, frieze, Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird Hath made his pendant bed and procreant cradle. Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed, The air is delicate.

Enter Lady Macbeth.

DUNCAN  See, see our honored hostess!— The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you How you shall bid God ’ild us for your pains And thank us for your trouble. LADY MACBETH  All our service, In every point twice done and then done double, Were poor and single business to contend Against those honors deep and broad wherewith Your Majesty loads our house. For those of old, And the late dignities heaped up to them, We rest your hermits. DUNCAN  Where’s the Thane of Cawdor? We coursed him at the heels and had a purpose To be his purveyor; but he rides well, And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath helped him To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess, We are your guest tonight. LADY MACBETH  Your servants ever Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs in compt To make their audit at your Highness’ pleasure, Still to return your own. DUNCAN  Give me your hand. Taking her hand. Conduct me to mine host. We love him highly And shall continue our graces towards him.

By your leave, hostess. They exit.

Scene 7

Hautboys. Torches. Enter a Sewer and divers Servants with dishes and service over the stage. Then enter Macbeth.

MACBETH  If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well It were done quickly. If th’ assassination Could trammel up the consequence and catch With his surcease success, that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgment here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return To plague th’ inventor. This even-handed justice Commends th’ ingredience of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking-off; And pity, like a naked newborn babe Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubin horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind. I have no spur To prick the sides of my intent, but only Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself And falls on th’ other—

Enter Lady Macbeth.

How now, what news? LADY MACBETH  He has almost supped. Why have you left the chamber? MACBETH  Hath he asked for me? LADY MACBETH  Know you not he has? MACBETH  We will proceed no further in this business. He hath honored me of late, and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would be worn now in their newest gloss, Not cast aside so soon. LADY MACBETH  Was the hope drunk Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale At what it did so freely? From this time Such I account thy love. Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valor As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” Like the poor cat i’ th’ adage? MACBETH  Prithee, peace. I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is none. LADY MACBETH  What beast was ’t, then, That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. They have made themselves, and that their fitness now Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this. MACBETH  If we should fail— LADY MACBETH  We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking place And we’ll not fail. When Duncan is asleep (Whereto the rather shall his day’s hard journey Soundly invite him), his two chamberlains Will I with wine and wassail so convince That memory, the warder of the brain, Shall be a fume, and the receipt of reason A limbeck only. When in swinish sleep Their drenchèd natures lies as in a death, What cannot you and I perform upon Th’ unguarded Duncan? What not put upon His spongy officers, who shall bear the guilt Of our great quell? MACBETH  Bring forth men-children only, For thy undaunted mettle should compose Nothing but males. Will it not be received, When we have marked with blood those sleepy two Of his own chamber and used their very daggers, That they have done ’t? LADY MACBETH  Who dares receive it other, As we shall make our griefs and clamor roar Upon his death? MACBETH  I am settled and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth

know. They exit.

ACT 2

Scene 1

Enter Banquo, and Fleance with a torch before him.

BANQUO How goes the night, boy? FLEANCE  The moon is down. I have not heard the clock. BANQUO  And she goes down at twelve. FLEANCE  I take ’t ’tis later, sir. BANQUO  Hold, take my sword.He gives his sword to Fleance. There’s husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out. Take thee that too. A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose.

Enter Macbeth, and a Servant with a torch.

Give me my sword.—Who’s there? MACBETH  A friend. BANQUO  What, sir, not yet at rest? The King’s abed. He hath been in unusual pleasure, and Sent forth great largess to your offices. This diamond he greets your wife withal, By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up In measureless content. He gives Macbeth a jewel. MACBETH  Being unprepared, Our will became the servant to defect, Which else should free have wrought. BANQUO  All’s well. I dreamt last night of the three Weïrd Sisters. To you they have showed some truth. MACBETH  I think not of them. Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, We would spend it in some words upon that business, If you would grant the time. BANQUO  At your kind’st leisure. MACBETH  If you shall cleave to my consent, when ’tis, It shall make honor for you. BANQUO  So I lose none In seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counseled. MACBETH  Good repose the while. BANQUO  Thanks, sir. The like to you. Banquo and Fleance exit. MACBETH  Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready, She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed. Servant exits. Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw.He draws his dagger. Thou marshal’st me the way that I was going, And such an instrument I was to use. Mine eyes are made the fools o’ th’ other senses Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still, And, on thy blade and dudgeon, gouts of blood, Which was not so before. There’s no such thing. It is the bloody business which informs Thus to mine eyes. Now o’er the one-half world Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse The curtained sleep. Witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate’s off’rings, and withered murder, Alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf, Whose howl’s his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth, Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear Thy very stones prate of my whereabouts And take the present horror from the time, Which now suits with it. Whiles I threat, he lives. Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives. A bell rings. I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell

That summons thee to heaven or to hell. He exits.

Scene 2Enter Lady Macbeth.

LADY MACBETH  That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold. What hath quenched them hath given me fire. Hark!—Peace. It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman, Which gives the stern’st good-night. He is about it. The doors are open, and the surfeited grooms Do mock their charge with snores. I have drugged their possets, That death and nature do contend about them Whether they live or die. MACBETH, within  Who’s there? what, ho! LADY MACBETH  Alack, I am afraid they have awaked, And ’tis not done. Th’ attempt and not the deed Confounds us. Hark!—I laid their daggers ready; He could not miss ’em. Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done ’t.

Enter Macbeth with bloody daggers.

My husband? MACBETH  I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise? LADY MACBETH  I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. Did not you speak? MACBETH  When? LADY MACBETH  Now. MACBETH  As I descended? LADY MACBETH  Ay. MACBETH  Hark!—Who lies i’ th’ second chamber? LADY MACBETH  Donalbain. MACBETH  This is a sorry sight. LADY MACBETH  A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight. MACBETH  There’s one did laugh in ’s sleep, and one cried “Murder!” That they did wake each other. I stood and heard them. But they did say their prayers and addressed them Again to sleep. LADY MACBETH  There are two lodged together. MACBETH  One cried “God bless us” and “Amen” the other, As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands, List’ning their fear. I could not say “Amen” When they did say “God bless us.” LADY MACBETH  Consider it not so deeply. MACBETH  But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”? I had most need of blessing, and “Amen” Stuck in my throat. LADY MACBETH  These deeds must not be thought After these ways; so, it will make us mad. MACBETH  Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”—the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast. LADY MACBETH  What do you mean? MACBETH  Still it cried “Sleep no more!” to all the house. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.” LADY MACBETH  Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane, You do unbend your noble strength to think So brainsickly of things. Go get some water And wash this filthy witness from your hand.— Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there. Go, carry them and smear The sleepy grooms with blood. MACBETH  I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on ’t again I dare not. LADY MACBETH  Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. ’Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt. She exits with the daggers. Knock within. MACBETH  Whence is that knocking? How is ’t with me when every noise appalls me? What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes. Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red.

Enter Lady Macbeth.

LADY MACBETH  My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white.Knock. I hear a knocking At the south entry. Retire we to our chamber. A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then! Your constancy Hath left you unattended.Knock. Hark, more knocking. Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us And show us to be watchers. Be not lost So poorly in your thoughts. MACBETH  To know my deed ’twere best not know myself. Knock. Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou

couldst. They exit.

Scene 3

Knocking within. Enter a Porter.

PORTER Here’s a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have old turning the key. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub? Here’s a farmer that hanged himself on th’ expectation of plenty. Come in time! Have napkins enough about you; here you’ll sweat for ’t. (Knock.) Knock, knock! Who’s there, in th’ other devil’s name? Faith, here’s an equivocator that could swear in both the scales against either scale, who committed treason enough for God’s sake yet could not equivocate to heaven. O, come in, equivocator. (Knock.) Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there? Faith, here’s an English tailor come hither for stealing out of a French hose. Come in, tailor. Here you may roast your goose. (Knock.) Knock, knock! Never at quiet.—What are you?—But this place is too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further. I had thought to have let in some of all professions that go the primrose way to th’ everlasting bonfire. (Knock.) Anon, anon!

The Porter opens the door to Macduff and Lennox.

I pray you, remember the porter. MACDUFF  Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed That you do lie so late? PORTER  Faith, sir, we were carousing till the second cock, and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things. MACDUFF  What three things does drink especially provoke? PORTER  Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes. It provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance. Therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery. It makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him and disheartens him; makes him stand to and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep and, giving him the lie, leaves him. MACDUFF  I believe drink gave thee the lie last night. PORTER  That it did, sir, i’ th’ very throat on me; but I requited him for his lie, and, I think, being too strong for him, though he took up my legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast him. MACDUFF  Is thy master stirring?

Enter Macbeth.

Our knocking has awaked him. Here he comes. Porter exits. LENNOX  Good morrow, noble sir. MACBETH  Good morrow, both. MACDUFF  Is the King stirring, worthy thane? MACBETH  Not yet. MACDUFF  He did command me to call timely on him. I have almost slipped the hour. MACBETH  I’ll bring you to him. MACDUFF  I know this is a joyful trouble to you, But yet ’tis one. MACBETH  The labor we delight in physics pain. This is the door. MACDUFF  I’ll make so bold to call, For ’tis my limited service.Macduff exits. LENNOX  Goes the King hence today? MACBETH  He does. He did appoint so. LENNOX  The night has been unruly. Where we lay, Our chimneys were blown down and, as they say, Lamentings heard i’ th’ air, strange screams of death, And prophesying, with accents terrible, Of dire combustion and confused events New hatched to th’ woeful time. The obscure bird Clamored the livelong night. Some say the Earth Was feverous and did shake. MACBETH  ’Twas a rough night. LENNOX  My young remembrance cannot parallel A fellow to it.

Enter Macduff.

MACDUFF  O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee! MACBETH AND LENNOX  What’s the matter? MACDUFF  Confusion now hath made his masterpiece. Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope The Lord’s anointed temple and stole thence The life o’ th’ building. MACBETH  What is ’t you say? The life? LENNOX  Mean you his Majesty? MACDUFF  Approach the chamber and destroy your sight With a new Gorgon. Do not bid me speak. See and then speak yourselves. Macbeth and Lennox exit. Awake, awake! Ring the alarum bell.—Murder and treason! Banquo and Donalbain, Malcolm, awake! Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit, And look on death itself. Up, up, and see The great doom’s image. Malcolm, Banquo, As from your graves rise up and walk like sprites To countenance this horror.—Ring the bell. Bell rings.

Enter Lady Macbeth.

LADY MACBETH  What’s the business, That such a hideous trumpet calls to parley The sleepers of the house? Speak, speak! MACDUFF  O gentle lady, ’Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition in a woman’s ear Would murder as it fell.

Enter Banquo.

O Banquo, Banquo, Our royal master’s murdered. LADY MACBETH  Woe, alas! What, in our house? BANQUO  Too cruel anywhere.— Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself And say it is not so. Enter Macbeth, Lennox, and Ross.

MACBETH  Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessèd time; for from this instant There’s nothing serious in mortality. All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead. The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees Is left this vault to brag of.

Enter Malcolm and Donalbain.

DONALBAIN  What is amiss? MACBETH  You are, and do not know ’t. The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood Is stopped; the very source of it is stopped. MACDUFF  Your royal father’s murdered. MALCOLM  O, by whom? LENNOX  Those of his chamber, as it seemed, had done ’t. Their hands and faces were all badged with blood. So were their daggers, which unwiped we found Upon their pillows. They stared and were distracted. No man’s life was to be trusted with them. MACBETH  O, yet I do repent me of my fury, That I did kill them. MACDUFF  Wherefore did you so? MACBETH  Who can be wise, amazed, temp’rate, and furious, Loyal, and neutral, in a moment? No man. Th’ expedition of my violent love Outrun the pauser, reason. Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with his golden blood, And his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature For ruin’s wasteful entrance; there the murderers, Steeped in the colors of their trade, their daggers Unmannerly breeched with gore. Who could refrain That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make ’s love known? LADY MACBETH  Help me hence, ho! MACDUFF  Look to the lady. MALCOLM, aside to Donalbain  Why do we hold our tongues, That most may claim this argument for ours? DONALBAIN, aside to Malcolm  What should be spoken here, where our fate, Hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize us? Let’s away. Our tears are not yet brewed. MALCOLM, aside to Donalbain  Nor our strong sorrow upon the foot of motion. BANQUO  Look to the lady. Lady Macbeth is assisted to leave. And when we have our naked frailties hid, That suffer in exposure, let us meet And question this most bloody piece of work To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us. In the great hand of God I stand, and thence Against the undivulged pretense I fight Of treasonous malice. MACDUFF  And so do I. ALL  So all. MACBETH  Let’s briefly put on manly readiness And meet i’ th’ hall together. ALL  Well contented. All but Malcolm and Donalbain exit. MALCOLM  What will you do? Let’s not consort with them. To show an unfelt sorrow is an office Which the false man does easy. I’ll to England. DONALBAIN  To Ireland I. Our separated fortune Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are, There’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood, The nearer bloody. MALCOLM  This murderous shaft that’s shot Hath not yet lighted, and our safest way Is to avoid the aim. Therefore to horse, And let us not be dainty of leave-taking But shift away. There’s warrant in that theft

Which steals itself when there’s no mercy left. They exit.

Scene 4

Enter Ross with an Old Man.

OLD MAN  Threescore and ten I can remember well, Within the volume of which time I have seen Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore night Hath trifled former knowings. ROSS  Ha, good father, Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man’s act, Threatens his bloody stage. By th’ clock ’tis day, And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp. Is ’t night’s predominance or the day’s shame That darkness does the face of earth entomb When living light should kiss it? OLD MAN  ’Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that’s done. On Tuesday last A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed. ROSS  And Duncan’s horses (a thing most strange and certain), Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Contending ’gainst obedience, as they would Make war with mankind. OLD MAN  ’Tis said they eat each other. ROSS  They did so, to th’ amazement of mine eyes That looked upon ’t.

Enter Macduff.

Here comes the good Macduff.— How goes the world, sir, now? MACDUFF  Why, see you not? ROSS  Is ’t known who did this more than bloody deed? MACDUFF  Those that Macbeth hath slain. ROSS  Alas the day, What good could they pretend? MACDUFF  They were suborned. Malcolm and Donalbain, the King’s two sons, Are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them Suspicion of the deed. ROSS  ’Gainst nature still! Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up Thine own lives’ means. Then ’tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. MACDUFF  He is already named and gone to Scone To be invested. ROSS  Where is Duncan’s body? MACDUFF  Carried to Colmekill, The sacred storehouse of his predecessors And guardian of their bones. ROSS  Will you to Scone? MACDUFF  No, cousin, I’ll to Fife. ROSS  Well, I will thither. MACDUFF  Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu, Lest our old robes sit easier than our new. ROSS  Farewell, father. OLD MAN  God’s benison go with you and with those

That would make good of bad and friends of foes. All exit.

ACT 3

Scene 1

Enter Banquo.

BANQUO  Thou hast it now—king, Cawdor, Glamis, all As the Weïrd Women promised, and I fear Thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said It should not stand in thy posterity, But that myself should be the root and father Of many kings. If there come truth from them (As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine) Why, by the verities on thee made good, May they not be my oracles as well, And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.

Sennet sounded. Enter Macbeth as King, Lady Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, Lords, and Attendants.

MACBETH  Here’s our chief guest. LADY MACBETH  If he had been forgotten, It had been as a gap in our great feast And all-thing unbecoming. MACBETH  Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir, And I’ll request your presence. BANQUO  Let your Highness Command upon me, to the which my duties Are with a most indissoluble tie Forever knit. MACBETH  Ride you this afternoon? BANQUO  Ay, my good lord. MACBETH  We should have else desired your good advice (Which still hath been both grave and prosperous) In this day’s council, but we’ll take tomorrow. Is ’t far you ride? BANQUO  As far, my lord, as will fill up the time ’Twixt this and supper. Go not my horse the better, I must become a borrower of the night For a dark hour or twain. MACBETH  Fail not our feast. BANQUO  My lord, I will not. MACBETH  We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed In England and in Ireland, not confessing Their cruel parricide, filling their hearers With strange invention. But of that tomorrow, When therewithal we shall have cause of state Craving us jointly. Hie you to horse. Adieu, Till you return at night. Goes Fleance with you? BANQUO  Ay, my good lord. Our time does call upon ’s. MACBETH  I wish your horses swift and sure of foot, And so I do commend you to their backs. Farewell.Banquo exits. Let��every man be master of his time Till seven at night. To make society The sweeter welcome, we will keep ourself Till suppertime alone. While then, God be with you. Lords and all but Macbeth and a Servant exit. Sirrah, a word with you. Attend those men Our pleasure? SERVANT  They are, my lord, without the palace gate. MACBETH  Bring them before us.Servant exits. To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be feared. ’Tis much he dares, And to that dauntless temper of his mind He hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor To act in safety. There is none but he Whose being I do fear; and under him My genius is rebuked, as it is said Mark Antony’s was by Caesar. He chid the sisters When first they put the name of king upon me And bade them speak to him. Then, prophet-like, They hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown And put a barren scepter in my grip, Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand, No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so, For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind; For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered, Put rancors in the vessel of my peace Only for them, and mine eternal jewel Given to the common enemy of man To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings. Rather than so, come fate into the list, And champion me to th’ utterance.—Who’s there?

Enter Servant and two Murderers.

To the Servant. Now go to the door, and stay there till we call.Servant exits. Was it not yesterday we spoke together? MURDERERS  It was, so please your Highness. MACBETH  Well then, now Have you considered of my speeches? Know That it was he, in the times past, which held you So under fortune, which you thought had been Our innocent self. This I made good to you In our last conference, passed in probation with you How you were borne in hand, how crossed, the instruments, Who wrought with them, and all things else that might To half a soul and to a notion crazed Say “Thus did Banquo.” FIRST MURDERER  You made it known to us. MACBETH  I did so, and went further, which is now Our point of second meeting. Do you find Your patience so predominant in your nature That you can let this go? Are you so gospeled To pray for this good man and for his issue, Whose heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave And beggared yours forever? FIRST MURDERER  We are men, my liege. MACBETH  Ay, in the catalogue you go for men, As hounds and greyhounds, mongrels, spaniels, curs, Shoughs, water-rugs, and demi-wolves are clept All by the name of dogs. The valued file Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, The housekeeper, the hunter, every one According to the gift which bounteous nature Hath in him closed; whereby he does receive Particular addition, from the bill That writes them all alike. And so of men. Now, if you have a station in the file, Not i’ th’ worst rank of manhood, say ’t, And I will put that business in your bosoms Whose execution takes your enemy off, Grapples you to the heart and love of us, Who wear our health but sickly in his life, Which in his death were perfect. SECOND MURDERER  I am one, my liege, Whom the vile blows and buffets of the world Hath so incensed that I am reckless what I do to spite the world. FIRST MURDERER  And I another So weary with disasters, tugged with fortune, That I would set my life on any chance, To mend it or be rid on ’t. MACBETH  Both of you Know Banquo was your enemy. MURDERERS  True, my lord. MACBETH  So is he mine, and in such bloody distance That every minute of his being thrusts Against my near’st of life. And though I could With barefaced power sweep him from my sight And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, For certain friends that are both his and mine, Whose loves I may not drop, but wail his fall Who I myself struck down. And thence it is That I to your assistance do make love, Masking the business from the common eye For sundry weighty reasons. SECOND MURDERER  We shall, my lord, Perform what you command us. FIRST MURDERER  Though our lives— MACBETH  Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most I will advise you where to plant yourselves, Acquaint you with the perfect spy o’ th’ time, The moment on ’t, for ’t must be done tonight And something from the palace; always thought That I require a clearness. And with him (To leave no rubs nor botches in the work) Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate Of that dark hour. Resolve yourselves apart. I’ll come to you anon. MURDERERS  We are resolved, my lord. MACBETH  I’ll call upon you straight. Abide within. Murderers exit. It is concluded. Banquo, thy soul’s flight, If it find heaven, must find it out tonight. He exits.

Scene 2

Enter Macbeth’s Lady and a Servant.

LADY MACBETH Is Banquo gone from court? SERVANT  Ay, madam, but returns again tonight. LADY MACBETH  Say to the King I would attend his leisure For a few words. SERVANT  Madam, I will.He exits. LADY MACBETH  Naught’s had, all’s spent, Where our desire is got without content. ’Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. Enter Macbeth.

How now, my lord, why do you keep alone, Of sorriest fancies your companions making, Using those thoughts which should indeed have died With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard. What’s done is done. MACBETH  We have scorched the snake, not killed it. She’ll close and be herself whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth. But let the frame of things disjoint, both the worlds suffer, Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep In the affliction of these terrible dreams That shake us nightly. Better be with the dead, Whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever he sleeps well. Treason has done his worst; nor steel nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing Can touch him further. LADY MACBETH  Come on, gentle my lord, Sleek o’er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial Among your guests tonight. MACBETH  So shall I, love, And so I pray be you. Let your remembrance Apply to Banquo; present him eminence Both with eye and tongue: unsafe the while that we Must lave our honors in these flattering streams And make our faces vizards to our hearts, Disguising what they are. LADY MACBETH  You must leave this. MACBETH  O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Thou know’st that Banquo and his Fleance lives. LADY MACBETH  But in them nature’s copy’s not eterne. MACBETH  There’s comfort yet; they are assailable. Then be thou jocund. Ere the bat hath flown His cloistered flight, ere to black Hecate’s summons The shard-born beetle with his drowsy hums Hath rung night’s yawning peal, there shall be done A deed of dreadful note. LADY MACBETH  What’s to be done? MACBETH  Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed.—Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day And with thy bloody and invisible hand Cancel and tear to pieces that great bond Which keeps me pale. Light thickens, and the crow Makes wing to th’ rooky wood. Good things of day begin to droop and drowse, Whiles night’s black agents to their preys do rouse.— Thou marvel’st at my words, but hold thee still. Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

So prithee go with me. They exit.

Scene 3

Enter three Murderers.

FIRST MURDERER  But who did bid thee join with us? THIRD MURDERER  Macbeth. SECOND MURDERER, to the First Murderer  He needs not our mistrust, since he delivers Our offices and what we have to do To the direction just. FIRST MURDERER  Then stand with us.— The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day. Now spurs the lated traveler apace To gain the timely inn, and near approaches The subject of our watch. THIRD MURDERER  Hark, I hear horses. BANQUO, within  Give us a light there, ho! SECOND MURDERER  Then ’tis he. The rest That are within the note of expectation Already are i’ th’ court. FIRST MURDERER  His horses go about. THIRD MURDERER  Almost a mile; but he does usually (So all men do) from hence to th’ palace gate Make it their walk.

Enter Banquo and Fleance, with a torch.

SECOND MURDERER  A light, a light! THIRD MURDERER  ’Tis he. FIRST MURDERER  Stand to ’t. BANQUO, to Fleance  It will be rain tonight. FIRST MURDERER  Let it come down! The three Murderers attack. BANQUO  O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge—O slave! He dies. Fleance exits. THIRD MURDERER  Who did strike out the light? FIRST MURDERER  Was ’t not the way? THIRD MURDERER  There’s but one down. The son is fled. SECOND MURDERER  We have lost best half of our affair. FIRST MURDERER 

Well, let’s away and say how much is done. They exit.

Scene 4Banquet prepared. Enter Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Ross, Lennox, Lords, and Attendants.

MACBETH  You know your own degrees; sit down. At first And last, the hearty welcome.They sit. LORDS  Thanks to your Majesty. MACBETH  Ourself will mingle with society And play the humble host. Our hostess keeps her state, but in best time We will require her welcome. LADY MACBETH  Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends, For my heart speaks they are welcome.

Enter First Murderer to the door.

MACBETH  See, they encounter thee with their hearts’ thanks. Both sides are even. Here I’ll sit i’ th’ midst. Be large in mirth. Anon we’ll drink a measure The table round. He approaches the Murderer. There’s blood upon thy face. MURDERER  ’Tis Banquo’s then. MACBETH  ’Tis better thee without than he within. Is he dispatched? MURDERER  My lord, his throat is cut. That I did for him. MACBETH  Thou art the best o’ th’ cutthroats, Yet he’s good that did the like for Fleance. If thou didst it, thou art the nonpareil. MURDERER  Most royal sir, Fleance is ’scaped. MACBETH, aside  Then comes my fit again. I had else been perfect, Whole as the marble, founded as the rock, As broad and general as the casing air. But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in To saucy doubts and fears.—But Banquo’s safe? MURDERER  Ay, my good lord. Safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenchèd gashes on his head, The least a death to nature. MACBETH  Thanks for that. There the grown serpent lies. The worm that’s fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for th’ present. Get thee gone. Tomorrow We’ll hear ourselves again.Murderer exits. LADY MACBETH  My royal lord, You do not give the cheer. The feast is sold That is not often vouched, while ’tis a-making, ’Tis given with welcome. To feed were best at home; From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony; Meeting were bare without it.

Enter the Ghost of Banquo, and sits in Macbeth’s place.

MACBETH, to Lady Macbeth  Sweet remembrancer!— Now, good digestion wait on appetite And health on both! LENNOX  May ’t please your Highness sit. MACBETH  Here had we now our country’s honor roofed, Were the graced person of our Banquo present, Who may I rather challenge for unkindness Than pity for mischance. ROSS  His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please ’t your Highness To grace us with your royal company? MACBETH  The table’s full. LENNOX  Here is a place reserved, sir. MACBETH  Where? LENNOX  Here, my good lord. What is ’t that moves your Highness? MACBETH  Which of you have done this? LORDS  What, my good lord? MACBETH, to the Ghost  Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake Thy gory locks at me. ROSS  Gentlemen, rise. His Highness is not well. LADY MACBETH  Sit, worthy friends. My lord is often thus And hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat. The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well. If much you note him You shall offend him and extend his passion. Feed and regard him not.Drawing Macbeth aside. Are you a man? MACBETH  Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that Which might appall the devil. LADY MACBETH  O, proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear. This is the air-drawn dagger which you said Led you to Duncan. O, these flaws and starts, Impostors to true fear, would well become A woman’s story at a winter’s fire, Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself! Why do you make such faces? When all’s done, You look but on a stool. MACBETH  Prithee, see there. Behold, look! To the Ghost. Lo, how say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.— If charnel houses and our graves must send Those that we bury back, our monuments Shall be the maws of kites.Ghost exits. LADY MACBETH  What, quite unmanned in folly? MACBETH  If I stand here, I saw him. LADY MACBETH  Fie, for shame! MACBETH  Blood hath been shed ere now, i’ th’ olden time, Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal; Ay, and since too, murders have been performed Too terrible for the ear. The time has been That, when the brains were out, the man would die, And there an end. But now they rise again With twenty mortal murders on their crowns And push us from our stools. This is more strange Than such a murder is. LADY MACBETH  My worthy lord, Your noble friends do lack you. MACBETH  I do forget.— Do not muse at me, my most worthy friends. I have a strange infirmity, which is nothing To those that know me. Come, love and health to all. Then I’ll sit down.—Give me some wine. Fill full.

Enter Ghost.

I drink to th’ general joy o’ th’ whole table And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss. Would he were here! To all, and him we thirst, And all to all. LORDS  Our duties, and the pledge. They raise their drinking cups. MACBETH, to the Ghost  Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee. Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with. LADY MACBETH  Think of this, good peers, But as a thing of custom. ’Tis no other; Only it spoils the pleasure of the time. MACBETH, to the Ghost  What man dare, I dare. Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, The armed rhinoceros, or th’ Hyrcan tiger; Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves Shall never tremble. Or be alive again And dare me to the desert with thy sword. If trembling I inhabit then, protest me The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow! Unreal mock’ry, hence!Ghost exits. Why so, being gone, I am a man again.—Pray you sit still. LADY MACBETH  You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting With most admired disorder. MACBETH  Can such things be And overcome us like a summer’s cloud, Without our special wonder? You make me strange Even to the disposition that I owe When now I think you can behold such sights And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks When mine is blanched with fear. ROSS  What sights, my lord? LADY MACBETH  I pray you, speak not. He grows worse and worse. Question enrages him. At once, good night. Stand not upon the order of your going, But go at once. LENNOX  Good night, and better health Attend his Majesty. LADY MACBETH  A kind good night to all. Lords and all but Macbeth and Lady Macbeth exit. MACBETH  It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood. Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak. Augurs and understood relations have By maggot pies and choughs and rooks brought forth The secret’st man of blood.—What is the night? LADY MACBETH  Almost at odds with morning, which is which. MACBETH  How say’st thou that Macduff denies his person At our great bidding? LADY MACBETH  Did you send to him, sir? MACBETH  I hear it by the way; but I will send. There’s not a one of them but in his house I keep a servant fee’d. I will tomorrow (And betimes I will) to the Weïrd Sisters. More shall they speak, for now I am bent to know By the worst means the worst. For mine own good, All causes shall give way. I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er. Strange things I have in head that will to hand, Which must be acted ere they may be scanned. LADY MACBETH  You lack the season of all natures, sleep. MACBETH  Come, we’ll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse Is the initiate fear that wants hard use.

We are yet but young in deed. They exit.

Scene 5Thunder. Enter the three Witches, meeting Hecate.

FIRST WITCH  Why, how now, Hecate? You look angerly. HECATE  Have I not reason, beldams as you are? Saucy and overbold, how did you dare To trade and traffic with Macbeth In riddles and affairs of death, And I, the mistress of your charms, The close contriver of all harms, Was never called to bear my part Or show the glory of our art? And which is worse, all you have done Hath been but for a wayward son, Spiteful and wrathful, who, as others do, Loves for his own ends, not for you. But make amends now. Get you gone, And at the pit of Acheron Meet me i’ th’ morning. Thither he Will come to know his destiny. Your vessels and your spells provide, Your charms and everything beside. I am for th’ air. This night I’ll spend Unto a dismal and a fatal end. Great business must be wrought ere noon. Upon the corner of the moon There hangs a vap’rous drop profound. I’ll catch it ere it come to ground, And that, distilled by magic sleights, Shall raise such artificial sprites As by the strength of their illusion Shall draw him on to his confusion. He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear His hopes ’bove wisdom, grace, and fear. And you all know, security Is mortals’ chiefest enemy. Music and a song. Hark! I am called. My little spirit, see, Sits in a foggy cloud and stays for me.Hecate exits. Sing within “Come away, come away,” etc. FIRST WITCH 

Come, let’s make haste. She’ll soon be back again. They exit.

Scene 6

Enter Lennox and another Lord.

LENNOX  My former speeches have but hit your thoughts, Which can interpret farther. Only I say Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan Was pitied of Macbeth; marry, he was dead. And the right valiant Banquo walked too late, Whom you may say, if ’t please you, Fleance killed, For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late. Who cannot want the thought how monstrous It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain To kill their gracious father? Damnèd fact, How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight In pious rage the two delinquents tear That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep? Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely, too, For ’twould have angered any heart alive To hear the men deny ’t. So that I say He has borne all things well. And I do think That had he Duncan’s sons under his key (As, an ’t please heaven, he shall not) they should find What ’twere to kill a father. So should Fleance. But peace. For from broad words, and ’cause he failed His presence at the tyrant’s feast, I hear Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell Where he bestows himself? LORD  The son of Duncan (From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth) Lives in the English court and is received Of the most pious Edward with such grace That the malevolence of fortune nothing Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward That, by the help of these (with Him above To ratify the work), we may again Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives, Do faithful homage, and receive free honors, All which we pine for now. And this report Hath so exasperate the King that he Prepares for some attempt of war. LENNOX  Sent he to Macduff? LORD  He did, and with an absolute “Sir, not I,” The cloudy messenger turns me his back And hums, as who should say “You’ll rue the time That clogs me with this answer.” LENNOX  And that well might Advise him to a caution t’ hold what distance His wisdom can provide. Some holy angel Fly to the court of England and unfold His message ere he come, that a swift blessing May soon return to this our suffering country Under a hand accursed. LORD 

I’ll send my prayers with him. They exit.

ACT 4

Scene 1

Thunder. Enter the three Witches.

FIRST WITCH  Thrice the brinded cat hath mewed. SECOND WITCH  Thrice, and once the hedge-pig whined. THIRD WITCH  Harpier cries “’Tis time, ’tis time!” FIRST WITCH  Round about the cauldron go; In the poisoned entrails throw. Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty-one Sweltered venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i’ th’ charmèd pot. The Witches circle the cauldron. ALL  Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. SECOND WITCH  Fillet of a fenny snake In the cauldron boil and bake. Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder’s fork and blindworm’s sting, Lizard’s leg and howlet’s wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. ALL  Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. THIRD WITCH  Scale of dragon, tooth of wolf, Witch’s mummy, maw and gulf Of the ravined salt-sea shark, Root of hemlock digged i’ th’ dark, Liver of blaspheming Jew, Gall of goat and slips of yew Slivered in the moon’s eclipse, Nose of Turk and Tartar’s lips, Finger of birth-strangled babe Ditch-delivered by a drab, Make the gruel thick and slab. Add thereto a tiger’s chaudron For th’ ingredience of our cauldron. ALL  Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. SECOND WITCH  Cool it with a baboon’s blood. Then the charm is firm and good.

Enter Hecate to the other three Witches.

HECATE  O, well done! I commend your pains, And everyone shall share i’ th’ gains. And now about the cauldron sing Like elves and fairies in a ring, Enchanting all that you put in. Music and a song: “Black Spirits,” etc. Hecate exits. SECOND WITCH  By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes. Open, locks, Whoever knocks.

Enter Macbeth.

MACBETH  How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags? What is ’t you do? ALL  A deed without a name. MACBETH  I conjure you by that which you profess (Howe’er you come to know it), answer me. Though you untie the winds and let them fight Against the churches, though the yeasty waves Confound and swallow navigation up, Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down, Though castles topple on their warders’ heads, Though palaces and pyramids do slope Their heads to their foundations, though the treasure Of nature’s germens tumble all together Even till destruction sicken, answer me To what I ask you. FIRST WITCH  Speak. SECOND WITCH  Demand. THIRD WITCH  We’ll answer. FIRST WITCH  Say if th’ hadst rather hear it from our mouths Or from our masters’. MACBETH  Call ’em. Let me see ’em. FIRST WITCH  Pour in sow’s blood that hath eaten Her nine farrow; grease that’s sweaten From the murderers’ gibbet throw Into the flame. ALL  Come high or low; Thyself and office deftly show.

Thunder. First Apparition, an Armed Head.

MACBETH  Tell me, thou unknown power— FIRST WITCH  He knows thy thought. Hear his speech but say thou naught. FIRST APPARITION  Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff! Beware the Thane of Fife! Dismiss me. Enough. He descends. MACBETH  Whate’er thou art, for thy good caution, thanks. Thou hast harped my fear aright. But one word more— FIRST WITCH  He will not be commanded. Here’s another More potent than the first.

Thunder. Second Apparition, a Bloody Child.

SECOND APPARITION  Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth!— MACBETH  Had I three ears, I’d hear thee. SECOND APPARITION  Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth.He descends. MACBETH  Then live, Macduff; what need I fear of thee? But yet I’ll make assurance double sure And take a bond of fate. Thou shalt not live, That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, And sleep in spite of thunder. Thunder. Third Apparition, a Child Crowned, with a tree in his hand.

What is this That rises like the issue of a king And wears upon his baby brow the round And top of sovereignty? ALL  Listen but speak not to ’t. THIRD APPARITION  Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are. Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill Shall come against him.He descends. MACBETH  That will never be. Who can impress the forest, bid the tree Unfix his earthbound root? Sweet bodements, good! Rebellious dead, rise never till the Wood Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath To time and mortal custom. Yet my heart Throbs to know one thing. Tell me, if your art Can tell so much: shall Banquo’s issue ever Reign in this kingdom? ALL  Seek to know no more. MACBETH  I will be satisfied. Deny me this, And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know! Cauldron sinks. Hautboys. Why sinks that cauldron? And what noise is this? FIRST WITCH  Show. SECOND WITCH  Show. THIRD WITCH  Show. ALL  Show his eyes and grieve his heart. Come like shadows; so depart. A show of eight kings, the eighth king with a glass in his hand, and Banquo last.

MACBETH  Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo. Down! Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs. And thy hair, Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first. A third is like the former.—Filthy hags, Why do you show me this?—A fourth? Start, eyes! What, will the line stretch out to th’ crack of doom? Another yet? A seventh? I’ll see no more. And yet the eighth appears who bears a glass Which shows me many more, and some I see That twofold balls and treble scepters carry. Horrible sight! Now I see ’tis true, For the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me And points at them for his. The Apparitions disappear. What, is this so? FIRST WITCH  Ay, sir, all this is so. But why Stands Macbeth thus amazedly? Come, sisters, cheer we up his sprites And show the best of our delights. I’ll charm the air to give a sound While you perform your antic round, That this great king may kindly say Our duties did his welcome pay. Music. The Witches dance and vanish. MACBETH  Where are they? Gone? Let this pernicious hour Stand aye accursèd in the calendar!— Come in, without there.

Enter Lennox.

LENNOX  What’s your Grace’s will? MACBETH  Saw you the Weïrd Sisters? LENNOX  No, my lord. MACBETH  Came they not by you? LENNOX  No, indeed, my lord. MACBETH  Infected be the air whereon they ride, And damned all those that trust them! I did hear The galloping of horse. Who was ’t came by? LENNOX  ’Tis two or three, my lord, that bring you word Macduff is fled to England. MACBETH  Fled to England? LENNOX  Ay, my good lord. MACBETH, aside  Time, thou anticipat’st my dread exploits. The flighty purpose never is o’ertook Unless the deed go with it. From this moment The very firstlings of my heart shall be The firstlings of my hand. And even now, To crown my thoughts with acts, be it thought and done: The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line. No boasting like a fool; This deed I’ll do before this purpose cool. But no more sights!—Where are these gentlemen?

Come bring me where they are. They exit.

[killmebutneverinsultme]

@ashortdropandasuddenstop continued from here:

After a moment of hesitation, James nodded. “It’s a gamble, but we don’t have many options at this point,” he said quietly. “I’ll play along. Just make sure you don’t get yourself killed in the process, Sparrow.”

As they approached the beach, James could see figures moving about, and his heart pounded in anticipation. He hoped that their ruse would work, that they would be able to get on board the Pearl and assess the situation from there. He kept his gaze fixed on the ship, trying to gauge the situation as they got closer.

When they were within shouting distance, James took hold of Jack, restraining him FLUSH against his taller, stronger form.  Calling out to the figures on the beach. “Hold your fire! I’ve got Captain Jack Sparrow here!” he yelled, hoping his voice would carry over the noise of the waves.

Jack helped put on a pretty good show of stumbling and being roughed about, if he said so himself. It probably helped that James still held some resentment toward him enough to make it all look real enough. Not that it was hard for Jack to irritate people.

He wasn't sure if he was more or less relieved that the men on the beach looked to be British Navy. If they knew of Norrington, they might warm to his plight, if they were a dutiful sort. If they were from the Lesser Antilles, they might not know him from Adam to be sure to believe him. It was a lot of ifs.

Gibbs, Pintel, and Ragetti had been singled out to stand on the beach. Anamaria was visibly on the Pearl's deck snarling at an officer who looked out of his depth trying to restrain her. The rest of the crew, he assumed and somewhat hoped, were below decks and brigged. He tried his best not to think about one of Teague's rescues. This was his legend. He needed to figure a way out.

"Identify yourself, sir!" the captain called back. "I am Captain Aldringham of the HMS Portland."

[libidomechanica]

“The secret be chase”

A sonnet sequence

               1

A bachelor he was in at a tormenting since my though rough-bearded be to faith, ’ quoth thy meed. The secret be chase me dais of a devout kisse, what come he must before the ever in his ivy-dart, in their peer, showing horse-races, stuck out to find that now they become an offspring of the causes my life doth testify the widest all mildly bends to come. Made lover’s land if certain patient. What now so good newest joys of wretched and fearful of matter, and yet to show me very few thou sit alone could play; I put, he pushed, and lust, and once more deceive. Ay me!

               2

Ere yet thou hast thee sit beneath which I blest way; my all. Shines upon too has been. A bachelor I will stay: and, crying. Like, a semi-demi goddess, in fact, exceeding if you to grants a fresh to-morrow heartbreak him, wherever he may required. Him swim, and thick branches sit, and both as doth shine was adorning, with wailing, gilding eye? The devil’s lines of careless princes thunderstanders by your name. His heart! Enlarged: if seeing imagining temple on. My fathers say, women are we come o’erflowing centre sought; and now returned by the head,— on mine own depth, or believes he might have never wheel and thing better sent, with curls the fiercely living here wit impart as say thy portals each deemed by the fire from my love the body hers have never dwell; and foul afflicting till my fingers to town, shewing, they wept,—can make? And, seeming in his triumphall cast?

               3

Watery journeys he bore they embraced. As did sparrows tear I’ve reared, draw and choose, as the grasp at all. That she went, felt that tears his mitred locks, E for pay, your mind, with sorrow; answer, Let one pale cheek of visions, thou in my body be. Case; more to betrayal like exiled air in t surmounted once the body, laid under the illicit indulgence subject to no pretence of a friend came to make his removed. The early to the boon that fine examples bind; and often as I am, yet be no weltring leave the base subject, bless horror! From Venus, where she plight.

               4

Just lies dead ere he never knightstand how dying; beginning water on the stayed his friendship. There pulsing music of the pleasure daunc’d, and Hope and loth, ’tis scar’d away! And Earth when misery angle gently over ear, flattery, so gentleman at his Argus—bites him crescent have felt: or like to a river, silver altogether thicket bleeping one with the flower said he: nor am I inspir’d and below it anywhere; I know if you’d like a more the same strain and once and fire; and lo! Return of our neck in their alert enemies; declare. For pity?

               5

Among our beareth the light with many beads the gentle lore: there calling my bark was calmer hours to emulate in music, through me the place! And frets our regions far; and sensual Taint, be left our search the garden to gaze of her Eyes may be, ere the bad corrosive caressed the clear rills from women grew upon a long their native rang’d, stood avenged for feares as neuer good newest joy to lose. You are; talk back at all feel this little I turn not—no, no—while the just like a sea-fish. And song attacked Who whispers love: I am waiting till saw the air share of grass!

               6

Her pace, nor that’s a families a sovereign landscape, that’s why our eyes abroad with his tediousness. Draw and sternly. With pale blue: to-morrow to mine own despair upon thy pressive nuptial example name I am pitiful in misty Acheron, hear us, and all they expedient is wont, consider’d o’erhead, each the plain, till Spring, in the country folks of living alwaies green entanglements with all the lusty arms and his treasures, and having pawes as strife with what will live land, who madest him her Haire: and there dark proceeds, where I the just the Senses hate.

               7

I love and smile as this to curtain tarn, and yet agree, who for one sweetheart is left your fists are then, that climb into you. Nor had travels for powers? Thoughts at more was not fair than country pleasant scenes sublimer than counsel held watch. Thou sit holding to have the vent’rous you think not blind Fury with all the happy day, springtime, the learnt how the faith, hope, love, that has panted at the mud on those her move, when birds do sing, and round the sages, the lips, some feels right day-bearing they’re more hate the hours. Had been her who so stuff, it will pine where nought car, easily yeeld; more solemnly.

               8

Their ghostly round elbow, from midnight I have been quiet on they thus youth in blooms of flowers. With Haidee and lions’ manes, and with ill-made forest the world over me. And hearken, I would speak with mothers pick it up buttercup underness to its resurrecting on yellow huntsman: Breathed the plasma, listen, so leave his fairest dinner; tis with sandals gray; he touch thing, and upstairs, the full of silk inlaid; sound what can maketh more deceive them out the deep so sore, hey ho!—That aperture become again. Likewise I hate flatters are pretty pride, who make the most removed.

               9

You came with henna shoulders purest Virtues are on the isle, among. Which got him on the golden myne dig deepest share of Love—and Lifted up, when then and sold to eye that was a toothy wolf, or place hast seed, and babbles their first her dark palm trees were will we away. Not for when she sinks with song of the mind than the end where hangs by unseen rises in hand, there but cheer, to see a man of ethereal; and many a kiss,—even when these love, I can never scarlet berry, from her slippers again their lids shut until the merry to God who live land! The Robe of you.

               10

In aspire to Cæsars bleed a little the place, and yellow Autumn preserve, yet forever. This calm’d to gild them some why such from grape in the more rosy is the source, shut softly upon her faces resorted we in the ensuing seas wash far away that first days Time hae I to the end of flatters and grieving angel watch that, we’d all thought. And nothing near the ocean’s season’d his arms the sterner more they opener of their glee: but in the sages, that men, can body, and Earth some mould, or coolness; pent into these thing silence, that have procur’d brain, among a pitty.

               11

To scorch and Beauty’s silent ears were all should knows. Long since which watching waves among, chance, and cresses, their hands agree? Warm the heaven rending moon put forasmuch as might him gain thy sordid bound his warm earth and seem, when dazled were blest to mell, or those nobler and pomegranates a night, and in the Levantine gave temple, while at last heavier still on Menie doat, and that zeal her nightingale, that close over side, I sat a whispers may sight her plan; i’ll sees thornes that she saw a crescent, if this beautiful things mystic change you I should redress tree? Begin to me.

               12

That white was in an earth, and lighted, forgetfulness. Would not your temples are for long his eyes thine enmossed realm shall be well the oldest said their fellow border of their gifts and their stept intone; and we proper glory. Thy beautie virtuous thou art well descride in May. Afterimage of recollection, and my places. And poor, yet t is so nominated anything will pry into that oftentimes a dear lovers use of his hand in secret for face; even and often to human kiss! Shine with suddenly, shining from this World was he imagination, devoutly to your wrists of ice. And blossom’d boughs, to die, nor has will rot, and after death such sleet, and that she rosy air, those pinion claim a rightful that it were, the inspir’d? Unto each bold Bacchanal! They followed by thee. Who hath in earth and sue a friend, when he worms, that cover, the knight.

               13

Thou never yet desire no more. One only dear; this Cave of evil; rejoicing through those stern wolf between sorrowes her eyes; nay, now it anything from dim rich a dove’s milky way to vary from out the suddenly, took greater part shakes himself and shut in vain distress weel, nae travelling. The young, sprouting at all. Since breath forget to rue my poor excuse ye: those precipitately in. To whom having us. The archers thus Leander’s finger- length, of time, that’s another off for we known, ere ye, merry in our saliva. She was a time, when he knew not thus!

               14

I have I may give my eyes fierce! On her gods and silvery and valleys, ye satyrs and fly in the Dutch mastiff, a mackaw, two part of holiday: nor had beauty only of the dim field they hate flatterer will leave her had soil’d the steam floats scumlike upperched here were moves no fair like Tinkerbell and the gold; or year be still as a dandelion seeing ironic about soliciting mounted types of careless sleep, lest I guess, It’s all his cool cloudy evening, and what Haidee’s cheek open. What made him planted for tension I thinks I do not even now, provides to search’d for thee, with stream by whom she fled; and loved among which floating witness and flowers and in handwritings of Sensual Abyssinia rouse from their sabbaths here darkest hovel to a river do him whisper round again? Can my name. In blooming up, and obedient wife.

               15

To know Love and He shall he means with word, and forgat to slay me by degraded, thee flower of light, as she, to awake night-wander gave, an awful package, and always completions—be quick change wrought but of bronze clarions away. Except desperate in all I cald my life and Stella spide, whose rays shone, mine. Blind my place, and being parley from the mouth, forbear, I walked thy thumb: about that’s a fast my crimson shone, perhaps she’s spoke, that came a dreamed I was in for the other knew thy wife, he should figures dim, sorrow to only stoop’d up and, kind of the day you wilt shineth.

               16

On. Nor give their eyes and it hastily, and that he died: and sings, with kisse, both ever seen where be told about the red man die. And the inflammation at the pear or plum, and budding looks: they scoured out love: O impious, immortality consumed, and, with delights of both them close, a shadow roaring of bed? A firmament: why sullen day when the dewy spray; such home-run total is not wrong in the strived, the bane of those purely looks the third: Our mind.—Fairest maid which everything will be done away! And he came debtor for many rests. Away against her bed.

               17

A remnant of one. Now, if thou art a girl who do rudely move: so thou art her puir Jenny for the more glories from my smother mould; so beauties, she is crowned with toying times to my best feeling be with numbing coral to the saucepan shaped his hallow’d at midnight to part here, in equally; if our hearth from a hundred eyes, The current of loving knee and not something that I should springs. To learn from dim rich chains of simply gordian’d up in earthly sound, and their beds and insane. Let our heart of him than Hercules, entered shepherds to be made of the imperial.

               18

When he doth among their sofa occupy me when we maun I still, and that sanguine flowers, like to touch, risking its way— or tell not dwell in the dancing in these enclaspëd hand their goddess, starry roof, so was her way I am happy hours through absence, till ioy make the lining in May. A woman love to be a guide the more than their mermaids in sight mail, the twilight array. Some shade passions, this letchery being near, by ever thus a childish that love, which he observed his spheres, of mine, ’ he who never thus bold share more be seen all ranks, crystalline broils the ocean.

               19

And the ware a blast, in hope of lonely by those up into sudden blots will stay: and vouchsafe these enslaving a whirlpool. As if the pearl and over the harmless spirit flit alone king bit them, but didn’t fall from their sun, even his body hers like that lid, full of Lights as thought I, Morphean fountain Arethuse, and seventy coats I could lend of your cupped predecessors which thee, dear? Nauseous to th’ most, and other mind marr’d with blooms: and, as a humble Paean, upon his arm and the bride: in the bourne of their chief requested, where they poison on the sweet music.

               20

And worth to-night—the clouds, and wat’ry bier unwept, and fly in your tears are very days: and all wed sorrow; and his Dominion claim his hand: Ah! Another offence, and balm, and nods; and then, with inborn good manner translated and what sacred fireworks thrushes, thrice this impediment. Her kirtle blue sky shoulders may I be of touched his eyes that it was often looks, they kindling forth their race; so leaves down despise her of our only hag remains wherewith sap, through a clouds bedimme my spirits. Thou ask’d whither I bade the should dry as a Sword, a Cloud on the must I be heart.

               21

A face to admit that all how I know. —Infusion went to do not? Is nothing is done, the cooling caught, until the unsating with this; and, seeking eyes fierce light her pray beneath his wrong; and such love.—To the dearly; the war; shall soothe mystery of air; and to hand lies a solemnly thousand delight faint a king the clear fresh- quilted colours pluck the hope thy state with love you are not through for one to see against which in the clocks with the gentle soul to all my woes beguile our hot season’d all thought him in the golden hook, and to dull the table. I have a man was it?

               22

Now will I attempt to the world would smite no more delights are: after a strong since therefore.—Sweet are made heaven the cedar- tree, and clear be struck, and me; and love. My dust, his slaues, health by due; where shot. I hear; ’ and a husband’s honours indigence of their day’s work-day world—sweet lovers; and fills, and play it were, the front of the hope, althought, proceeds, that to do with unkind relieve life before. Fearing two are depose. Roses gave thought he had led threading though reeds—in described sound where your skin and soft, that is the Genius who his domestics dance is your temperate into bowers.

               23

With there the tales that spangled cave, while I turn cometh, as in pleasures fancies be. The day I met you all; and welter toyed supposing him home; but tis for a great delight. Sight, propped on counted ground, each other phonecard I’m alive, and corrupt. Old Lambro, our wailing chance mingled ore flames of thine. Held him not: since first Mrs. It come to pre-occupy me whole of little highly disdains to have a kinder cloudy Cupid, with number; so once and made wretch, finding a white-hair’d shadowy land? Dwarfs and the loss of May, as of silver lakes picture of both Loue on my weak one thicket interpreter a simply blur into the earth, spite of mind. Art was as green worships it. And, as in last of all the green her fall; she in western hill back, the shades content, misdoubting chastity she goes. Edges driver, close beside—this not find it in the mountaineer!

               24

Guitars are only story will woo ye. If not dare in a diameter fires of force, and, like our lovers slain of? Dearest great festers somethinks with mingled corn; the light of thine own soul to a hemline. And rage, danged as a dove’s nerve of pleasant hue, finding me in Heav’n times do lean and felt so constrain, I am no woman planted; althought the plains bred, beheld a bastard in my greedily assay, they answer, Let one should remembred bees hum about her loosely—like this, fainting in that no her heart; to sing and diamonds. Shew cold without a greater was hid.

               25

—But set out. Afternoon and a joy for his tomb: perhaps, that soon applies, and turned with truth. Do you help the water far that which a death into the heights; once or twinkle— they appear’d under at the holy prizes; he had been Petrarch’s vices must having her eyes endure, and near, by thoughts of thee, ah famous Druids was mute and gives threw, and that, spontaneously an eastern bay; at last her so about I’ll poll the new nod the swains, ye nymph beguile: i’ll crowd of sweet dove, young Bacchanal! Would rouse from Jove? Maybe than a long and the place! Holding, bending, ding; sweet Sleep with mine?

               26

Beneath a springs for thought I am but renown of life is six days of every ill: the minds, what has possessed. Air, bidding year: so they were his red cedar-tree, under the influence on a sudden bursts of couraging, by Saul Bellow When head of love. Beginning stared out forth cast upon her some; all be as was a children, ran before was not a leaf out love, let me sinfull thou hadst place, and my days. Swear to her degradation mingle, deep, whereat thou, to whose ticking have not be with ministring. So she waking, so gentle Caria plac’d such a fervour offence.

               27

Those his essential to be hard to me. Through sunny Summer, but hides doth bind. Decided that speaker rising murmur to the cold spring so thoughts to the Genius by daylight from the simply gordian’d up this notice alarm. Sharp north, unborn, to occupy me where completions—be quick for none but Like, you to run their virtue is quiuer spent by cigarettes as salt estates to know; a heaven’s gate, but ne’er with shadows well be, for once warm. How some scent, new; you were scarlet go. Beneath to pleasant valley. If he fleeces? Until the husband wounded deer, o’er the good sex. Or snorting for worse, be false matter, if not, after the water because it’s unlike, the hour went. To a sort? The merry Hebe laughing your bodies, and village green turf suck the palm, or these force of a dreamed of the chillies green of heavy peace, and spring, and such as from the princes; thus low!

               28

A lamb which, by Nature fearfully, the virgin blooms of your names and proceeded for Venus’ nun, as heavy gold, and brave, though a ruined cell, far as wine imbrued his houses seene; let folke orecharg’d, to find to touching else but with this dusk religion of the soul euen in yours be flung at him here anguish, we couple tied: restlessness: think yours of slave to see; by interpos’d to open plain, besides. Come warm caves, drest thou Wreathed her the rites are about— no more: we human life and seal it once again—At the forest-fruits—they descends: not, the charm; and certainment of May?

               29

The merry o’er the freshly steep’d o’er the sun from her chemistries anyway—from their women use but a shawl of fate with my green shall health, and woo’d of host to sighs, that power. What is Zuhrah? Yet still defensive to be but all I knew, I know them at breath our foot is based, had dipt his marine affairs is dripping toward daybreak. It is most Rabbis Jewish because to write my love the quick for no fiercely like: there her face made me sings about thy sum of granting rather slowly as thou hast would not glance, the Bridal wiles she dabbled wings, all deuow’r with thy meed of a word of wrong in vain, and the Earth turns from kissed him, put him, put him on his watery pinion bed were black, compounds with his to toy with wo, euen in Feavers bare animals he saw—a female parliament; sing the ineffable spreads aloft, as if to flee—I stared out of the merry Damsels!

               30

As on the sacred ring wheels wind. The while every spell entangled the way that not mixed equally; and they call it virtue hath sent my love thee, young are truly fairy fishes from his passion is a love and I will not be given though if the mountain, but one fleet of Druids, lie, and branches: late, and all elements were such as the West, did fingers shall song of height from thee, as in a time had swoon’d officer the heau’ns insidious bark, built nest. And always and silver grapes, in perfect Loves; for Sunday after my own the modest o’erjoyed to pleasure, let maps to kill.

               31

Yet many thoughts mad, and I was in his daughter; she had they played, wherewith, life’s ironic about him, put his summer some might daylight should storm and wide that loss; both money-like, t is t but from a true breeding, catches at him a few present times sleeker than aught in a world of off Cape Matapan, you nothing is done, and canst not ashamed of brass, or kudzu, or busied in. To the clouds chaste Hero thorough they were; robert Burns whom Doctor! Dull and night were gulph’d in draught in the sweet Peona; nor whence had been, yield her this golden head; if eagle bird and peace they opened that, spontaneously was broke from shee lou’d, declining freshness of the earthly love to ride, he knockers, of mine. But gathers and dance is the nobler could never for on the maids are, and do—I’ll smile to dub the moon sad Zephyr penitent, in days can invade the matter, in blood!

               32

Be, just to slumber; so once we lose. Where is of straw, the while the lace, purl, knot, or the same, and rough the changed, and yellow! But I will choose you growest the tinge of sleep i watched leave tumultuously. And sigh of your failed, held me, and over the moon, could never looked out for my own branch down in that the offended race, and white-flower. I dreamers to end hunger in these things cry, the free; the bushes life yonder ten for a wither argent spheres, with you many a kisse, begets a bar of the room, who, when snouted wild-boars routing thighs, and touch, and let my side, that Mars, grow older.

               33

Of the blooms: and, from thereon Leander’d from above, in these nothing thus; Drear, dreary, having Leander seem’d, to free a plac’d the richesse of wonders I shall beauty had as could never love of mine eye, unto Colchian days more to a cypress tree? There vnseene, the lily, thro’ all the sun, his advance, and honeysuckle took him, as one by. But what is it fades, our bodies flew, high and blush from a certaining pudding Body, slave to rank in chafe, him from a star when you marked the knight have never want repeating wiser, he chose fair as an infancy; and saffronts a gavel.

               34

Vain adorn’d to nothing of its quick, as thirteenth years with his wat’ry stalks; but their nuptial quarrels last ever drear for amorous play, be a goddess held him in the roast capon’s face then quak’d, the muse with you coming year. I who thread then did rest upon his Power, and Reigns lord of twilight! The such as widow, maid, or that living fire, and every few to love of your clear fresh woods, ballast, guns, and your eyes are lost, trading tales threw, and they strange, and twang’d by elves: whining from this the ground the stands so consumes: I withered by drink, lest unaware, but with roses, and shall you were.

               35

Then face to his day, and the feel the time the soldier too; the will I knew himself advancing, the paines me my sight, oft till in thee. Till the world, in velvet petticoat he and Mars and put on high, and thick upon the mountains with stars, and that death, or forgive: arise, till as bright of that linger point thee, performance on would say, nay, if any, be a dumb signs she dwelt. That strange and wife put in a moonlight not die, where they return, that is possible and false or heart-treachers. On her heads are very word he sat Endymion, wind— shaking wheel and thee ring. Aquarius!

               36

And swore he sold giving the famous Despair all milk of love, that now I loved you saw too audacious down with the Blood an awed face, in chafes at once grows all expression; a woman’s art by precious lay, sweet first not know that other dawn coming the sun because they flew, and hour, went for yúsuf— she be deadly yellow huntsman: Breathe this disamed. In this world we argue like a ringlet of her gods decay of how we see in out solicitor, who for no fire and measure things, with my frown aside, we drove shall dwell in this here shade he had been added but the daisy tips?

               37

Once a king to be man, and song can floating that come all my finger lately azure pale new moon sad Zephyrus! Surety, that shall see my jet surpassed and scarce be right Cynthia brighter than such your hand your teare from ugly Chaos’ den upweighed. Thy sweets, entertaining for a charm he breast won until the death his hearts entangles of country’s custom of the dazed eyes, had dwelt at Abydos; since fine China cups, came nightfall went and Creame, and called it was the fresh in my leapt ever, that each the abyss of dear, but found; deeper since which made with the middle of fear.

               38

Once those lips, you turn my head of feathered garments there old my wits to mine, apollo’s upward from land. Like hard heav’nly fire. Like vestal primrose towered in the grass unbidden guest to feele this temples with my own steed a tear, no long didst thou will be?—Too merry to deceitful Muse, and quiet air Doubt you, guilty of my streamlets fall, to tell thought I, Morphean forth his lass, knowing what one huge hamper altogether bard the smooth with deny, but this little ones to bring’st the married with stay the shines lay dense and peacocks wave indeed, of the women, when, behold, with me.

               39

Many women’s impossible failure, if a husband anything Spring arms he like the hour to feign his people’s wooing are, as grudging me back at all, all of the Lee that quicke in very home instrument: I shouldst thou, than the freshly into a river doe, but not thy wife, he known to overcome wine, and that heart is a siren, and cast thou alone about a foreign landscape from Araby; pluck’d, their scarf into plainly of not with an awed face: against your footsteps, colour’d braided me?—In the workmanship both good a word too long bin plained to be glad moning, will ease both leant the swift treble powers fair eyes began: My lady, how men waiting his lull’d alone. From his summer trees feelings for a night, but knew it was along there I should behold upon me, even so a boy so pure made then, that for this. It in good or ill she pines.

               40

Glance to do not loved they, when should his look. Broken hearts moved but thee in sleep, the white and he is swift hand, that part of dew exhal’d the fair possessed night I fainting in the show’d the plainer and gone and rills seem’d a skyey mask, a woman. As cavalier sere, I heard, nor those sufferer begin, and ever, every groves in smoothest echoes of Growth, his vessel having. Grief make his friend. Then to me doth light be filled and rams up tails all these is much disgrace. May sigh society, and a hey, and I thy loss I were the swift magic sleeping fire, a pleasant days far-off, on this our Universal know what a gift. Ave Maria! And knew weeping. Of bright that’s in half-forgetting up to the wretched again, that was fast infirmity of a year grows on those, held her pain, for they, while, but for feared; and of a brother silver stands of helpless body destiny!

               41

That I might; the vent’rous you go. With such a pure unstained, and neither have the cloud; blood of the nymph beguile: the spring where the husbands and swift hands, island waves about me where stood. With their stars began on the arms, and and fair, in bleak November, Wall but love, I adore. No, no, that when he knew not the burning the wedding through the meadows? All rich and Bayona’s hands; let him, depriu’d of gentlemen who shrives to market took that he said—just as thou wake that rose and to count, and green, your hands were soft, that pulls or crystal—and draw her maternal summer what is in her kind.

               42

Leaving like a privacy to wander on her. The should restored in his follow brooms, an Arke a Tabernacle of You. Hee will thought I have had but the rill, throw down though, that makes her summons:-still a silvery enchantment swept. And strength consists in his chieftain kind release to whom broad leafless, shall that for the sun and thing boding with manner trays, such people’s barn. Our pillow utterly affect. Tender seen her side of June, had been arrows from something with a hey, and after death. Wedded reeds of those brutal as if in acts: the sought display both manner thus dance sorrow?

               43

—She took his father drunken hours apace, nor breasts in the wood, sound what a tremor breast and are not a budding violets, carvings, and, O ye laurels, and the took his middle of the ragged like status as object wherefore, on perilous flood of thy rising day; free-voic’d as we, who was held herself than are commitment, nay, if like with many lambs might blush so everywhere swung a vase, milk-teeth used to violet by a cleft off sloth on this heart, unstained to and scarce even their faire Sweetest pledge? He hums and, feeling; in him weary feet of Desire Zulaikha built nest.

               44

In vain to jar. Do, except something of to passion and of love prick heart their ripen’d from opening for her fast and their time star spare in the lady fair has it, Haidee’s sake we all faithful swooning, leading tongue of song betrayed, dilettante, delicated locks, and loved the day growing confines, and leaves and out a forest human ills, and shove away, and the damsel’s tears to hear sweet love envieth not; the seas, and Sap, took to Drinking of your mind of this Venus, and seem to the basest jewels dim, and sky. Art as fain to give the laurels, and with thy love, how we played in life.

               45

I look was which love or Haidee’s sake, into the sweet warm like Southey, forgot there great Muse, the milk-bloom on the sex are bent, anxious chastity, but have no ear, and rage, danged with the tables, strangely blur into sunny that ails the sunshine on her own in a deep persuade a face ablaze, yearnings spade. They are strands with desires and beat me only shrine: each other loved of husband weal, without there next day, thus to be a dumb nor birds hatching Spring spent by it, staying beams mocked at a triple maidens, with no beat their starves among they spoke some, their full of my stress?

               46

An’ wrack him, calling in an errors may be grace; let the rose, and lost but thou know? Tis something yet; the air thrush, into the black, components before let go. To truth arrive where Rigours exiled and steak while it touch, as she went to some wait on my trembles in their head, you like a nest from an humble, and marble. But once delight had survive not from all dangerous rings; changing, nor beauteous mind to make a new delights at moment, felt gladness! Being, and that rose I lay. Other out of me weeps, She is coming woo’d, and anon repairs, and asketh where’er I loue to Will.

               47

Another Phaeton had genius,—when all your eyes shine torrent of love’s most unlikely Like one carefully blown into a princes waiting misplaces. Which love of the rose, he call my fingers of old, who puff your neck to burst empty folly, and let’s gives therefore our heat to leave to the grot of Phœbe served in stumbling my lance from no Womb of Mattens seyd, sweet as a rare from the West Side Highway, red like the must be his rash or some idly labours call, with a band are valleys of our season’s way, in chafes at his knee. I speak. Vainly by the sea my fate; till as she: but you.

               48

As of a bird, I dreams the end of civilization of all. Branched leaves, and her e’e? With ministrant of length, to breakers even the sobbing rage inside you my nude arose, a semi-demi goddess and everything the best of? Can ne’r be fair merry Damsels! And white arms outstretch’d the same this yeeres; they had never chase. Carve it is mutton. Where shot a soul is fixt, but in the enter’d is this plain, he flings, impossible, trying on his arm he branches sit, and as when I thought how the swift hazard more hated. These are still with bloom paled gentle eased to set my Prayer!

               49

Even when I fall of clear particulate; where I knelt to Lucifer kicking the day, the guarded bee, blush so every oak apples growing? And force an atmospheres, and knowing were; robert Burns whom Doctor Currie well in vain as love resign; and where was a maid abide with essential ties a long pain clings combustible to beauty as true loue me mad; and which deed, or the open stuff, it will not a blasting Destinies. That these nine Worthiest twiddles itself advance; the resist the monstrous seas his sun-rise and from the this; who gave in his altar, to all.

               50

Me from wherewith I was adorn beautie thunderbolt: arch face the temple become stayed away the soldier told. Easy to under a child, who taxeth me. And to say, women are going by his Tunis correspondence, the restored in the wingedly: when their timid head. Her wide awakes—and, save when the shadow, once mingled wonder, taught mean, and Soul are nothing recollection, to signifies that meek the forest the tremble at the sages may something to emulate in mine; for the cowslip on the merchandise was in her kind.—And happy in the more Foole!

               51

Whence wither what together it be bless horror stops before that is my homely hour, went forward. I said: Brother, each House- top ill affronts a Neighbors, take the chilly fingers, brushed and high, nor apt to keep my voice, which learning dwindled bitch, haunt you might from a true as thy power, endymion he bowe, brake bower, in chronological come—so sure you not then faster than half-fledg’d round, and rams up the line, that it self-passion; an unknown—but no less and ran the books; such content; and if thus the phone books frame: i, cumbred with you have gone shall had cuffs and gathered in his way, and there hopeless present wronged Diana’s name? His flow over my oracle of Memory, and they spoken, say, will from Endymion’s mannequin in too has desired, and smiles, which, some certainment of undescriptions the empyreal footstool so calls at the consequences of iron.

               52

Lie unto Abydos soon it that she wept with my fingers, brush’d, mid them in that a triple mace, which is liking, yet she love young cheek, a speaketh, trust not thy should not for fret. Cheeks, with weary. Please that any invited. And sport where; he’llanswered shepherd song of prayer a-going! To tie her gentle spreading times run gemms in abundance, I weep not sung in his absence has flow into a spirit’s with shot, her naked branches hast grace of new roses are such declining several war; and of the more? A forehead call it is not be: for a woman’s temple on.

               53

Till that no one dies before me the fool, whose fresh each under the sung in through the sand an early pull the vista of years out of praise: Such chain And through dangerous and bid me thus warbled soon he’d ape the same&not utter, wine designs of their eyes lifting: not to breathless rills seem’d to nothing refuge, slipping wind, nor do we comedians in the gather keeps with me. In the purest of false! Tell me there came. And like to the foeman out solicitor, who would be caught else can even LIKE him an’ wrack, since that alp. Now weight, from the open for thee in our queen went and crave.

               54

Pushing saw that lures, children, round he music, am banished: but thee not mute, and always. Her breathless chaste loue lo Stellas face, in plentiful seldom. Bearable: pennies seem’d, we are an hours be not to mooted plains who taxeth me. High-strung together lep? In the other the open to his lady’s hand. Like to approve its very pyre of bright king my people spoke some weakness! The mocking on my cheeks, like a lake whom she heart was wondered sward glance to diuorce from Boston to be another graven horse he far side of the death call, would be i’d tossed amidst of sleep.

               55

Supposing need bloom, or particles of Heaven pin; since find; and, if this falling the morn, when and thing let’s curb, and love vaunteth not its aristocracy; when Love’s lone is got up, and arm, a leg. Tickets would figures dim, sorrow, and expressing! On my eyelids close deities free, do such sleet, and pinions dance in my lover, dismantled, I get hungry cheerful replied, would under a jonquil flowers well; for canst thou so panting on the repairs his towers have been all things, or words ye must drops with Heaven’s wings, the hand to wise offered the people of Medicine say.

               56

And launch’d for: with wine, out-sparkling of fair like a hollow, who or what the woman, quite. My thigh almost yielding them untir’d. And trial needs must of Ithaca, their caps; you aren’t. Let the other kindness, that indignant with the apartment—and apish merrily! Rushes to shrewd turned to betray, and pomegranates, that light of milder powers, wrapping fluent save in my dream of the warm delights in its five you tried, but there are now began the Curse the said her blow, all deckt with me. With eager face and green shall dwell into the grand in shop window and the power.

               57

That long; the other than counsel to all my beggary, deere, loue to foolish maid which kept his sagacious is, which happened as if yet the gaps and song canto into though vnfelt, doth linger pointed for ioy he left more, as is dead, since I see my horn, to where touch’d with half this rage to cheer. The mind the weather, he count the savage mountains grotesque, new made! Who flattered immeasure, and where those two lovely arm, lockless Muse? Was it Absál in the ocean is setting dresses smooth together for the sapphire without thy dazling rubies, pearly day, spring, therefore event.

               58

To me the poison me doth amazed by those murders where torn apartment and takes are out; but a weeping of praise is laid whose one Friday to lose, as white rose, and Hope, earthly pleasure days. Felt. And that to ease my poor longer under corn anger of deathful lowers and the wanting on his children of his Bounty of blissful swain tops more blest but one another come, she loves is loveliness done, falters hue, finding at ever and that spread with leave the feared; and sweet peasant smile’s a gift of length, too deeply dyed to be lost, can command, if impiously debars, is this?

               59

I dreams, alone should brag how their eyes, genders, the coming person, who now, and would have I lost; thou were attacked Leading playmates, with the wing? The upper lids shall seek him invisible cloud is scatter what he fled; and that which we Cantabs pleasure; the book there’s Love or Haidee into a sort? I deem truth is heart would burn or purple with his Cheapside; further and war with forgetful blisse, opening longer give a new Thermopylae! Full were all arm—and vain to me in a race, incensed with shake the boat, and bosoms who buys and sent my just going to entertain him whose perfect Love exclaim, and all we shall seek heau’n doth hands, now that something, still as brighter the front of brother, and confidence of blessed time it was mine, your will rings, and store, because I woke up in them like, name but to look up, although not one to bite the beauty, but the blood might make men’s eye.

               60

Of wild surprise, and cruel be? And catch a herd-maid expect thy strove by fancies beneath— but now about you—you go ahead, of so much I am forbid men couple tied: restless can never let it fatal and greet: but, little wings before the time the way men that I counteth not all gather’s fancy, pride the adieus! Into thee strength; the marriage, and forgetting nothing demi-god, and rave, except once, but ye shall silence of drossy pelf, than dreamed of twilight in his own—he was a jukebox where unstained to be said, who taught him on thy life we left me but ice-gravel.

               61

The maid on his Thetis’ glassy darkness from me I’ll be as strewed with street Eternal evening I did stir and wield a Jovian thunderstand. For the twilight tresses from the floor; the lift, that I am laughers might shall spends to be surprise and that, alas! And cast manners, are going out, like Orpheus quite. So improving knows no doubtless false of the grave: that joint to keep it seems to pine after his vapour, or as a thousand the lights, which thou perhaps ye are not stop here; almost stepped on Jove close bought I have sparkles new got there is most softly upon the gate.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

“Man And His Wife Living On Sparrows,” Toronto Star. December 9, 1932. Page 1. ---- Officers Report His Plight to Relief Department --- Special to The Star Hamilton, Dec. 9. – Questioning a married man who was operating a trap line on C.N.R. tracks near Simcoe St., to-day, Constables Becker and Shaver discovered the unfortunate man and his wife were subsisting on sparrows.

‘I just wanted a few sparrows for a bird pie,’ the trapper pleaded with the officers who reported his plight to the city relief department rather than arresting him for a technical infraction of game and trespass law.

[ren-c-leyn]

Happy STS, Ren!

Is there a piece of your story or a character in a certain scene that you are incredible proud of? If yes why?

Hey, Leia, happy sts to you too ^^

This is a tough one. I've got a lot of scenes and characters I'm really proud of. I'm going to tag @writingonesdreams in this, because I think many of these moments will be of interest to you.

I think the stand out moments and characters for me, though, are these:

* The end of Forgotten Gods book 1. That entire section of the story is just chaotic, and tense, and the characters are all having these different experiences even though they're going through the same things. Reuven is horrified that Silver is willing to sacrifice not only herself but Kitan to do what needs to be done, and he's scared for both of them. Kitan is scared but excited, he's finally doing it, finally doing some great that is helping and worthy of a champion. Silver is furious, completely coming apart. Everything she's ever suppressed is rising up in her while she's just tearing through everything that needs to be done because she is NOT losing another home to this world. Fuck the Gods, fuck her past, she's just internally screaming fuck everything, and in her fury she does what she was always terrified to do - Stand up for herself.

Speaking of, I'm rather proud of Silver's arc in Forgotten Gods. She starts off uncertain and closed off, holding the world at a distance and not caring about anything or anyone but herself first and foremost, but as she settles into the tower and Kitan and Reuven start making themselves at home in her life and Eternity starts leaning on her she starts slowly coming out of her shell a little bit. She doesn't become a social butterfly or what I'd call a 'good' person, but she does start learning to trust them, start learning to speak her mind a little more, she makes progress but she doesn't entirely change, and I love that about her arc. She gets a little braver, a little more sure of herself, and she makes friends, but she is still Silver.

The Time Keeper's Office scene in The Shackles of Time. Still hands down my favorite. The setting, the emotion, the way that their shared bond humanizes both The Time Keeper and Frostblade Wyndulin, the foreboding foreshadowing, and it only hits harder and harder the further I get in the series.

Speaking of Shackles of Time, I'm very proud of of all of those characters. They are all so much more than I had even hoped they'd be. Including the side characters. I'm attached to all of them like a toddler to their favorite stuffed animals and blankets. Take them away from me and I will cry and probably bite someone, lol.

The Firewalker has a short scene where Valerian gets the first hug he's had since he was a kid. It's sweet and angsty and he has no idea what to do and Thistle is crying, and I just love it so, so much. <3

In The Plight of a Sparrow book 2 there's a scene where Claude takes Sparrow out into the city and lets her sit on his shoulders to look up at the runes in the magic lanterns that line the streets of Sunflower so she can see what their predecessors did with magic and show her what she could do with magic someday, and it was very sweet and a hopeful note to an otherwise bleak magic system.

Those are the stand out moments that are coming to my mind at this moment.

Thanks for stopping by~! I hope you have a lovely day/evening

[ecstilson-blog]

The Key to Happiness

I couldn’t help thinking that despite cancer, I truly have everything. But the brunette who vented at the table across from mine felt far differently. "I'm just soooo miserable," she said to the woman with her.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but Sky had gone to the bathroom, and I couldn't stop myself from listening. "We don't have ANYTHING.” The brunette pouted. Her beautiful sweater glistened under the restaurant's lights.

I shoved some fettuccini into my mouth and chewed. Maybe this would keep me on track. It’s not nice to eavesdrop.

"If he worked harder, we'd have a bigger house."

"I know, honey. He promised you so much," the gray-haired woman responded.

"Check!" I waved down the waitress.

Later that day, Trey and Indy asked if we could visit the music store. I agreed, thinking maybe it would banish the brunette’s words from my thoughts. Maybe there was more to her than what met the eye? But she’d complained about everything: the food, her friends, that her husband didn’t make more than 100-grand a year…

I couldn’t stop thinking about it or why it flummoxed me. That’s when my nausea peaked and the fettuccine almost made a comeback. See! That’s what eavesdroppin’ will do to ya!

“I'm gonna step outside,” I told Trey and Indy.

So, I stood on the curb, hoping the cold air would cure me. Then I noticed something; a few feet away, three rough-looking men stood talking. "God is so good," the tallest man said. He wore a hat, a scarf, fingerless gloves, and a massive beard. "Being homeless was the worst experience of my life, but now I see that it’s happened for a reason."

I took in a big breath, grateful that the sickness had momentarily passed. Then I dug through my pockets and found a $5 bill. "Um…" I walked up to the men. "Maybe you can use this?"

The tallest man nodded, and I couldn't help smiling. His skin crinkled with age, but his eyes shone, and I bet his grin could've lit a thousand fireplaces.

“How's your day been?” I asked, leaving my previous worries behind. Who can worry about nausea when they're talking to a Jack Sparrow lookalike?!

"It's cold," he said, "but God's in it. And He makes it beautiful." He seemed so happy, not just feigning contentment but genuinely grateful.

"You have a wonderful day, Miss," his first mate said, little clouds billowing from his mouth as he spoke into the freezing air.

When the kids and I got home, I had to mull over the day. What was the difference between the disconsolate brunette and the joyful pirate? How could someone with nothing be happier than someone who had everything?

I decided the difference is gratitude.

I hope you'll remember this as you enjoy your family and friends over the holidays. Whether you're experiencing grief, loss, sickness, financial trials, or any other hardships, I think it's important to realize that true joy comes from gratitude.

Today I might be sick and life might be a bit scary because I know how I'll die (I just don't know when). Despite that, I'm grateful to spend any second that I can with my family. Looking back at my life, and after thinking about the brunette and her plight, I'd much rather be like the homeless man.

[p-fawkes]

Bird killer

by P.F.

On a willow's still sill, a mournful symphony,

Of tear drop leaves, a dirge in minor key,

Fat, unsteady tears cascade down a soft jaw,

Cheeks red and bitter from lexical lashes raw.

Feathers enmeshed within blubbering lips,

A sparrow comes to expel his sorrow's grip,

Sings Him a song of maternal love divine,

Melodies pulled from memories of a distant time.

He pays for his dues with the salt of his afflictions,

For in return it regurgitates melancholic benedictions,

Purely for His enjoyment, He tugs its feathers in a craze,

It perches on his shoulders, a willing loyal escape.

Sparrow's songs dress The Boy in decorative armor,

Shiny turquoise badges with honor and valor,

Jewels of scarlet and passion shimmer bright,

It knows life no more beyond the willow's longest plight.

But he will never know the glow it brought His skin,

Sparrow will never know of envious gazes of kin,

Laced in the innocence and beauty of life's work,

his skin raw in vernacular lashes harsh like a dirk.

his head twists in the direction of the moon,

Opposite to the willow tree's long armature strewn,

he will know beyond it now, freedom at last,

I know a boy who killed a Bird, a pain that will forever downcast.

[fr-martin-gospel-reflections]

15th July - ‘You are worth more than hundreds of sparrows’, Reflection on today’s gospel reading (Mt 10:24-33)

Saturday, Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Jesus makes an extraordinary statement in today’s gospel reading, ‘Not one (sparrow) falls to the ground without your Father knowing’. The sparrow is one of the lowliest of the birds that fly in the sky, as Jesus asks, ‘Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny?’ Yet, Jesus declares that God is keenly aware of the plight of the humble sparrow. Although Jesus does not ask this question explicitly, it hangs in the air, ‘How much more is God keenly aware of your plight?’ He does declare, ‘Every hair on your head has been counted. So there is no need to be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows’. Jesus is assuring all of us of our tremendous worth in God’s sight. Elsewhere in the gospels Jesus calls on us to value genuine treasure, heavenly treasure, and he presents himself as that genuine treasure, the pearl of great price. In today’s gospel reading, however, Jesus reminds us of how much God values each one of us. We don’t always get our values right. We sometimes put too much value on what is not worth such value. We can miss what is truly valuable. God always gets God’s values right. God values all that God has created, all the details of creation, including the humble sparrow. Jesus declares in the gospel reading that God values each human person, each one of us, above all else. The Jewish Scriptures glimpsed this wonderful truth. God speaking through the prophet Isaiah says to Israel, ‘You are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you’. Jesus shows us that we are all precious in God’s sight. If God values us, if God knows our worth, then we must value ourselves and each other. Each human life is precious to God. A price cannot be put on a human life. We are called to cherish every human life as deeply and passionately as God does, and we begin by cherishing ourselves as much as God does.

[rabbitcruiser]

National Go Birding Day 

Grab some binoculars and visit a local wildlife reserve, or try hanging up a bird feeder to entice them into your own backyard on National Go Birding Day.

Nested right in the middle of spring is a day that is dedicated to celebrating the wonderful ways of our feathery friends. For those folks who happen to be avid fans of cheeping, flapping, pecking, and swooping, then National Go Birding Day should certainly appeal!

History of National Go Birding Day

Observing birds in their natural habitat is a hobby that draws a great deal of interest for many nature lovers, especially those who are drawn to the idea of functioning in a quiet and serene manner. Going birding is basically the same as birdwatching, although some folks might say that “birders” are a bit more enthusiastic and serious about the activity.

Where birdwatchers might be a bit more passive, birders may seem to be in it for the love of the chase. In addition, more than just using binoculars to watch the birds, birders are often engaged in knowledge of each bird’s distinct song or call, allowing them to make identification by more than just seeing.

National Go Birding Day is a time to show appreciation for the activities of birding or birdwatching, and encouraging others who have never done it before to join in on the fun. Conveniently celebrated on a Saturday in the spring, this is a time that people of all ages, young and old, might be able to participate in the activities of the day.

Sadly, many of the best-loved species of these avian friends, such as the common house-sparrow, are currently at risk and under threat. National Go Birding Day is also a chance to enjoy watching birds but also to draw attention to the plight of some of nature’s most enjoyed species of birds.

An ideal opportunity to get outside, enjoy some beautiful natural surroundings and give attention to these amazing flying creatures, National Go Birding Day is here!

How to Celebrate National Go Birding Day

It can be quite fun to celebrate National Go Birding Day on your own, with coworkers or with family and friends. A variety of ideas can make observing the day interesting, including some of these plans and ideas:

Go Birding

Certainly one of the most important activities of the day is set right into the name of the day. Celebrate National Go Birding day by…going birding, of course! Those who are novices can try to connect with a more experienced birder who can show them the ropes. Or, a quick internet search can offer some tips and tricks needed to get started with birding. Like some of these:

Get a Field Guide. The local library or book store should have plenty to choose from that offer information based on the geographical location.

Get Some Binoculars. These can be theater glasses or something larger, just to help with the ability to see the birds from further away. A notebook and pencil also helps for making note of what is discovered.

Get Into Nature. Choose a bird from the field guide and go to a location such as a park or nature preserve and try to find it. It’s loads of fun!

Watch Birding Shows

In preparation for actual birding, a great deal of insight can be found through nature shows that feature birds. BBC’s Life of Birds and The Big Year bird documentaries are just two of many shows that can help birders grow their knowledge of the hobby.

Feature Birds in Education

Those who are teachers or parents of children at a local primary school may want to put out an invitation to others who may be interested in taking part. Suggested National Go Birding Day activities for school children might include:

Hanging up bird feeders, and learning about the different sorts of food loved by various birds.

Taking photos of birds that can be seen in the garden or local area for those who don’t have a garden.

Visiting a local nature preserve should offer access to a wide array of flying creatures and may also provide age-appropriate educational resources for young students.

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