Thursday, October 14, 2010

Finding Redemption in Reasoned Constancy


Shakespeare, "King Lear" (Act III Sc I):

SCENE I. A heath. (Storm still. Enter KENT and a Gentleman, meeting)

KENT - Who's there, besides foul weather?

Gentleman - One minded like the weather, most unquietly.

KENT - I know you. Where's the king?

Gentleman - Contending with the fretful element:
Bids the winds blow the earth into the sea,
Or swell the curled water 'bove the main,
That things might change or cease; tears his white hair,
Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage,
Catch in their fury, and make nothing of;
Strives in his little world of man to out-scorn
The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain.
This night, wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch,
The lion and the belly-pinched wolf
Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs,
And bids what will take all.

KENT - But who is with him?

Gentleman - None but the fool; who labours to out-jest
His heart-struck injuries.

4 comments:

  1. I'm glad you're finding reason.
    I'm wanting to overcome some of my cynicism.
    Or...all of it. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's hard to stay centered and on course...
    to overcome the forces of "drift".

    Thanks for the words of encouragement. :)

    ReplyDelete