January 29, 2008

• and so the foray into early british literatur i go, somewhat reluctantly.  i say reluctantly not because i am not eager to actually learn this stuff and finally understand all of it, but because i am a servant of two masters, and i don't have the time to delve into it as much as i want to.  and if i had the time, which i try to have, my brain is always baling out information like water in a boat with a hole.  i can't keep it all in.

  nevertheless.

  this week was reading beowulf, and i have to say, this passage is now earmarked for me, indelibly:

  "Stricken in spirit, Hrothgar would often closet his council to ponder what plan might be deemed best by strong-minded men.  Sometimes the the elders swore before altars of old war-idols, offering prayers for the soul-slayer to succor their people.  Such was their habit, the hope of heathens:  with hell in their hears, they were lost to the Lord.  They never would know the Almighty's mind or worship the world's one true protector.  Sorry are those who sear their souls, afflicted by flames they freely embraced.  No cheer for the chastened!  No change for the better!  But happy is he who trusts in heaven and lives to his last in the Lord's keeping."

  *  *  *  *

  something about it...

   

  • 12:28 am
  • 1 Comment