Venus and Cupid
Vermeer girl with the pearl earring
virgin of the rocks
Woman with a Parasol
Luke was maneuvering the landspeeder through the town's outskirts whenseveral tall, gleaming forms appeared from nowhere and began to close a circlearound him. For one panicked moment he considered gunning the engine and racingthrough the pedestrians and other vehicles. A startlingly firm grip on his arm bothrestrained and relaxed him. He glanced over to see Kenobi smiling, warning him. So they continued at a normal town cruising speed, Luke hoping that the imperialtroops were bent on business elsewhere. No such luck. One of the troopers raisedan armored hand. Luke had no choice but to respond. As he pulled the speederover, he grew aware of the attention they were receiving from curious passersby.Worse yet, it seemed that the trooper's attention was in fact reserved not for Kenobi orhimself, but for the two unmoving robots seated in the speeder behind them. "How long have you had these 'droids?" the trooper who had raised his handbarked. Polite formalities were to be dispensed with, it appeared. Looking blank for a second, Luke finally came up with "Three or four seasons, Iguess." "They're up for sale, if you want them—and the price is right," Kenobi put in,giving a wonderful impression of a dessert finagler out to cajole a few quick creditsfrom ignorant Imperials. The trooper in charge did not deign to reply. He was absorbed in a thoroughexamination of the landspeeder's underside. "Did you come in from the south?" he asked. "No…no," Luke answered quickly, "we live in the west, near Bestine township." "Bestine?" the trooper murmured, walking around to study the speeder's front.Luke forced himself to stare straight ahead. Finally the armored figure concludedhis examination. He moved to stand ominously close to Luke and
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Sacrifice of Abraham painting
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
Leaving the speeder parked near the edge of the sandstone bluff, Luke and Benwalked over and peered down at the tiny regularized bumps erupting from the sun-baked plain below. The haphazard collage of low-grade concrete, stone, and plastoidstructures spread outward from a central power-and-water-distribution plant like thespokes of a wheel. Actually the town was considerably larger than it appeared, since a good portionof it lay underground. Looking like bomb craters from this distance, the smoothcircular depressions of launch stations pockmarked the cityscape. A brisk gale was scouring the tired ground. It whipped the sand about Luke'sfeet and legs as he adjusted his protective goggles. "There it is," Kenobi murmured, indicating the unimpressive collection ofbuildings, "Mos Eisley Spaceport—the ideal place for us to lose ourselves while weseek passage offplanet. Not a more wretched collection of villainy and disreputabletypes exists anywhere on Tatooine. The Empire has been alerted to us, so we mustbe very cautious, Luke. The population of Mos Eisley should disguise us well." Luke wore a determined look. "I'm ready for anything, Obi-wan." I wonder if you comprehend what that might entail, Luke, Kenobi thought. Buthe only nodded as he led the way back to the landspeeder. Unlike Anchorhead, there were enough people in Mos Eisley to requiremovement in the heat of day. Built from the beginning with commerce in mind,even the oldest of the town's buildings had been designed to provide protection fromthe twin suns. They looked primitive from the outside, and many were. Butoftentimes walls and arches of old stone masked durasteel double walls withcirculating coolant flowing freely between.
The Three Ages of Woman
The Virgin and Child with St Anne
The Water lily Pond
Leaving the speeder parked near the edge of the sandstone bluff, Luke and Benwalked over and peered down at the tiny regularized bumps erupting from the sun-baked plain below. The haphazard collage of low-grade concrete, stone, and plastoidstructures spread outward from a central power-and-water-distribution plant like thespokes of a wheel. Actually the town was considerably larger than it appeared, since a good portionof it lay underground. Looking like bomb craters from this distance, the smoothcircular depressions of launch stations pockmarked the cityscape. A brisk gale was scouring the tired ground. It whipped the sand about Luke'sfeet and legs as he adjusted his protective goggles. "There it is," Kenobi murmured, indicating the unimpressive collection ofbuildings, "Mos Eisley Spaceport—the ideal place for us to lose ourselves while weseek passage offplanet. Not a more wretched collection of villainy and disreputabletypes exists anywhere on Tatooine. The Empire has been alerted to us, so we mustbe very cautious, Luke. The population of Mos Eisley should disguise us well." Luke wore a determined look. "I'm ready for anything, Obi-wan." I wonder if you comprehend what that might entail, Luke, Kenobi thought. Buthe only nodded as he led the way back to the landspeeder. Unlike Anchorhead, there were enough people in Mos Eisley to requiremovement in the heat of day. Built from the beginning with commerce in mind,even the oldest of the town's buildings had been designed to provide protection fromthe twin suns. They looked primitive from the outside, and many were. Butoftentimes walls and arches of old stone masked durasteel double walls withcirculating coolant flowing freely between.
the Night Watch
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
Gesturing for the two robots to follow, Ben started toward the waiting craft.The canopy flipped open and up to reveal Luke sitting motionless in the pilot's seat.He didn't look up at Kenobi's inquiring glance. That in itself was enough to tell theold man what had happened. "I share your sorrow, Luke," he finally ventured softly. "There was nothing youcould have done. Had you been there, you'd be dead now, too, and the 'droidswould be in the hands of the Imperials. Not even the force—" "Damn your force!" Luke snarled with sudden violence. Now he turned andglared at Kenobi. There was a set to his jaw that belonged on a much older face. "I'll take you to the spaceport at Mos Eisley, Ben. I want to go with you—toAlderaan. There's nothing left for me here now." His eyes turned to look outacross the desert, to focus on something beyond sand and rock and canyon walls. "Iwant to learn to be like a Jedi, like my father. I want…" He paused, the wordsbacking up like a logjam in his throat. Kenobi slid into the cockpit, put a hand gently on the youth's shoulder, then wentforward to make room for the two robots. "I'll do my best to see that you get whatyou want, Luke. For now, let's go to Mos Eisley." Luke nodded and closed the canopy. The landspeeder moved away to thesoutheast, leaving behind the still-smoldering sandcrawler, the jawa funeral pyre, andthe only life Luke had ever known.
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
Gesturing for the two robots to follow, Ben started toward the waiting craft.The canopy flipped open and up to reveal Luke sitting motionless in the pilot's seat.He didn't look up at Kenobi's inquiring glance. That in itself was enough to tell theold man what had happened. "I share your sorrow, Luke," he finally ventured softly. "There was nothing youcould have done. Had you been there, you'd be dead now, too, and the 'droidswould be in the hands of the Imperials. Not even the force—" "Damn your force!" Luke snarled with sudden violence. Now he turned andglared at Kenobi. There was a set to his jaw that belonged on a much older face. "I'll take you to the spaceport at Mos Eisley, Ben. I want to go with you—toAlderaan. There's nothing left for me here now." His eyes turned to look outacross the desert, to focus on something beyond sand and rock and canyon walls. "Iwant to learn to be like a Jedi, like my father. I want…" He paused, the wordsbacking up like a logjam in his throat. Kenobi slid into the cockpit, put a hand gently on the youth's shoulder, then wentforward to make room for the two robots. "I'll do my best to see that you get whatyou want, Luke. For now, let's go to Mos Eisley." Luke nodded and closed the canopy. The landspeeder moved away to thesoutheast, leaving behind the still-smoldering sandcrawler, the jawa funeral pyre, andthe only life Luke had ever known.
The Jewel Casket
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
I've always found the methods you recommend rather quaint, Vader." "They are efficient," the Dark Lord argued softly. "In the interest ofaccelerating the procedure, however, I am open to your suggestions." Tarkin looked thoughtful. "Such stubbornness can often be detoured byapplying threats to something other than the one involved." "What do you mean?" "Only that I think is time we demonstrated the full power of this station. Wemay do so in a fashion doubly useful." He instructed the attentive Motti, "Tell yourprogrammers to set course for the Alderaan system." Kenobi's pride did not prevent him from wrapping an old scarf over nose andmouth to filter out a portion of the bonfire's drifting putrid odor. Though possessedof olfactory sensory apparatus, Artoo Detoo and Threepio had no need of such ascreen. Even Threepio, who was equipped to discriminate among aromaticaesthetics, could be artificially selective when he so desired. Working together, the two 'droids helped Kenobi throw the last of the bodiesonto the blazing pyre, then stood back and watched the dead continue to burn. Notthat the desert scavengers wouldn't have been equally efficient in picking the burned-out sandcrawler clean of flesh, but Kenobi retained values most modern men wouldhave deemed archaic. He would consign no one to the bone-gnawers and gravel-maggots, not even a filthy jawa. At a rising thrumming Kenobi turned from the residue of the noisome business tosee the landspeeder approaching, now traveling at a sensible pace, far different fromwhen it had left. It slowed and hovered nearby, but showed no signs of life.
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
I've always found the methods you recommend rather quaint, Vader." "They are efficient," the Dark Lord argued softly. "In the interest ofaccelerating the procedure, however, I am open to your suggestions." Tarkin looked thoughtful. "Such stubbornness can often be detoured byapplying threats to something other than the one involved." "What do you mean?" "Only that I think is time we demonstrated the full power of this station. Wemay do so in a fashion doubly useful." He instructed the attentive Motti, "Tell yourprogrammers to set course for the Alderaan system." Kenobi's pride did not prevent him from wrapping an old scarf over nose andmouth to filter out a portion of the bonfire's drifting putrid odor. Though possessedof olfactory sensory apparatus, Artoo Detoo and Threepio had no need of such ascreen. Even Threepio, who was equipped to discriminate among aromaticaesthetics, could be artificially selective when he so desired. Working together, the two 'droids helped Kenobi throw the last of the bodiesonto the blazing pyre, then stood back and watched the dead continue to burn. Notthat the desert scavengers wouldn't have been equally efficient in picking the burned-out sandcrawler clean of flesh, but Kenobi retained values most modern men wouldhave deemed archaic. He would consign no one to the bone-gnawers and gravel-maggots, not even a filthy jawa. At a rising thrumming Kenobi turned from the residue of the noisome business tosee the landspeeder approaching, now traveling at a sensible pace, far different fromwhen it had left. It slowed and hovered nearby, but showed no signs of life.
Sweet Nothings
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
The Broken Pitcher
I've always found the methods you recommend rather quaint, Vader." "They are efficient," the Dark Lord argued softly. "In the interest ofaccelerating the procedure, however, I am open to your suggestions." Tarkin looked thoughtful. "Such stubbornness can often be detoured byapplying threats to something other than the one involved." "What do you mean?" "Only that I think is time we demonstrated the full power of this station. Wemay do so in a fashion doubly useful." He instructed the attentive Motti, "Tell yourprogrammers to set course for the Alderaan system." Kenobi's pride did not prevent him from wrapping an old scarf over nose andmouth to filter out a portion of the bonfire's drifting putrid odor. Though possessedof olfactory sensory apparatus, Artoo Detoo and Threepio had no need of such ascreen. Even Threepio, who was equipped to discriminate among aromaticaesthetics, could be artificially selective when he so desired. Working together, the two 'droids helped Kenobi throw the last of the bodiesonto the blazing pyre, then stood back and watched the dead continue to burn. Notthat the desert scavengers wouldn't have been equally efficient in picking the burned-out sandcrawler clean of flesh, but Kenobi retained values most modern men wouldhave deemed archaic. He would consign no one to the bone-gnawers and gravel-maggots, not even a filthy jawa. At a rising thrumming Kenobi turned from the residue of the noisome business tosee the landspeeder approaching, now traveling at a sensible pace, far different fromwhen it had left. It slowed and hovered nearby, but showed no signs of life.
The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
The Broken Pitcher
I've always found the methods you recommend rather quaint, Vader." "They are efficient," the Dark Lord argued softly. "In the interest ofaccelerating the procedure, however, I am open to your suggestions." Tarkin looked thoughtful. "Such stubbornness can often be detoured byapplying threats to something other than the one involved." "What do you mean?" "Only that I think is time we demonstrated the full power of this station. Wemay do so in a fashion doubly useful." He instructed the attentive Motti, "Tell yourprogrammers to set course for the Alderaan system." Kenobi's pride did not prevent him from wrapping an old scarf over nose andmouth to filter out a portion of the bonfire's drifting putrid odor. Though possessedof olfactory sensory apparatus, Artoo Detoo and Threepio had no need of such ascreen. Even Threepio, who was equipped to discriminate among aromaticaesthetics, could be artificially selective when he so desired. Working together, the two 'droids helped Kenobi throw the last of the bodiesonto the blazing pyre, then stood back and watched the dead continue to burn. Notthat the desert scavengers wouldn't have been equally efficient in picking the burned-out sandcrawler clean of flesh, but Kenobi retained values most modern men wouldhave deemed archaic. He would consign no one to the bone-gnawers and gravel-maggots, not even a filthy jawa. At a rising thrumming Kenobi turned from the residue of the noisome business tosee the landspeeder approaching, now traveling at a sensible pace, far different fromwhen it had left. It slowed and hovered nearby, but showed no signs of life.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Red Hat Girl
Red Hat Girl
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
precious time
Not that Luke appeared to care. "Refugees!" Then I did see a space battle!"He rambled on rapidly, excited. "Tell me where you've been—in how manyencounters. How is the rebellion going? Does the Empire take it seriously? Haveyou seen many ships destroyed?" "A bit slower, please, sir," Threepio pleaded. "You misinterpret our status.We were innocent bystanders. Our involvement with the rebellion was of the mostmarginal nature. "As to battles, we were in several, I think. It is difficult to tell when one is notdirectly in contact with the actual battle machinery." He shrugged neatly. "Beyondthat, there is not much to say. Remember, sir, I am little more than a cosmeticizedinterpreter and not very good at telling stories or relating histories, and even lessproficient at embellishing them. I am a very literal machine." Luke turned away, disappointed, and returned to his cleaning of Artoo Detoo.Additional scraping turned up something puzzling enough to demand his full attention.A small metal fragment was tightly lodged between two bar conduits that wouldnormally form a linkage. Setting down the delicate pick, Luke switched to a largerinstrument. "Well, my little friend," he murmured, "you've got something jammed in herereal good." As he pushed and pried Luke directed half his attention to Threepio."Were you on a star freighter or was it—" metal gave way with a powerful crack, and the recoil sent Luke tumbling headover heels. Getting to his feet, he started to curse—then froze, motionless. The front of the Artoo unit had begun to glow, exuding a three-dimensionalimage less than one-third of a meter square but precisely defined. The portraitformed within the box was so exquisite that in a couple of minutes Luke discoveredhe was out of breath—because he had forgotten to breath.
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
precious time
Not that Luke appeared to care. "Refugees!" Then I did see a space battle!"He rambled on rapidly, excited. "Tell me where you've been—in how manyencounters. How is the rebellion going? Does the Empire take it seriously? Haveyou seen many ships destroyed?" "A bit slower, please, sir," Threepio pleaded. "You misinterpret our status.We were innocent bystanders. Our involvement with the rebellion was of the mostmarginal nature. "As to battles, we were in several, I think. It is difficult to tell when one is notdirectly in contact with the actual battle machinery." He shrugged neatly. "Beyondthat, there is not much to say. Remember, sir, I am little more than a cosmeticizedinterpreter and not very good at telling stories or relating histories, and even lessproficient at embellishing them. I am a very literal machine." Luke turned away, disappointed, and returned to his cleaning of Artoo Detoo.Additional scraping turned up something puzzling enough to demand his full attention.A small metal fragment was tightly lodged between two bar conduits that wouldnormally form a linkage. Setting down the delicate pick, Luke switched to a largerinstrument. "Well, my little friend," he murmured, "you've got something jammed in herereal good." As he pushed and pried Luke directed half his attention to Threepio."Were you on a star freighter or was it—" metal gave way with a powerful crack, and the recoil sent Luke tumbling headover heels. Getting to his feet, he started to curse—then froze, motionless. The front of the Artoo unit had begun to glow, exuding a three-dimensionalimage less than one-third of a meter square but precisely defined. The portraitformed within the box was so exquisite that in a couple of minutes Luke discoveredhe was out of breath—because he had forgotten to breath.
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
Rembrandt Biblical Scene
"Pleased to meet you, Threepio," Luke said easily. "You too, Artoo."Walking across the garage, he checked a gauge on the smaller machine's front panel,plugging the charge cord he saw something, which made him frown and lean close. "Something wrong, Luke?" Threepio inquired. Luke went to a nearby tool wall and selected a small many-armed device. "Idon't know yet, Threepio." Returning to the recharger, Luke bent over Artoo and began scraping at severalbumps in the small 'droid's top with a chromed pick. Occasionally he jerked backsharply as bits of corrosion were flicked into the air by the tiny tool. Threepio watched, interested, as Luke worked. "There's a lot of strange carbonscoring here of a seen a lot of action out of the ordinary." "Indeed, sir," Threepio admitted, forgetting to drop the honorific. This timeLuke was too absorbed elsewhere to correct him. "Sometimes I'm amazed we're inas good shape as we are." He added as an afterthought, while still shying away fromthe thrust of Luke's question, "What with the rebellion and all." Despite his caution, it seemed to Threepio that he must have given somethingaway, for an almost jawa-like blaze appeared in Luke's eyes. "You know about therebellion against the Empire?" he demanded. "In a way," Threepio confessed reluctantly. "The rebellion was responsible forour coming into your service. We are refugees, you se." He did not add fromwhere.
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
Rembrandt Biblical Scene
"Pleased to meet you, Threepio," Luke said easily. "You too, Artoo."Walking across the garage, he checked a gauge on the smaller machine's front panel,plugging the charge cord he saw something, which made him frown and lean close. "Something wrong, Luke?" Threepio inquired. Luke went to a nearby tool wall and selected a small many-armed device. "Idon't know yet, Threepio." Returning to the recharger, Luke bent over Artoo and began scraping at severalbumps in the small 'droid's top with a chromed pick. Occasionally he jerked backsharply as bits of corrosion were flicked into the air by the tiny tool. Threepio watched, interested, as Luke worked. "There's a lot of strange carbonscoring here of a seen a lot of action out of the ordinary." "Indeed, sir," Threepio admitted, forgetting to drop the honorific. This timeLuke was too absorbed elsewhere to correct him. "Sometimes I'm amazed we're inas good shape as we are." He added as an afterthought, while still shying away fromthe thrust of Luke's question, "What with the rebellion and all." Despite his caution, it seemed to Threepio that he must have given somethingaway, for an almost jawa-like blaze appeared in Luke's eyes. "You know about therebellion against the Empire?" he demanded. "In a way," Threepio confessed reluctantly. "The rebellion was responsible forour coming into your service. We are refugees, you se." He did not add fromwhere.
Spring Breeze
Spring Breeze
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
seated nude
"I beg your pardon, sir." Luke spun, startled, but it was only the tall 'droid, Threepio. The contrast in therobot was striking compared with Luke's initial sight of him. Bronze-colored alloygleamed in the overhead lights of the garage, cleaned of pits and dust by the powerfuloils. "Is there anything I might do to help?" the robot asked solicitously. Luke studied the machine, and as he did so some of his anger drained away.There was no point in yelling cryptically at a robot. "I doubt it," he replied, "unless you can alter time and speed up the harvest. Orelse teleport me off this sandpile under Uncle Owen's nose." Sarcasm was difficult for even an extremely sophisticated robot to detect, soThreepio considered the question objectively before finally replying, "I don't think so,sir. I'm only a third-degree 'droid and not very knowledgeable about such things astransatomic physics." Suddenly, the events of the past couple of days seemed tocatch up with him all at once. "As a matter of fact, young sir," Threepio went onwhile looking around him with fresh vision, "I'm not even sure which planet I'm on." Luke chuckled sardonically and assumed a mocking pose. "If there's brightcenter to this universe, you're on the world farthest from it." "Yes, Luke sir." The youth shook his head irritably. "Never mind the 'sir'—it's just Luke.And this world is called Tatooine." Threepio nodded slightly. "Thank you, Luke s—Luke. I am See Threepio,human-droid relations specialist." He jerked a casual metal thumb back toward therecharge unit. "That is my companion, Artoo Detoo."
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
seated nude
"I beg your pardon, sir." Luke spun, startled, but it was only the tall 'droid, Threepio. The contrast in therobot was striking compared with Luke's initial sight of him. Bronze-colored alloygleamed in the overhead lights of the garage, cleaned of pits and dust by the powerfuloils. "Is there anything I might do to help?" the robot asked solicitously. Luke studied the machine, and as he did so some of his anger drained away.There was no point in yelling cryptically at a robot. "I doubt it," he replied, "unless you can alter time and speed up the harvest. Orelse teleport me off this sandpile under Uncle Owen's nose." Sarcasm was difficult for even an extremely sophisticated robot to detect, soThreepio considered the question objectively before finally replying, "I don't think so,sir. I'm only a third-degree 'droid and not very knowledgeable about such things astransatomic physics." Suddenly, the events of the past couple of days seemed tocatch up with him all at once. "As a matter of fact, young sir," Threepio went onwhile looking around him with fresh vision, "I'm not even sure which planet I'm on." Luke chuckled sardonically and assumed a mocking pose. "If there's brightcenter to this universe, you're on the world farthest from it." "Yes, Luke sir." The youth shook his head irritably. "Never mind the 'sir'—it's just Luke.And this world is called Tatooine." Threepio nodded slightly. "Thank you, Luke s—Luke. I am See Threepio,human-droid relations specialist." He jerked a casual metal thumb back toward therecharge unit. "That is my companion, Artoo Detoo."
madonna with the yarnwinder painting
madonna with the yarnwinder painting
klimt painting the kiss
leonardo da vinci self portrait
Madonna Litta
That was like telling Luke to ignore a cache of Durindfires he might stumbleover in the desert. "Who is she?" he demanded, staring enraptured at the hologram."She's beautiful." "I really don't know who she is," Threepio confessed honestly. "I think shemight have been a passenger on our last voyage. From what I recall, she was apersonage of some importance. This might have something to do with the fact thatour Captain was attaché to—" Luke cut him off, savoring the way sensuous lips formed and reformed thesentence fragment. "Is there any more to this recording? It sounds like it'sincomplete." Getting to his feet, Luke reached out for the Artoo unit. The robot moved backward and produced whistles of such frantic concern thatLuke hesitated and held off reaching for the internal controls. Threepio was shocked. "Behave yourself, Artoo," he finally chastised hiscompanion. "You're going to get us into trouble." He had vision of the both ofthem being packed up as uncooperative and shipped back to the jawas, which wasenough to make him imitate a shudder. "It's all right—he's our master now." Threepio indicated Luke. "You cantrust him." I feel that he has our best interests in mind." Detoo appeared to hesitate, uncertain. Then he whistled and beeped a longcomplexity at his friend. "Well?" Luke prompted impatiently.
klimt painting the kiss
leonardo da vinci self portrait
Madonna Litta
That was like telling Luke to ignore a cache of Durindfires he might stumbleover in the desert. "Who is she?" he demanded, staring enraptured at the hologram."She's beautiful." "I really don't know who she is," Threepio confessed honestly. "I think shemight have been a passenger on our last voyage. From what I recall, she was apersonage of some importance. This might have something to do with the fact thatour Captain was attaché to—" Luke cut him off, savoring the way sensuous lips formed and reformed thesentence fragment. "Is there any more to this recording? It sounds like it'sincomplete." Getting to his feet, Luke reached out for the Artoo unit. The robot moved backward and produced whistles of such frantic concern thatLuke hesitated and held off reaching for the internal controls. Threepio was shocked. "Behave yourself, Artoo," he finally chastised hiscompanion. "You're going to get us into trouble." He had vision of the both ofthem being packed up as uncooperative and shipped back to the jawas, which wasenough to make him imitate a shudder. "It's all right—he's our master now." Threepio indicated Luke. "You cantrust him." I feel that he has our best interests in mind." Detoo appeared to hesitate, uncertain. Then he whistled and beeped a longcomplexity at his friend. "Well?" Luke prompted impatiently.
Nighthawks Hopper
Nighthawks Hopper
Mother and Child
My Sweet Rose painting
Naiade oil painting
Despite a superficial sharpness, the image flickered and jiggled unsteadily, as ifthe recording had been made and installed with haste. Luke stared at the foreigncolors being projected into the prosaic atmosphere of the garage and started to form aquestion. But it was never finished. The lips on the figure moved, and the girlspoke—or rather, seemed to speak. Luke knew the aural accompaniment wasgenerated somewhere within Artoo Detoo's squat torso. "Obi-wan Kenobi," the voice implored huskily, "help me! You're my onlyremaining hope." A burst of static dissolved the face momentarily. Then itcoalesced again, and once more the voice repeated, "Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my onlyremaining hope." With a raspy hum the hologram continued. Luke sat perfectly still for a longmoment, considering what he was seeing, then he blinked and directed his words tothe Artoo unit. "What's this all about, Artoo Detoo?" the stubby 'droid shifted slightly, the cubish portrait shifting with him, andbeeped what sounded vaguely like a sheepish reply. Threepio appeared as mystified as Luke. "What is that?" he inquired sharply,gesturing at the speaking portrait and then at Luke. "You were asked a question.What and who is that, and how are you originating it—and why?" The Artoo unit generated a beep of surprise, for all the world as if just noticingthe hologram. This was followed by a whistling stream of information. Threepio digested the data, tried to frown, couldn't, and strove to convey his ownconfusion via the tone of his voice. "He insist it's nothing, sir. Merely amalfunction—old data. A tape that should have been erased but was missed. Heinsists we pay it no mind."
Mother and Child
My Sweet Rose painting
Naiade oil painting
Despite a superficial sharpness, the image flickered and jiggled unsteadily, as ifthe recording had been made and installed with haste. Luke stared at the foreigncolors being projected into the prosaic atmosphere of the garage and started to form aquestion. But it was never finished. The lips on the figure moved, and the girlspoke—or rather, seemed to speak. Luke knew the aural accompaniment wasgenerated somewhere within Artoo Detoo's squat torso. "Obi-wan Kenobi," the voice implored huskily, "help me! You're my onlyremaining hope." A burst of static dissolved the face momentarily. Then itcoalesced again, and once more the voice repeated, "Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my onlyremaining hope." With a raspy hum the hologram continued. Luke sat perfectly still for a longmoment, considering what he was seeing, then he blinked and directed his words tothe Artoo unit. "What's this all about, Artoo Detoo?" the stubby 'droid shifted slightly, the cubish portrait shifting with him, andbeeped what sounded vaguely like a sheepish reply. Threepio appeared as mystified as Luke. "What is that?" he inquired sharply,gesturing at the speaking portrait and then at Luke. "You were asked a question.What and who is that, and how are you originating it—and why?" The Artoo unit generated a beep of surprise, for all the world as if just noticingthe hologram. This was followed by a whistling stream of information. Threepio digested the data, tried to frown, couldn't, and strove to convey his ownconfusion via the tone of his voice. "He insist it's nothing, sir. Merely amalfunction—old data. A tape that should have been erased but was missed. Heinsists we pay it no mind."
Monday, October 29, 2007
leonardo da vinci self portrait
leonardo da vinci self portrait
Madonna Litta
madonna with the yarnwinder painting
Mother and Child
It was an old settler's saying that you could burn your eyes out faster by staringstraight and hard at the sun-scorched flatlands of Tatooine than by looking directly atits two huge suns themselves, so powerful was the penetrating glare reflected fromthose endless wastes. Despite the flare, life could and did exist in the flatlandsformed by long-evaporated seabeds. One thing made it possible: the reintroductionof water. For human purposes, however, the water of Tatooine was only marginallyaccessible. The atmosphere yielded its moisture with reluctance. It had to becoaxed down out of the hard blue sky—coaxed, forced, yanked down to the parchedsurface. Two figures whose concern was obtaining that moisture were standing on aslight rise of one of those inhospitable flats. One of the pair was stiff and metallic—a sand-pitted vaporator sunk securely through sand and into deeper rock. The figurenext to it was a food deal more animated, though no less sun-weathered.
Luke Skywalker was twice the age of the ten-year-old vaporator, but much lesssecure. At the moment he was swearing softly at a recalcitrant valve adjuster on thetemperamental device. From time to time he resorted to some unsubtle pounding inplace of using the appropriate tool. Neither method worked very well. Luke wassure that the lubricants used on the vaporator went out of their way to attract sand
Madonna Litta
madonna with the yarnwinder painting
Mother and Child
It was an old settler's saying that you could burn your eyes out faster by staringstraight and hard at the sun-scorched flatlands of Tatooine than by looking directly atits two huge suns themselves, so powerful was the penetrating glare reflected fromthose endless wastes. Despite the flare, life could and did exist in the flatlandsformed by long-evaporated seabeds. One thing made it possible: the reintroductionof water. For human purposes, however, the water of Tatooine was only marginallyaccessible. The atmosphere yielded its moisture with reluctance. It had to becoaxed down out of the hard blue sky—coaxed, forced, yanked down to the parchedsurface. Two figures whose concern was obtaining that moisture were standing on aslight rise of one of those inhospitable flats. One of the pair was stiff and metallic—a sand-pitted vaporator sunk securely through sand and into deeper rock. The figurenext to it was a food deal more animated, though no less sun-weathered.
Luke Skywalker was twice the age of the ten-year-old vaporator, but much lesssecure. At the moment he was swearing softly at a recalcitrant valve adjuster on thetemperamental device. From time to time he resorted to some unsubtle pounding inplace of using the appropriate tool. Neither method worked very well. Luke wassure that the lubricants used on the vaporator went out of their way to attract sand
Head of Christ
Head of Christ
Hylas and the Nymphs
jesus christ on the cross
klimt painting the kiss
The trooper who had been unlucky enough to find her fell first, his head a massof melted bone and metal. The same fate met the second armored from coming upfast behind him. Then a bright green energy pole touched the woman's side and sheslumped instantly to the deck, the pistol still locked in her small palm. Metal-encased shapes clustered around her. One whose arm bore the insigniaof a lower officer knelt and turned her over. He studied the paralyzed form with apracticed eye. "She'll be all right," he finally declared, looking up his subordinates. "Reportto Lord Vader." Threepio stared, mesmerized, out the small view-port set in the front of the tinyescape pod as the hot yellow eye of Tatooine began to swallow them up.Somewhere behind them, he knew, the crippled fighter and the Imperial cruiser werereceding to imperceptibility. That was fine with him. If they landed near a civilized city, he would seekelegant employment in a halcyon atmosphere, something more befitting his status andtraining. These past months had gifted him with entirely too much excitement andunpredictability for a mere machine.
Hylas and the Nymphs
jesus christ on the cross
klimt painting the kiss
The trooper who had been unlucky enough to find her fell first, his head a massof melted bone and metal. The same fate met the second armored from coming upfast behind him. Then a bright green energy pole touched the woman's side and sheslumped instantly to the deck, the pistol still locked in her small palm. Metal-encased shapes clustered around her. One whose arm bore the insigniaof a lower officer knelt and turned her over. He studied the paralyzed form with apracticed eye. "She'll be all right," he finally declared, looking up his subordinates. "Reportto Lord Vader." Threepio stared, mesmerized, out the small view-port set in the front of the tinyescape pod as the hot yellow eye of Tatooine began to swallow them up.Somewhere behind them, he knew, the crippled fighter and the Imperial cruiser werereceding to imperceptibility. That was fine with him. If they landed near a civilized city, he would seekelegant employment in a halcyon atmosphere, something more befitting his status andtraining. These past months had gifted him with entirely too much excitement andunpredictability for a mere machine.
flaming june painting
flaming june painting
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
girl with a pearl earring vermeer
Gustav Klimt Kiss painting
Glare from exploding panels and erupting circuitry reflected crazily off thearmor of the lead storm trooper as he surveyed the passageway ahead. He was aboutto turn and call for those behind to follow him forward when he noticed somethingmoving off to one side. It appeared to be crouching back in a small, dark alcove.Holding his pistol ready, he moved cautiously forward and peered into the recess. A small, shivering figure clad in flowing white hugged the back of the recess andstared up at the man. Now he could see that he faced a young woman, and herphysical description fit that of the one individual the Dark Lord was most interested in.The trooper grinned behind his helmet. A lucky encounter for him. He would becommended. Within the armor his head turned slightly, directing his voice to the tinycondenser microphone. "Here she is," he called to those behind him. "Set for stunforc—" He never finished the sentence, just as he would never receive the hoped-forcommendation. Once his attention turned from the girl to his communicator hershivering vanished with starling speed. The energy pistol he had held out of sightbehind her came up and around as she burst from her hiding place.
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
girl with a pearl earring vermeer
Gustav Klimt Kiss painting
Glare from exploding panels and erupting circuitry reflected crazily off thearmor of the lead storm trooper as he surveyed the passageway ahead. He was aboutto turn and call for those behind to follow him forward when he noticed somethingmoving off to one side. It appeared to be crouching back in a small, dark alcove.Holding his pistol ready, he moved cautiously forward and peered into the recess. A small, shivering figure clad in flowing white hugged the back of the recess andstared up at the man. Now he could see that he faced a young woman, and herphysical description fit that of the one individual the Dark Lord was most interested in.The trooper grinned behind his helmet. A lucky encounter for him. He would becommended. Within the armor his head turned slightly, directing his voice to the tinycondenser microphone. "Here she is," he called to those behind him. "Set for stunforc—" He never finished the sentence, just as he would never receive the hoped-forcommendation. Once his attention turned from the girl to his communicator hershivering vanished with starling speed. The energy pistol he had held out of sightbehind her came up and around as she burst from her hiding place.
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
Dance Me to the End of Love
Evening Mood painting
female nude reclining
When word came over the communicators that the last pocket of resistance onthe rebel ship had been cleaned out, the Captain of the Imperial cruiser relaxedconsiderably. He was listening with pleasure to proceedings on captured vesselwhen one of his chief gunnery officers called to him. Moving to the man's position,the Captain stared into the circular viewscreen and saw a tiny dot dropping awaytoward the fiery world below. "There goes another pod, sir. Instructions?" The officer's hand hovered overa computerized energy battery. Casually, confident in the firepower and total control under his command, theCaptain studied the nearby readouts monitoring the pod. All of them read blank. "Hold your fire, Lieutenant Hija. Instruments show no life forms aboard. Thepod's release mechanism must have short-circuited or received a false instruction.Don't waste you power." He turned away, to listen with satisfaction to the reports ofcaptured men and material coming from the rebel ship.
Dance Me to the End of Love
Evening Mood painting
female nude reclining
When word came over the communicators that the last pocket of resistance onthe rebel ship had been cleaned out, the Captain of the Imperial cruiser relaxedconsiderably. He was listening with pleasure to proceedings on captured vesselwhen one of his chief gunnery officers called to him. Moving to the man's position,the Captain stared into the circular viewscreen and saw a tiny dot dropping awaytoward the fiery world below. "There goes another pod, sir. Instructions?" The officer's hand hovered overa computerized energy battery. Casually, confident in the firepower and total control under his command, theCaptain studied the nearby readouts monitoring the pod. All of them read blank. "Hold your fire, Lieutenant Hija. Instruments show no life forms aboard. Thepod's release mechanism must have short-circuited or received a false instruction.Don't waste you power." He turned away, to listen with satisfaction to the reports ofcaptured men and material coming from the rebel ship.
American Day Dream
American Day Dream
Biblis painting
Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Threepio listened. He couldn't frown, but he managed to give a goodimpression of doing so. "Mission…what mission? What are you talking about?You sound like you haven't got an integrated logic terminal left in your brain.No…no more adventures. I'll take my chances with the Imperials—and I'm notgetting in there." An angry electronic twang came from the Artoo unit."Don't call me a mindless philosopher," Threepio snapped back, "you overweight,unstreamlined glob of grease!" Threepio was concocting an additional rejoinder when an explosion blew out theback wall of the corridor. Dust and metal debris whooshed through the narrow sub-passageway, followed instantly by a series of secondary explosions. Flames beganjumping hungrily from the exposed interior wall; reflection off Threepio's isolatedpatches of polished skin. Muttering the electronic equivalent of consigning his soul to the unknown, thelanky robot jumped into the audibly as Artoo activated the safety door behind him.The smaller robot flipped a series of switches, snapped back a cover, and pressedthree buttons in a certain sequence. With the thunder of explosive latches the lifepod ejected from the crippled fighter.
Biblis painting
Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Threepio listened. He couldn't frown, but he managed to give a goodimpression of doing so. "Mission…what mission? What are you talking about?You sound like you haven't got an integrated logic terminal left in your brain.No…no more adventures. I'll take my chances with the Imperials—and I'm notgetting in there." An angry electronic twang came from the Artoo unit."Don't call me a mindless philosopher," Threepio snapped back, "you overweight,unstreamlined glob of grease!" Threepio was concocting an additional rejoinder when an explosion blew out theback wall of the corridor. Dust and metal debris whooshed through the narrow sub-passageway, followed instantly by a series of secondary explosions. Flames beganjumping hungrily from the exposed interior wall; reflection off Threepio's isolatedpatches of polished skin. Muttering the electronic equivalent of consigning his soul to the unknown, thelanky robot jumped into the audibly as Artoo activated the safety door behind him.The smaller robot flipped a series of switches, snapped back a cover, and pressedthree buttons in a certain sequence. With the thunder of explosive latches the lifepod ejected from the crippled fighter.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Hylas and the Nymphs
Hylas and the Nymphs
jesus christ on the cross
klimt painting the kiss
leonardo da vinci self portrait
After a few Days farther Conference with this ancient Friend, he brought me an Account of the six first Years Income of my Plantation, sign'd by my Partner and the Merchants Trustees, being always deliver'd in Goods, viz. Tobacco in Roll, and Sugar in Chests, besides Rum, Molossus, & c. which is the Consequence of a Sugar Work; and I found by this Account, that every Year the Income considerably encreased; but as above, the Disbursement being large, the Sum at first was small: However, the old Man let me see, that he was Debtor to me 470 Moidores of Gold, besides 60 Chests of Sugar, and 15 double Rolls of Tobacco which were lost in his Ship; he having been Ship-wreck'd coming Home to Lisbon about 11 Years after my leaving the Place.
The good Man then began to complain of his Misfortunes, and how he had been obliged to make Use of my Money to recover his Losses, and buy him a Share in a new Ship: However, my old Friend, says he, you shall not want a Supply in your Necessity; and as soon as my Son returns, you shall be fully satisfy'd.
Upon this, he pulls out an old Pouch, and gives me 160 Portugal Moidores in Gold; and giving me the Writing of his Title to the Ship, which his Son was gone to the Brasils in, of which he was a Quarter Part Owner, and his Son another, he puts them both into my Hands for Security of the rest.
I was too much mov'd with the Honesty and Kindness of the poor Man, to be able to bear this; and remembering what he had done for me, how he had taken me up at Sea, and how generously he had used me on all Occasions, and particularly, how sincere a Friend he was now to me, I could hardly refrain Weeping at what he said to me: Therefore, first I asked him, if his Circumstances admitted him to spare so much Money at that time, and if it would not straiten him? He told me, he could not say but it might straiten him a little; but however it was my Money, and I might want it more than he.
jesus christ on the cross
klimt painting the kiss
leonardo da vinci self portrait
After a few Days farther Conference with this ancient Friend, he brought me an Account of the six first Years Income of my Plantation, sign'd by my Partner and the Merchants Trustees, being always deliver'd in Goods, viz. Tobacco in Roll, and Sugar in Chests, besides Rum, Molossus, & c. which is the Consequence of a Sugar Work; and I found by this Account, that every Year the Income considerably encreased; but as above, the Disbursement being large, the Sum at first was small: However, the old Man let me see, that he was Debtor to me 470 Moidores of Gold, besides 60 Chests of Sugar, and 15 double Rolls of Tobacco which were lost in his Ship; he having been Ship-wreck'd coming Home to Lisbon about 11 Years after my leaving the Place.
The good Man then began to complain of his Misfortunes, and how he had been obliged to make Use of my Money to recover his Losses, and buy him a Share in a new Ship: However, my old Friend, says he, you shall not want a Supply in your Necessity; and as soon as my Son returns, you shall be fully satisfy'd.
Upon this, he pulls out an old Pouch, and gives me 160 Portugal Moidores in Gold; and giving me the Writing of his Title to the Ship, which his Son was gone to the Brasils in, of which he was a Quarter Part Owner, and his Son another, he puts them both into my Hands for Security of the rest.
I was too much mov'd with the Honesty and Kindness of the poor Man, to be able to bear this; and remembering what he had done for me, how he had taken me up at Sea, and how generously he had used me on all Occasions, and particularly, how sincere a Friend he was now to me, I could hardly refrain Weeping at what he said to me: Therefore, first I asked him, if his Circumstances admitted him to spare so much Money at that time, and if it would not straiten him? He told me, he could not say but it might straiten him a little; but however it was my Money, and I might want it more than he.
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
girl with a pearl earring vermeer
Gustav Klimt Kiss painting
Head of Christ
shew'd my self a little concern'd, and uneasy at this Account, and enquir'd of the old Captain, How it came to pass, that the Trustees should thus dispose my Effects, when he knew that I had made my Will, and had made him, the Portuguese Captain, my universal Heir, & c.
He told me, that was true; but that as there was no Proof of my being dead, he could not act as Executor, until some certain Account should come of my Death, and that besides, he was not willing to intermeddle with a thing so remote; that it was true he had registred my Will, and put in his Claim; and could he have given any Account of my being dead or alive, he would have acted by Procuration, and taken Possession of the Ingenio, so they call'd the Sugar-House, and had' given his Son, who was now at the Brasils, Order to do it.
But, says the old Man, I have one Piece of News to tell you, which perhaps may not be so acceptable to you as the rest, and that is, That believing you were lost, and all the World believing so also, your Partner and Trustees did offer to accompt to me in your Name, for six or eight of the first Years of Profits, which I receiv'd; but there being at that time, says he, great Disbursements for encreasing the Works, building an Ingenio, and buying Slaves, it did not amount to near so much as afterwards it produced: However, says she old Man, I shall give you a true Account of what I have received in all, and how I have disposed of it.
girl with a pearl earring vermeer
Gustav Klimt Kiss painting
Head of Christ
shew'd my self a little concern'd, and uneasy at this Account, and enquir'd of the old Captain, How it came to pass, that the Trustees should thus dispose my Effects, when he knew that I had made my Will, and had made him, the Portuguese Captain, my universal Heir, & c.
He told me, that was true; but that as there was no Proof of my being dead, he could not act as Executor, until some certain Account should come of my Death, and that besides, he was not willing to intermeddle with a thing so remote; that it was true he had registred my Will, and put in his Claim; and could he have given any Account of my being dead or alive, he would have acted by Procuration, and taken Possession of the Ingenio, so they call'd the Sugar-House, and had' given his Son, who was now at the Brasils, Order to do it.
But, says the old Man, I have one Piece of News to tell you, which perhaps may not be so acceptable to you as the rest, and that is, That believing you were lost, and all the World believing so also, your Partner and Trustees did offer to accompt to me in your Name, for six or eight of the first Years of Profits, which I receiv'd; but there being at that time, says he, great Disbursements for encreasing the Works, building an Ingenio, and buying Slaves, it did not amount to near so much as afterwards it produced: However, says she old Man, I shall give you a true Account of what I have received in all, and how I have disposed of it.
Dance Me to the End of Love
Dance Me to the End of Love
Evening Mood painting
female nude reclining
flaming june painting
After some passionate Expressions of the old Acquaintance, I enquir'd, you may be sure, after my Plantation and my Partner: The old Man told me he had not been in the Brasils for about nine Years; but that he could assure me, that when he came away, my Partner was living, but the Trustees, who I had join'd with him to take Cognizance of my Part, were both dead; that however, he believ'd that I would have a very good Account of the Improvement of the Plantation; for that upon the general Belief of my being cast away, and drown'd, my Trustees had given in the Account of the Produce of my Part of the Plantation, to the Procurator Fiscal, who had appropriated it, in Case I never came to claim it; one Third to the King, and two Thirds to the Monastery of St. Augustine, to be expended for the Benefit of the Poor, and for the Conversion of the Indians to the Catholick Faith; but that if I appear'd, or any one for me, to claim the Inheritance, it should be restor'd; only that the Improvement, or Annual Production, being distributed to charitable Uses, could not be restor'd; but he assur'd me, that the Steward of the King's Revenue (from Lands) and the Proviedore, or Steward of the Monastery, had taken great Care all along, that the Incumbent, that is to say my Partner, gave every Year a faithful Account of the Produce, of which they receiv'd duly my Moiety.
I ask'd him if he knew to what height of Improvement he had brought the Plantation? And, Whether he thought it might be worth looking after? Or, Whether on my going thither, I should meet with no Obstruction to my Possessing my just Right in the Moiety?
He told me, he could not tell exactly, to what Degree the Plantation was improv'd; but this he knew, that my Partner was grown exceeding Rich upon the enjoying but one half of it; and that to the best of his Remembrance, he had heard, that the King's Third of my Part, which was it seems granted away to some other Monastery, or Religious House, amounted to above two hundred Moidores a Year; that as to my being restor'd to a quiet Possession of it, there was no question to be made of that, my Partner being alive to witness my Title, and my Name being also enrolled in the Register of the Country; also he told me, That the Survivors of my two Trustees, were very fair honest People, and very Wealthy; and he believ'd I would not only have their Assistance for putting me in Possession, but would find a very considerable Sum of Money in their Hands, for my Account; being the Produce of the Farm while their Fathers held the Trust, and before it was given up as above, which as he remember'd, was for about twelve Years.
Evening Mood painting
female nude reclining
flaming june painting
After some passionate Expressions of the old Acquaintance, I enquir'd, you may be sure, after my Plantation and my Partner: The old Man told me he had not been in the Brasils for about nine Years; but that he could assure me, that when he came away, my Partner was living, but the Trustees, who I had join'd with him to take Cognizance of my Part, were both dead; that however, he believ'd that I would have a very good Account of the Improvement of the Plantation; for that upon the general Belief of my being cast away, and drown'd, my Trustees had given in the Account of the Produce of my Part of the Plantation, to the Procurator Fiscal, who had appropriated it, in Case I never came to claim it; one Third to the King, and two Thirds to the Monastery of St. Augustine, to be expended for the Benefit of the Poor, and for the Conversion of the Indians to the Catholick Faith; but that if I appear'd, or any one for me, to claim the Inheritance, it should be restor'd; only that the Improvement, or Annual Production, being distributed to charitable Uses, could not be restor'd; but he assur'd me, that the Steward of the King's Revenue (from Lands) and the Proviedore, or Steward of the Monastery, had taken great Care all along, that the Incumbent, that is to say my Partner, gave every Year a faithful Account of the Produce, of which they receiv'd duly my Moiety.
I ask'd him if he knew to what height of Improvement he had brought the Plantation? And, Whether he thought it might be worth looking after? Or, Whether on my going thither, I should meet with no Obstruction to my Possessing my just Right in the Moiety?
He told me, he could not tell exactly, to what Degree the Plantation was improv'd; but this he knew, that my Partner was grown exceeding Rich upon the enjoying but one half of it; and that to the best of his Remembrance, he had heard, that the King's Third of my Part, which was it seems granted away to some other Monastery, or Religious House, amounted to above two hundred Moidores a Year; that as to my being restor'd to a quiet Possession of it, there was no question to be made of that, my Partner being alive to witness my Title, and my Name being also enrolled in the Register of the Country; also he told me, That the Survivors of my two Trustees, were very fair honest People, and very Wealthy; and he believ'd I would not only have their Assistance for putting me in Possession, but would find a very considerable Sum of Money in their Hands, for my Account; being the Produce of the Farm while their Fathers held the Trust, and before it was given up as above, which as he remember'd, was for about twelve Years.
Biblis painting
Biblis painting
Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
I went down afterwards into Yorkshire; but my Father was dead, and my Mother, and all the Family extinct, except that I found two Sisters, and two of the Children of one of my Brothers; and as I had been long ago given over for dead, there had been no Provision made for me; so that in a Word, I found nothing to relieve, or assist me; and that little Money I had, would not do much for me, as to settling in the World.
I met with one Piece of Gratitude indeed, which I did not expect; and this was, That the Master of the Ship, who I had so happily deliver'd, and by the same Means sav'd the Ship and Cargo, having given a very handsome Account to the Owners, of the Manner how I had sav'd the Lives of the Men, and the Ship, they invited me to meet them, and some other Merchants concern'd, and altogether made me a very handsome Compliment upon the Subject, and a Present of almost two hundred Pounds Sterling.
But after making several Reflections upon the Circumstances of my Life, and how little way this would go towards settling me in the World, I resolv'd to go to Lisbon, and see if I might not come by some Information of the State of my Plantation in the Brasils, and of what was become of my Partner, who I had reason to suppose had some Years now given me Over for dead.
With this View I took Shipping for Lisbon, where I arriv'd in April following; my Man Friday accompanying me very honestly in all these Ramblings, and proving a most faithful Servant upon all Occasions.
When I came to Lisbon, I found out by Enquiry, and to my particular Satisfaction, my old Friend the Captain of the Ship, who first took me up at Sea, off of the Shore of Africk: He was now grown old, and had left off the Sea, having put his Son, who was far from a young Man, into his Ship; and who still used the Brasil Trade. The old Man did not know me, and indeed, I hardly knew him; but I soon brought him to my Remembrance, and as soon brought my self to his Remembrance, when I told him who I was.
Boulevard des Capucines
Charity painting
Christ In The Storm On The Sea Of Galilee
I went down afterwards into Yorkshire; but my Father was dead, and my Mother, and all the Family extinct, except that I found two Sisters, and two of the Children of one of my Brothers; and as I had been long ago given over for dead, there had been no Provision made for me; so that in a Word, I found nothing to relieve, or assist me; and that little Money I had, would not do much for me, as to settling in the World.
I met with one Piece of Gratitude indeed, which I did not expect; and this was, That the Master of the Ship, who I had so happily deliver'd, and by the same Means sav'd the Ship and Cargo, having given a very handsome Account to the Owners, of the Manner how I had sav'd the Lives of the Men, and the Ship, they invited me to meet them, and some other Merchants concern'd, and altogether made me a very handsome Compliment upon the Subject, and a Present of almost two hundred Pounds Sterling.
But after making several Reflections upon the Circumstances of my Life, and how little way this would go towards settling me in the World, I resolv'd to go to Lisbon, and see if I might not come by some Information of the State of my Plantation in the Brasils, and of what was become of my Partner, who I had reason to suppose had some Years now given me Over for dead.
With this View I took Shipping for Lisbon, where I arriv'd in April following; my Man Friday accompanying me very honestly in all these Ramblings, and proving a most faithful Servant upon all Occasions.
When I came to Lisbon, I found out by Enquiry, and to my particular Satisfaction, my old Friend the Captain of the Ship, who first took me up at Sea, off of the Shore of Africk: He was now grown old, and had left off the Sea, having put his Son, who was far from a young Man, into his Ship; and who still used the Brasil Trade. The old Man did not know me, and indeed, I hardly knew him; but I soon brought him to my Remembrance, and as soon brought my self to his Remembrance, when I told him who I was.
American Day Dream
American Day Dream
A Greek Beauty
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Upon this the Captain pretended to have no Power without me; But after some Difficulty, and after their solemn Promises off Amendment, they were taken on Board, and were some time after soundly whipp'd and pickl'd; after which, they prov'd very honest and quiet Fellows.
Some time after this, the Boat was order'd on Shore, the Tide being up, with the things promised to the Men, to which the Captain at my Intercession caused their Chests and Cloaths to be added, which they took, and were very thankful for; I also encourag'd them, by telling them, that if it lay in my Way to send any Vessel to take them in, I would not forget them.
When I took leave of this Island, I carry'd on board for Reliques, the great Goat's-Skin-Cap I had made, my Umbrella, and my Parrot; also I forgot not to take the Money I formerly mention'd, which had lain by me so long useless, that it was grown rusty, or tarnish'd, and could hardly pass for Silver, till it had been a little rubb'd, and handled; as also the Money I found in the Wreck of the Spanish Ship.
And thus I left the Island, the Nineteenth of December, as I found by the Ship's Account, in the Year 1686, after I had been upon it eight and twenty Years, two Months, and 19 Days; being deliver'd from this second Captivity, the same Day of the Month, that I first made my Escape in the Barco-Longo, from among the Moors of Sallee.
In this Vessel, after a long Voyage, I arriv'd in England, the Eleventh of June, in the Year 1687, having been thirty and five Years absent.
When I came to England, I was as perfect a Stranger to all the World, as if I had never been known there. My Benefactor and faithful Steward, who I had left in Trust with my Money, was alive; but had had great Misfortunes in the World; was become a Widow the second Time, and very low in the World: I made her easy as to what she ow'd me, assuring her, I would give her no Trouble; but on the contrary, in Gratitude to her former Care and Faithfulness to me, I reliev'd her as my little Stock would afford, which at that Time would indeed allow me to do but little for her; abut I assur'd her, I would never forget her former Kindness to me; nor did I forget her, when I had sufficient to help her, as shall be observ'd in its Place.
A Greek Beauty
A Lily Pond
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Upon this the Captain pretended to have no Power without me; But after some Difficulty, and after their solemn Promises off Amendment, they were taken on Board, and were some time after soundly whipp'd and pickl'd; after which, they prov'd very honest and quiet Fellows.
Some time after this, the Boat was order'd on Shore, the Tide being up, with the things promised to the Men, to which the Captain at my Intercession caused their Chests and Cloaths to be added, which they took, and were very thankful for; I also encourag'd them, by telling them, that if it lay in my Way to send any Vessel to take them in, I would not forget them.
When I took leave of this Island, I carry'd on board for Reliques, the great Goat's-Skin-Cap I had made, my Umbrella, and my Parrot; also I forgot not to take the Money I formerly mention'd, which had lain by me so long useless, that it was grown rusty, or tarnish'd, and could hardly pass for Silver, till it had been a little rubb'd, and handled; as also the Money I found in the Wreck of the Spanish Ship.
And thus I left the Island, the Nineteenth of December, as I found by the Ship's Account, in the Year 1686, after I had been upon it eight and twenty Years, two Months, and 19 Days; being deliver'd from this second Captivity, the same Day of the Month, that I first made my Escape in the Barco-Longo, from among the Moors of Sallee.
In this Vessel, after a long Voyage, I arriv'd in England, the Eleventh of June, in the Year 1687, having been thirty and five Years absent.
When I came to England, I was as perfect a Stranger to all the World, as if I had never been known there. My Benefactor and faithful Steward, who I had left in Trust with my Money, was alive; but had had great Misfortunes in the World; was become a Widow the second Time, and very low in the World: I made her easy as to what she ow'd me, assuring her, I would give her no Trouble; but on the contrary, in Gratitude to her former Care and Faithfulness to me, I reliev'd her as my little Stock would afford, which at that Time would indeed allow me to do but little for her; abut I assur'd her, I would never forget her former Kindness to me; nor did I forget her, when I had sufficient to help her, as shall be observ'd in its Place.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Nighthawks Hopper
Nighthawks Hopper
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
precious time
Upon this, I told him the first Thing we had to do, was to stave the Boat, which lay upon the Beach, so that they might not carry her off; and taking every Thing out of her, leave her so far useless as not to be fit to swim; accordingly we went on board, took the Arms which were left on board, out of her, and whatever else we found there, which was a Bottle of Brandy, and another of Rum, a few Bisket Cakes, a Horn of Powder, and a great Lump of Sugar, in a Piece of Canvas; the Sugar was five or six Pounds; all which was very welcome to me, especially the Brandy, and Sugar, of which I had had none left for many Years.
When we had carry'd all these Things on Shore (the Oars, Mast, Sail, and Rudder of the Boat, were carry'd away before, as above) we knock'd a great Hole in her Bottom, that if they had come strong enough to master us, yet they could not carry off the Boat.
Indeed, it was not much in my Thoughts, that we could be able to recover the Ship; but my View was that if they went away without the Boat, I did not much question to make her fit again, to carry us away to the Leeward Islands, and call upon our Friends, the Spaniards, in my Way, for I had them still in my Thoughts.
While we were thus preparing our Designs, and had first, by main Strength heav'd the Boat up upon the Beach, so high that the Tide would not fleet her off at High-Water-Mark; and besides, had broke a Hole in her Bottom, too big to be quickly stopp'd, and were sat down musing what we should do; we heard the Ship fire a Gun, and saw her make a Waft with her Antient, as a Signal for the Boat to come on board; but no Boat stirr'd; and they fir'd several Times, making other Signals for the Boat.
Nude on the Beach
One Moment in Time
precious time
Upon this, I told him the first Thing we had to do, was to stave the Boat, which lay upon the Beach, so that they might not carry her off; and taking every Thing out of her, leave her so far useless as not to be fit to swim; accordingly we went on board, took the Arms which were left on board, out of her, and whatever else we found there, which was a Bottle of Brandy, and another of Rum, a few Bisket Cakes, a Horn of Powder, and a great Lump of Sugar, in a Piece of Canvas; the Sugar was five or six Pounds; all which was very welcome to me, especially the Brandy, and Sugar, of which I had had none left for many Years.
When we had carry'd all these Things on Shore (the Oars, Mast, Sail, and Rudder of the Boat, were carry'd away before, as above) we knock'd a great Hole in her Bottom, that if they had come strong enough to master us, yet they could not carry off the Boat.
Indeed, it was not much in my Thoughts, that we could be able to recover the Ship; but my View was that if they went away without the Boat, I did not much question to make her fit again, to carry us away to the Leeward Islands, and call upon our Friends, the Spaniards, in my Way, for I had them still in my Thoughts.
While we were thus preparing our Designs, and had first, by main Strength heav'd the Boat up upon the Beach, so high that the Tide would not fleet her off at High-Water-Mark; and besides, had broke a Hole in her Bottom, too big to be quickly stopp'd, and were sat down musing what we should do; we heard the Ship fire a Gun, and saw her make a Waft with her Antient, as a Signal for the Boat to come on board; but no Boat stirr'd; and they fir'd several Times, making other Signals for the Boat.
The Broken Pitcher
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
They had not been long put off with the Boat, but we perceiv'd them all coming on Shore again; but with this new Measure in their Conduct, which it seems they consulted together upon, viz. To leave three Men in the Boat, and the rest to go on Shore, and go up into the Country to look for their Fellows.
This was a great Disappointment to us; for now we were at a Loss what to do; for our Seizing those Seven Men on Shore would be no Advantage to us, if we let the Boat escape; because they would then row away to the Ship, and then the rest of them would be sure to weigh and set Sail, and so our recovering the Ship would be lost.
However, we had no Remedy, but to wait and see what the Issue of Things might present; the seven Men came on Shore, and the three who remain'd in the Boat, put her off to a good Distance from the Shore, and came to an Anchor to wait for them; so that it was impossible for us to come at them in the Boat.
Those that came on Shore, kept close together, marching towards the Top of the little Hill, under which my Habitation lay; and we could see them plainly, though they could not perceive us: We could have been very glad they would have come nearer to us, so that we might have fir'd at them, or that they would have gone farther off, that we might have come abroad.
But when they were come to the Brow of the Hill, where they could see a great way into the Valleys and Woods, which lay towards the North-East Part, and where the Island lay lowest, they shouted, and hollow'd, till they were weary; and not caring it seems to venture far from the Shore, nor far from one another, they sat down together under a Tree, to consider of it: Had they thought fit to have gone to sleep there, as the other Party of them had done, they had done the Jobb for us; but they were too full of Apprehensions of Danger, to venture to go to sleep, though they could not tell what the Danger was they had to fear neither.
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
They had not been long put off with the Boat, but we perceiv'd them all coming on Shore again; but with this new Measure in their Conduct, which it seems they consulted together upon, viz. To leave three Men in the Boat, and the rest to go on Shore, and go up into the Country to look for their Fellows.
This was a great Disappointment to us; for now we were at a Loss what to do; for our Seizing those Seven Men on Shore would be no Advantage to us, if we let the Boat escape; because they would then row away to the Ship, and then the rest of them would be sure to weigh and set Sail, and so our recovering the Ship would be lost.
However, we had no Remedy, but to wait and see what the Issue of Things might present; the seven Men came on Shore, and the three who remain'd in the Boat, put her off to a good Distance from the Shore, and came to an Anchor to wait for them; so that it was impossible for us to come at them in the Boat.
Those that came on Shore, kept close together, marching towards the Top of the little Hill, under which my Habitation lay; and we could see them plainly, though they could not perceive us: We could have been very glad they would have come nearer to us, so that we might have fir'd at them, or that they would have gone farther off, that we might have come abroad.
But when they were come to the Brow of the Hill, where they could see a great way into the Valleys and Woods, which lay towards the North-East Part, and where the Island lay lowest, they shouted, and hollow'd, till they were weary; and not caring it seems to venture far from the Shore, nor far from one another, they sat down together under a Tree, to consider of it: Had they thought fit to have gone to sleep there, as the other Party of them had done, they had done the Jobb for us; but they were too full of Apprehensions of Danger, to venture to go to sleep, though they could not tell what the Danger was they had to fear neither.
Spring Breeze
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
As soon as they got to the Place where their other Boat lay, they run their Boat in to the Beach, and came all on Shore, haling the Boat up after them, which I was glad to see; for I was afraid they would rather have left the Boat at an Anchor, some Distance from the Shore, with some Hands in her, to guard her; and so we should not be able to seize the Boat.
Being on Shore, the first Thing they did, they ran all to their other Boat, and it was easy to see that they were under a great Surprize, to find her stripp'd as above, of all that was in her, and a great hole in her Bottom.
After they had mus'd a while upon this, they set up two or three great Shouts, hollowing with all their might, to try if they could make their Companions hear; but all was to no purpose: Then they came all close in a Ring, and fir'd a Volley of their small Arms, which indeed we heard, and the Ecchos made the Woods ring; but it was all One, those in the Cave we were sure could not hear, and those in our keeping, though they heard it well enough, yet durst give no Answer to them.
They were so astonish'd at the Surprize of this, that as they told us afterwards, they resolv'd to go all on board again to their Ship, and let them know, that the Men were all murther'd, and the Long-Boat stav'd; accordingly they immediately launch'd their Boat again, and gat all of them on board.
The Captain was terribly amaz'd, and even confounded at this, believing they would go on board the Ship again, and set Sail, giving their Comrades for lost, and so he should still lose the Ship, which he was in Hopes we should have recover'd; but he was quickly as much frighted the other way.
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
As soon as they got to the Place where their other Boat lay, they run their Boat in to the Beach, and came all on Shore, haling the Boat up after them, which I was glad to see; for I was afraid they would rather have left the Boat at an Anchor, some Distance from the Shore, with some Hands in her, to guard her; and so we should not be able to seize the Boat.
Being on Shore, the first Thing they did, they ran all to their other Boat, and it was easy to see that they were under a great Surprize, to find her stripp'd as above, of all that was in her, and a great hole in her Bottom.
After they had mus'd a while upon this, they set up two or three great Shouts, hollowing with all their might, to try if they could make their Companions hear; but all was to no purpose: Then they came all close in a Ring, and fir'd a Volley of their small Arms, which indeed we heard, and the Ecchos made the Woods ring; but it was all One, those in the Cave we were sure could not hear, and those in our keeping, though they heard it well enough, yet durst give no Answer to them.
They were so astonish'd at the Surprize of this, that as they told us afterwards, they resolv'd to go all on board again to their Ship, and let them know, that the Men were all murther'd, and the Long-Boat stav'd; accordingly they immediately launch'd their Boat again, and gat all of them on board.
The Captain was terribly amaz'd, and even confounded at this, believing they would go on board the Ship again, and set Sail, giving their Comrades for lost, and so he should still lose the Ship, which he was in Hopes we should have recover'd; but he was quickly as much frighted the other way.
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Rembrandt The Jewish Bride
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
seated nude
he; why, said I, 'Tis, that as you say, there are three or four honest Fellows among them, which should be spar'd; had they been all of the wicked Part of the Crew, I should have thought God's Providence had singled them out to deliver them into your Hands; for depend upon it, every Man of them that comes a-shore are our own, and shall die, or live, as they behave to us.
As I spoke this with a rais'd Voice and chearful Countenance, I found it greatly encourag'd him; so we set vigorously to our Business: We had upon the first Appearance of the Boat's coming from the Ship, consider'd of separating our Prisoners, and had indeed secur'd them effectually.
Two of them, of whom the Captain was less assur'd than ordinary, I sent with Friday, and one of the three (deliver'd Men) to my Cave, where they were remote enough, and out of Danger of being heard or discover'd, or of finding their way out of the Woods, if they could have deliver'd themselves: Here they left them bound, but gave them Provisions, They promis'd them if they continu'd there quietly, to give them their Liberty in a Day or two; but that if they attempted their Escape, they should be put to Death without Mercy: They promis'd faithfully to bear their Confinement with Patience, and were very thankful that they had such good Usage, as to have Provisions, and a Light left them; for Friday gave them Candles (such as we made our selves) for their Comfort; and they did not know but that he stood Sentinel over them at the Entrance.
The other Prisoners had better Usage; two of them were kept pinion'd indeed, because the Captain was not free to trust them; but the other two were taken into my Service upon their Captain's Recommendation, and upon their solemnly engaging to live and die with us; so with them and the three honest Men, we were seven Men, well arm'd; and I made no doubt we shou'd be able to deal well enough with the Ten that were a coming, considering that the Captain had said, there were three or four honest Men among them also.
Return of the Prodigal Son
Samson And Delilah
seated nude
he; why, said I, 'Tis, that as you say, there are three or four honest Fellows among them, which should be spar'd; had they been all of the wicked Part of the Crew, I should have thought God's Providence had singled them out to deliver them into your Hands; for depend upon it, every Man of them that comes a-shore are our own, and shall die, or live, as they behave to us.
As I spoke this with a rais'd Voice and chearful Countenance, I found it greatly encourag'd him; so we set vigorously to our Business: We had upon the first Appearance of the Boat's coming from the Ship, consider'd of separating our Prisoners, and had indeed secur'd them effectually.
Two of them, of whom the Captain was less assur'd than ordinary, I sent with Friday, and one of the three (deliver'd Men) to my Cave, where they were remote enough, and out of Danger of being heard or discover'd, or of finding their way out of the Woods, if they could have deliver'd themselves: Here they left them bound, but gave them Provisions, They promis'd them if they continu'd there quietly, to give them their Liberty in a Day or two; but that if they attempted their Escape, they should be put to Death without Mercy: They promis'd faithfully to bear their Confinement with Patience, and were very thankful that they had such good Usage, as to have Provisions, and a Light left them; for Friday gave them Candles (such as we made our selves) for their Comfort; and they did not know but that he stood Sentinel over them at the Entrance.
The other Prisoners had better Usage; two of them were kept pinion'd indeed, because the Captain was not free to trust them; but the other two were taken into my Service upon their Captain's Recommendation, and upon their solemnly engaging to live and die with us; so with them and the three honest Men, we were seven Men, well arm'd; and I made no doubt we shou'd be able to deal well enough with the Ten that were a coming, considering that the Captain had said, there were three or four honest Men among them also.
Red Hat Girl
Red Hat Girl
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
Rembrandt Biblical Scene
At last, when all their Signals and Firings prov'd fruitless, and they found the Boat did not stir, we saw them by the Help of my Glasses, hoist another Boat out, and row towards the Shore; and we found as they approach'd, that there was no less than ten Men in her, and that they had Fire-Arms with them.
As the Ship lay almost two Leagues from the Shore, we had a full View of them as they came, and a plain Sight of the Men even of their Faces, because the Tide having set them a little to the East of the other Boat, they row'd up under Shore, to come to the same Place, where the other had landed, and where the Boat lay.
By this Means, I say, we had a full View of them, and the Captain knew the Persons and Characters of all the Men in the Boat, of whom he said, that there were three very honest Fellows, who he was sure were led into this Conspiracy by the rest, being over-power'd and frighted.
But that as for the Boatswain, who it seems was the chief Officer among them, and all the rest, they were as outragious as any of the Ship's Crew, and were no doubt made desperate in their new Enterprize, and terribly apprehensive he was, that they would be too powerful for us.
I smil'd at him, and told him, that Men in our Circumstances were past the Operation of Fear: That seeing almost every Condition that could be, was better than that which we were suppos'd to be in, we ought to expect that the Consequence, whether Death or Life, would be sure to be a Deliverance: I ask'd him, What he thought of the Circumstances of my Life? And, Whether a Deliverance were not worth venturing for? And where, Sir, said I, is your Belief of my being preserv'd here on purpose to save your Life, which elevated you a little while ago? For my Part, said I, there seems to be but one Thing amiss in all the Prospect of it; What's that? Says
Red Nude painting
Regatta At Argenteuil
Rembrandt Biblical Scene
At last, when all their Signals and Firings prov'd fruitless, and they found the Boat did not stir, we saw them by the Help of my Glasses, hoist another Boat out, and row towards the Shore; and we found as they approach'd, that there was no less than ten Men in her, and that they had Fire-Arms with them.
As the Ship lay almost two Leagues from the Shore, we had a full View of them as they came, and a plain Sight of the Men even of their Faces, because the Tide having set them a little to the East of the other Boat, they row'd up under Shore, to come to the same Place, where the other had landed, and where the Boat lay.
By this Means, I say, we had a full View of them, and the Captain knew the Persons and Characters of all the Men in the Boat, of whom he said, that there were three very honest Fellows, who he was sure were led into this Conspiracy by the rest, being over-power'd and frighted.
But that as for the Boatswain, who it seems was the chief Officer among them, and all the rest, they were as outragious as any of the Ship's Crew, and were no doubt made desperate in their new Enterprize, and terribly apprehensive he was, that they would be too powerful for us.
I smil'd at him, and told him, that Men in our Circumstances were past the Operation of Fear: That seeing almost every Condition that could be, was better than that which we were suppos'd to be in, we ought to expect that the Consequence, whether Death or Life, would be sure to be a Deliverance: I ask'd him, What he thought of the Circumstances of my Life? And, Whether a Deliverance were not worth venturing for? And where, Sir, said I, is your Belief of my being preserv'd here on purpose to save your Life, which elevated you a little while ago? For my Part, said I, there seems to be but one Thing amiss in all the Prospect of it; What's that? Says
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Lady of Shalott
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
In the middle of these Cogitations, Apprehensions and Reflections, it came into my Thought one Day, that all this might be a meer Chimera of my own; and that this Foot might be the Print of my own Foot, when I came on Shore from my Boat: This chear'd me up a little too, and I began to perswade my self it was all a Delusion; that it was nothing else but my own Foot, and why might not I come that way from the Boat, as well as I was going that way to the Boat; again, I consider'd also that I could by no Means tell for certain where I had trod, and where I had not; and that if at last this was only the Print of my own Foot, I had play'd the Part of those Fools, who strive to make stories of Spectres, and Apparitions; and then are frighted at them more than any body.
Now I began to take Courage, and to peep abroad again; for I had not stirr'd out of my Castle for three Days and Nights; so that I began to starve for Provision; for I had little or nothing within Doors, but some Barley Cakes and water. Then I knew that my Goats wanted to be milk'd too, which usually was my Evening Diversion; and the poor Creatures were in great Pain and Inconvenience for want of it; and indeed, it almost spoil'd some of them, and almost dry'd up their Milk.
Heartning my self therefore with the Belief that this was nothing but the Print of one of my own Feet, and so I might be truly said to start at my own Shadow, I began to go abroad again, and went to my Country House, to milk my Flock; but to see with what Fear I went forward, how often I look'd behind me, how I was ready every now and then to lay down my Basket, and run for my Life, it would have made any one have thought I was haunted with an evil Conscience, or that I had been lately most terribly frighted, and so indeed I had.
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
In the middle of these Cogitations, Apprehensions and Reflections, it came into my Thought one Day, that all this might be a meer Chimera of my own; and that this Foot might be the Print of my own Foot, when I came on Shore from my Boat: This chear'd me up a little too, and I began to perswade my self it was all a Delusion; that it was nothing else but my own Foot, and why might not I come that way from the Boat, as well as I was going that way to the Boat; again, I consider'd also that I could by no Means tell for certain where I had trod, and where I had not; and that if at last this was only the Print of my own Foot, I had play'd the Part of those Fools, who strive to make stories of Spectres, and Apparitions; and then are frighted at them more than any body.
Now I began to take Courage, and to peep abroad again; for I had not stirr'd out of my Castle for three Days and Nights; so that I began to starve for Provision; for I had little or nothing within Doors, but some Barley Cakes and water. Then I knew that my Goats wanted to be milk'd too, which usually was my Evening Diversion; and the poor Creatures were in great Pain and Inconvenience for want of it; and indeed, it almost spoil'd some of them, and almost dry'd up their Milk.
Heartning my self therefore with the Belief that this was nothing but the Print of one of my own Feet, and so I might be truly said to start at my own Shadow, I began to go abroad again, and went to my Country House, to milk my Flock; but to see with what Fear I went forward, how often I look'd behind me, how I was ready every now and then to lay down my Basket, and run for my Life, it would have made any one have thought I was haunted with an evil Conscience, or that I had been lately most terribly frighted, and so indeed I had.
The British Are Coming
The British Are Coming
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
Such is the uneven State of human Life: And it afforded me a great many curious Speculations afterwards, when I had a little recover'd my first Surprize; I consider'd that this was the Station of Life the infinitely wise and good Providence of God had determin'd for me, that as I could not foresee what the Ends of Divine Wisdom might be in all this, so I was not to dispute his Sovereignty, who, as I was his Creature, had an undoubted Right by Creation to govern and dispose of me absolutely as he thought fit; and who, as I was a Creature who had offended him, had likewise a judicial Right to condemn me to what Punishment he thought fit; and that it was my Part to submit to bear his Indignation, because I had sinn'd against him.
I then reflected that God, who was not only Righteous but Onmipotent, as he had thought fit thus to punish and afflict me, so he was able to deliver me; that if he did not think fit to do it, 'twas my unquestion'd Duty to resign my self absolutely and entirely to his Will; and on the other Hand, it was my Duty also to hope in him, pray to him, and quietly to attend the Dictates and Directions of his daily Providence.
These Thoughts took me up many Hours, Days; nay, I may say, Weeks and Months; and one particular Effect of my Cogitations on this Occasion, I cannot omit, viz. One Morning early, lying in my Bed, and fill'd with Thought about my Danger from the Appearance of Savages, I found it discompos'd me very much, upon which those Words of the Scripture came into my Thoughts, Call upon me in the Day of Trouble, and I will deliver, and thou shalt glorify me.
Upon this, rising chearfully out of my Bed, my Heart was not only comforted, but I was guided and encourag'd to pray earnestly to God for Deliverance: When I had done praying, I took up my Bible, and opening it to read, the first Words that presented to me, were, Wait on the Lord, and be of good Cheer, and he shall strengthen thy Heart; wait, I say, on the Lord: It is impossible to express the Comfort this gave me. In Answer, I thankfully laid down the Book, and was no more sad, at least, not on that Occasion.
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
Such is the uneven State of human Life: And it afforded me a great many curious Speculations afterwards, when I had a little recover'd my first Surprize; I consider'd that this was the Station of Life the infinitely wise and good Providence of God had determin'd for me, that as I could not foresee what the Ends of Divine Wisdom might be in all this, so I was not to dispute his Sovereignty, who, as I was his Creature, had an undoubted Right by Creation to govern and dispose of me absolutely as he thought fit; and who, as I was a Creature who had offended him, had likewise a judicial Right to condemn me to what Punishment he thought fit; and that it was my Part to submit to bear his Indignation, because I had sinn'd against him.
I then reflected that God, who was not only Righteous but Onmipotent, as he had thought fit thus to punish and afflict me, so he was able to deliver me; that if he did not think fit to do it, 'twas my unquestion'd Duty to resign my self absolutely and entirely to his Will; and on the other Hand, it was my Duty also to hope in him, pray to him, and quietly to attend the Dictates and Directions of his daily Providence.
These Thoughts took me up many Hours, Days; nay, I may say, Weeks and Months; and one particular Effect of my Cogitations on this Occasion, I cannot omit, viz. One Morning early, lying in my Bed, and fill'd with Thought about my Danger from the Appearance of Savages, I found it discompos'd me very much, upon which those Words of the Scripture came into my Thoughts, Call upon me in the Day of Trouble, and I will deliver, and thou shalt glorify me.
Upon this, rising chearfully out of my Bed, my Heart was not only comforted, but I was guided and encourag'd to pray earnestly to God for Deliverance: When I had done praying, I took up my Bible, and opening it to read, the first Words that presented to me, were, Wait on the Lord, and be of good Cheer, and he shall strengthen thy Heart; wait, I say, on the Lord: It is impossible to express the Comfort this gave me. In Answer, I thankfully laid down the Book, and was no more sad, at least, not on that Occasion.
seated nude
seated nude
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche While these Reflections were rowling upon my Mind, I was very thankful in my Thoughts, that I was so happy as not to be thereabouts at that Time, or that they did not see my Boat, by which they would have concluded that some Inhabitants had been in the Place, and perhaps have search'd farther for me: Then terrible Thoughts rack'd my Imagination about their having found my Boat, and that there were People here; and that if so, I should certainly have them come again in greater Numbers, and devour me; that if it should happen so that they should not find me, yet they would find my Enclosure, destroy all my Corn, carry away all my Flock of tame Goats, and I should perish at last for meer Want.
Thus my Fear banish'd all my religious Hope; all that former Confidence in God which was founded upon such wonderful Experience as I had had of his Goodness, now vanished, as if he that had fed me by Miracle hitherto, could not preserve by his Power the Provision which he had made for me by his Goodness: I reproach'd my self with my Easiness, that would not sow any more Corn one Year than would just serve me till the next Season, as if no Accident could intervene to prevent my enjoying the Crop that was upon the Ground; and this I thought so just a Reproof, that I resolv'd for the future to have two or three Years Corn beforehand, so that whatever might come, I might not perish for want of Bread.
How strange a Chequer Work of Providence is the Life of Man! and by what secret differing Springs are the Affections hurry'd about as differing Circumstance present To Day we love what to Morrow we hate; to Day we seek what to Morrow we shun; to Day we desire what to Morrow we fear; nay even tremble at the Apprehensions of; this was exemplify'd in me at this Time in the most lively Manner imaginable; for I whose only Affliction was, that I seem'd banished from human Society, that I was alone, circumscrib'd by the boundless Ocean, cut off from Mankind, and condemn'd to what I call'd silent Life; that I was as one who Heaven thought not worthy to be number'd among the Living, or to appear among the rest of his Creatures; that to have seen one of my own Species, would have seem'd to me a Raising me from Death to Life, and the greatest Blessing that Heaven it self, next to the supreme Blessing of Salvation, could bestow; I say, that I should now tremble at the very Apprehensions of seeing a Man, and was ready to sink into the Ground at but the Shadow or silent Appearance of a Man's having set his Foot in the Island.
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche While these Reflections were rowling upon my Mind, I was very thankful in my Thoughts, that I was so happy as not to be thereabouts at that Time, or that they did not see my Boat, by which they would have concluded that some Inhabitants had been in the Place, and perhaps have search'd farther for me: Then terrible Thoughts rack'd my Imagination about their having found my Boat, and that there were People here; and that if so, I should certainly have them come again in greater Numbers, and devour me; that if it should happen so that they should not find me, yet they would find my Enclosure, destroy all my Corn, carry away all my Flock of tame Goats, and I should perish at last for meer Want.
Thus my Fear banish'd all my religious Hope; all that former Confidence in God which was founded upon such wonderful Experience as I had had of his Goodness, now vanished, as if he that had fed me by Miracle hitherto, could not preserve by his Power the Provision which he had made for me by his Goodness: I reproach'd my self with my Easiness, that would not sow any more Corn one Year than would just serve me till the next Season, as if no Accident could intervene to prevent my enjoying the Crop that was upon the Ground; and this I thought so just a Reproof, that I resolv'd for the future to have two or three Years Corn beforehand, so that whatever might come, I might not perish for want of Bread.
How strange a Chequer Work of Providence is the Life of Man! and by what secret differing Springs are the Affections hurry'd about as differing Circumstance present To Day we love what to Morrow we hate; to Day we seek what to Morrow we shun; to Day we desire what to Morrow we fear; nay even tremble at the Apprehensions of; this was exemplify'd in me at this Time in the most lively Manner imaginable; for I whose only Affliction was, that I seem'd banished from human Society, that I was alone, circumscrib'd by the boundless Ocean, cut off from Mankind, and condemn'd to what I call'd silent Life; that I was as one who Heaven thought not worthy to be number'd among the Living, or to appear among the rest of his Creatures; that to have seen one of my own Species, would have seem'd to me a Raising me from Death to Life, and the greatest Blessing that Heaven it self, next to the supreme Blessing of Salvation, could bestow; I say, that I should now tremble at the very Apprehensions of seeing a Man, and was ready to sink into the Ground at but the Shadow or silent Appearance of a Man's having set his Foot in the Island.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The Lady of Shalott
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The very next Day after this Wall was finish'd, I had almost had all my Labour overthrown at once, and my self kill'd; the Case was thus, As I was busy in the Inside of it, behind my Tent, just in the Entrance into my Cave, I was terribly frighted with a most dreadful surprising Thing indeed; for all on a sudden I found the Earth come crumbling down from the Roof of my Cave, and from the Edge of the Hill over my Head, and two of the Posts I had set up in the Cave crack'd in a frightful Manner; I was heartily scar'd, but thought nothing' of what was really the Cause, only thinking that the Top of my Cave was falling in, as some of it had done before; and for Fear I shou'd be bury'd in it, I run foreward to my Ladder, and not thinking my self safe there neither, I got over my Wall for Fear of the Pieces of the Hill which I expected might roll down upon me: I was no sooner stepp'd down upon the firm Ground, but I plainly saw it was a terrible Earthquake, for the Ground I stood on shook three Times at about eight Minutes Distance, with three such Shocks, as would have overturn'd the strongest Building that could be suppos'd to have stood on the Earth, and a great Piece of the Top of a Rock, which stood about half a Mile from me next the Sea, fell down with such a terrible Noise, as I never heard in all my Life, I perceiv'd also, the very Sea was put into violent Motion by it; and I believe the Shocks were stronger under the Water than on the Island.
I was so amaz'd with the Thing it self, having never felt the like, or discours'd with any one that had, that I was like one dead or stupify'd; and the Motion of the Earth made my Stomach sick like one that was toss'd at Sea; but the Noise of the falling of the Rock awak'd me as it were, and rousing me from the stupify'd Condition I was in, fill'd me with Horror, and I thought of nothing then but the Hill falling upon my Tent and all my houshold Goods, and burying all at once; and this sunk my very Soul within me a second Time.
After the third Shock was over, and I felt no more for some Time, I began to take Courage, and yet I had not Heart enough to go over my Wall again, for Fear of being buried alive, but sat Still upon the Ground, greatly cast down and disconsolate, not knowing what to do: All this while I had not the least Serious religious Thought, nothing but the common, Lord ha' Mercy upon me; and when it was over, that went away too.
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The very next Day after this Wall was finish'd, I had almost had all my Labour overthrown at once, and my self kill'd; the Case was thus, As I was busy in the Inside of it, behind my Tent, just in the Entrance into my Cave, I was terribly frighted with a most dreadful surprising Thing indeed; for all on a sudden I found the Earth come crumbling down from the Roof of my Cave, and from the Edge of the Hill over my Head, and two of the Posts I had set up in the Cave crack'd in a frightful Manner; I was heartily scar'd, but thought nothing' of what was really the Cause, only thinking that the Top of my Cave was falling in, as some of it had done before; and for Fear I shou'd be bury'd in it, I run foreward to my Ladder, and not thinking my self safe there neither, I got over my Wall for Fear of the Pieces of the Hill which I expected might roll down upon me: I was no sooner stepp'd down upon the firm Ground, but I plainly saw it was a terrible Earthquake, for the Ground I stood on shook three Times at about eight Minutes Distance, with three such Shocks, as would have overturn'd the strongest Building that could be suppos'd to have stood on the Earth, and a great Piece of the Top of a Rock, which stood about half a Mile from me next the Sea, fell down with such a terrible Noise, as I never heard in all my Life, I perceiv'd also, the very Sea was put into violent Motion by it; and I believe the Shocks were stronger under the Water than on the Island.
I was so amaz'd with the Thing it self, having never felt the like, or discours'd with any one that had, that I was like one dead or stupify'd; and the Motion of the Earth made my Stomach sick like one that was toss'd at Sea; but the Noise of the falling of the Rock awak'd me as it were, and rousing me from the stupify'd Condition I was in, fill'd me with Horror, and I thought of nothing then but the Hill falling upon my Tent and all my houshold Goods, and burying all at once; and this sunk my very Soul within me a second Time.
After the third Shock was over, and I felt no more for some Time, I began to take Courage, and yet I had not Heart enough to go over my Wall again, for Fear of being buried alive, but sat Still upon the Ground, greatly cast down and disconsolate, not knowing what to do: All this while I had not the least Serious religious Thought, nothing but the common, Lord ha' Mercy upon me; and when it was over, that went away too.
The British Are Coming
The British Are Coming
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
I carefully sav'd the Ears of this Corn you may be sure in their Season, which was about the End of June; and laying up every Corn, resolv'd to sow them all again, hoping in Time to have some Quantity sufficient to supply me with Bread; But it was not till the 4th Year that I could allow my self the least Grain of this Corn to eat, and even then but sparingly, as I shall say afterwards in its Order; for I lost all that I sow'd the first Season, by not Observing the proper Time; for I sow'd it just before the dry Season, so that it never came up at all, at least, not as it would ha' done: Of which in its Place.
Besides this Barley, there was, as above, 20 or 30 Stalks of Ryce, which I preserv'd with the same Care, and whose Use was of the same Kind or to the same Purpose, (viz.) to make me Bread, or rather Food; for I found Ways to cook it up without baking, tho' I did that also after some Time. But to return to my Journal,
I work'd excessive hard these three or four Months to get my Wall done; and the 14th of April I closed it up, contriving to go into it, not by a Door, but over the Wall by a Ladder, that there might be no Sign in the Out-side of my Habitation.
April 16. I finish'd the Ladder, so I went up with the Ladder to the Top, and then pull'd it up after me, and let it down in the In-side: This was a compleat Enclosure to men for within I had Room enough, and nothing could come at me from without, unless it could first mount my Wall.
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
I carefully sav'd the Ears of this Corn you may be sure in their Season, which was about the End of June; and laying up every Corn, resolv'd to sow them all again, hoping in Time to have some Quantity sufficient to supply me with Bread; But it was not till the 4th Year that I could allow my self the least Grain of this Corn to eat, and even then but sparingly, as I shall say afterwards in its Order; for I lost all that I sow'd the first Season, by not Observing the proper Time; for I sow'd it just before the dry Season, so that it never came up at all, at least, not as it would ha' done: Of which in its Place.
Besides this Barley, there was, as above, 20 or 30 Stalks of Ryce, which I preserv'd with the same Care, and whose Use was of the same Kind or to the same Purpose, (viz.) to make me Bread, or rather Food; for I found Ways to cook it up without baking, tho' I did that also after some Time. But to return to my Journal,
I work'd excessive hard these three or four Months to get my Wall done; and the 14th of April I closed it up, contriving to go into it, not by a Door, but over the Wall by a Ladder, that there might be no Sign in the Out-side of my Habitation.
April 16. I finish'd the Ladder, so I went up with the Ladder to the Top, and then pull'd it up after me, and let it down in the In-side: This was a compleat Enclosure to men for within I had Room enough, and nothing could come at me from without, unless it could first mount my Wall.
seated nude
seated nude
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
It is impossible to express the Astonishment and Confusion of my Thoughts on this Occasion; I had hitherto acted upon no religious Foundation at all, indeed I had very few Notions of Religion in my Head, or had' entertain'd any Sense of any Thing that had befallen me, otherwise than as a Chance, or, as we lightly say, what pleases God; without so much as enquiring into the End of Providence in these Things, or his Order in governing Events in the World: But after I saw Barley grow there, in a Climate which I know was not proper for Corn, and especially that I knew not how it came there, It startl'd me strangely, and I began to suggest, that God had miraculously caus'd this Grain to grow without any Help of Seed sown, and that it was so directed purely for my Sustenance, on that wild miserable Place.
This touch'd my Heart a little, and brought Tears out of my Eyes, and I began to bless my self, that such a Prodigy of Nature should happen upon my Account; and this was the more strange to me, because I saw near it still all along by the Side of the Rock, some other straggling Stalks, which prov'd to be Stalks of Ryce, and which I knew, because I had seen it grow in Africa when I was ashore there.
I not only thought these the pure Productions of Providence for my Support, but not doubting, but that there was more in the Place, I went all over that Part of the Island, where I had been before, peering in every Corner, and under every Rock, to see for more of it, but I could not find any; at last it occur'd to my Thoughts, that I had shook a Bag of Chickens Meat out in that Place, and then the Wonder began to cease; and I must confess, my religious Thankfulness to God's Providence began to abate too upon the Discovering that all this was nothing but what was common; tho' I ought to have been as thankful for so strange and unforseen Providence, as if it had been miraculous; for it was really the Work of Providence as to me, that should order or appoint, that 10 or 12 Grains of Corn should remain unspoil'd, (when the Rats had destroy'd all the rest,) as if it had been dropt from Heaven; as also, that I should throw it out in that particular Place, where it being in the Shade of a high Rock, it sprang up immediately; whereas, if I had thrown it anywhere else, at that Time, it had been burnt up and destroy'd.
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
It is impossible to express the Astonishment and Confusion of my Thoughts on this Occasion; I had hitherto acted upon no religious Foundation at all, indeed I had very few Notions of Religion in my Head, or had' entertain'd any Sense of any Thing that had befallen me, otherwise than as a Chance, or, as we lightly say, what pleases God; without so much as enquiring into the End of Providence in these Things, or his Order in governing Events in the World: But after I saw Barley grow there, in a Climate which I know was not proper for Corn, and especially that I knew not how it came there, It startl'd me strangely, and I began to suggest, that God had miraculously caus'd this Grain to grow without any Help of Seed sown, and that it was so directed purely for my Sustenance, on that wild miserable Place.
This touch'd my Heart a little, and brought Tears out of my Eyes, and I began to bless my self, that such a Prodigy of Nature should happen upon my Account; and this was the more strange to me, because I saw near it still all along by the Side of the Rock, some other straggling Stalks, which prov'd to be Stalks of Ryce, and which I knew, because I had seen it grow in Africa when I was ashore there.
I not only thought these the pure Productions of Providence for my Support, but not doubting, but that there was more in the Place, I went all over that Part of the Island, where I had been before, peering in every Corner, and under every Rock, to see for more of it, but I could not find any; at last it occur'd to my Thoughts, that I had shook a Bag of Chickens Meat out in that Place, and then the Wonder began to cease; and I must confess, my religious Thankfulness to God's Providence began to abate too upon the Discovering that all this was nothing but what was common; tho' I ought to have been as thankful for so strange and unforseen Providence, as if it had been miraculous; for it was really the Work of Providence as to me, that should order or appoint, that 10 or 12 Grains of Corn should remain unspoil'd, (when the Rats had destroy'd all the rest,) as if it had been dropt from Heaven; as also, that I should throw it out in that particular Place, where it being in the Shade of a high Rock, it sprang up immediately; whereas, if I had thrown it anywhere else, at that Time, it had been burnt up and destroy'd.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Lady of Shalott
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
Having succeeded in obtaining entrance with another key, I ran to unclose the panels, for the chamber was vacant; quickly pushing them aside, I peeped in. Mr Heathcliff was there--laid on his back. His eyes met mine so keen and fierce, I started; and then he seemed to smile. I could not think him dead: but his face and throat were washed with rain; the bedclothes dripped, and he was ~ perfectly still. The lattice, flapping to and fro, had grazed one hand that rested on the sill; no blood trickled from the broken skin, and when I put my fingers to it, I could doubt no more: he was dead and stark!
I hasped the window; I combed his black long hair from his forehead; I tried to close his eyes: to extinguish, if possible, that frightful, lifelike gaze of exultation before anyone else beheld it. They would not shut: they seemed to sneer at my attempts: and his parted lips and sharp white teeth sneered too! Taken with another fit of cowardice, I cried out for Joseph. Joseph shuffled up and made a noise; but resolutely refused to meddle with him.
`Th' divil's harried off his soul,' he cried, `and he muh hev his carcass intuh t' bargain, for ow't Aw care! Ech! what a wicked un he looks girning at death!' and the old sinner grinned in mockery. I thought he intended to cut a caper round the bed; but, suddenly composing himself, he fell on his knees, and raised his hands, and returned thanks that the lawful master and the ancient stock were restored to their rights.
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
Having succeeded in obtaining entrance with another key, I ran to unclose the panels, for the chamber was vacant; quickly pushing them aside, I peeped in. Mr Heathcliff was there--laid on his back. His eyes met mine so keen and fierce, I started; and then he seemed to smile. I could not think him dead: but his face and throat were washed with rain; the bedclothes dripped, and he was ~ perfectly still. The lattice, flapping to and fro, had grazed one hand that rested on the sill; no blood trickled from the broken skin, and when I put my fingers to it, I could doubt no more: he was dead and stark!
I hasped the window; I combed his black long hair from his forehead; I tried to close his eyes: to extinguish, if possible, that frightful, lifelike gaze of exultation before anyone else beheld it. They would not shut: they seemed to sneer at my attempts: and his parted lips and sharp white teeth sneered too! Taken with another fit of cowardice, I cried out for Joseph. Joseph shuffled up and made a noise; but resolutely refused to meddle with him.
`Th' divil's harried off his soul,' he cried, `and he muh hev his carcass intuh t' bargain, for ow't Aw care! Ech! what a wicked un he looks girning at death!' and the old sinner grinned in mockery. I thought he intended to cut a caper round the bed; but, suddenly composing himself, he fell on his knees, and raised his hands, and returned thanks that the lawful master and the ancient stock were restored to their rights.
The British Are Coming
The British Are Coming
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
As soon as he heard the other members of the family stirring he retired to his den, and I breathed freer. But in the afternoon, while Joseph and Hareton were at their work, he came into the kitchen again, and, with a wild look, bid me come and sit in the house: he wanted somebody with him. I declined: telling him plainly that his strange talk and manner frightened me, and I had neither the nerve nor the will to be his companion alone.
`I believe you think me a fiend,' he said, with his dismal laugh: something too horrible to live under a decent roof.' Then turning to Catherine, who was there, and who drew behind me at his approach, he added, half sneeringly--`Will you come, chuck? I'll not hurt you. No! to you I've made myself worse than the devil. Well, there is one who won't shrink from my company! By God! she's relentless. Oh, damn it! It's unutterably too much for flesh and blood to bear--even mine.'
He solicited the society of no one more. At dusk, he went into his chamber. Through the whole night, and far into the morning, we heard him groaning and murmuring to himself. Hareton was anxious to enter; but I bade him fetch Mr Kenneth, and he should go in and see him. When he came, and I requested admittance and tried to open the door, I found it locked; and Heathcliff bid us be damned. He was better, and would be left alone; so the doctor went away.
The following evening was very wet: indeed it poured down till day-dawn; and, as I took my morning walk round the house, I observed the master's window swinging open, and the rain driving straight in. He cannot be in bed, I thought: those showers would drench him through. He must either be up or out. But I'll make no more ado, I'll go boldly and look.
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
As soon as he heard the other members of the family stirring he retired to his den, and I breathed freer. But in the afternoon, while Joseph and Hareton were at their work, he came into the kitchen again, and, with a wild look, bid me come and sit in the house: he wanted somebody with him. I declined: telling him plainly that his strange talk and manner frightened me, and I had neither the nerve nor the will to be his companion alone.
`I believe you think me a fiend,' he said, with his dismal laugh: something too horrible to live under a decent roof.' Then turning to Catherine, who was there, and who drew behind me at his approach, he added, half sneeringly--`Will you come, chuck? I'll not hurt you. No! to you I've made myself worse than the devil. Well, there is one who won't shrink from my company! By God! she's relentless. Oh, damn it! It's unutterably too much for flesh and blood to bear--even mine.'
He solicited the society of no one more. At dusk, he went into his chamber. Through the whole night, and far into the morning, we heard him groaning and murmuring to himself. Hareton was anxious to enter; but I bade him fetch Mr Kenneth, and he should go in and see him. When he came, and I requested admittance and tried to open the door, I found it locked; and Heathcliff bid us be damned. He was better, and would be left alone; so the doctor went away.
The following evening was very wet: indeed it poured down till day-dawn; and, as I took my morning walk round the house, I observed the master's window swinging open, and the rain driving straight in. He cannot be in bed, I thought: those showers would drench him through. He must either be up or out. But I'll make no more ado, I'll go boldly and look.
seated nude
seated nude
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
Happy, master?' I cried. `Strange happiness! If you would hear me without being angry, I might offer some advice that would make you happier.
"What is that?' he asked. `Give it.'
`You are aware, Mr Heathcliff,' I said, `that from the time you were thirteen years old, you have lived a selfish, unchristian life; and probably hardly had a Bible in your hands during all that period. You must have forgotten the contents of the book, and you may not have space to search it now. Could it be hurtful to send for someone--some minister of any denomination, it does not matter which--to explain it, and show you how very far you have erred from its precepts; and how unfit you will be for its heaven, unless a change takes place `before you die?'
`I'm rather obliged than angry, Nelly,' he said, `for you remind me of the manner that I desire to be buried in. It is to be carried to the churchyard in the evening. You and Hareton may, if you please, accompany me: and mind, particularly, to notice that the sexton obeys my directions concerning the two coffins! No minister need come; nor need anything be said over me.--I tell you I have nearly attained my heaven; and that of others is altogether unvalued and uncovered by me.
`And supposing you persevered in your obstinate fast, and died by that means, and they refused to bury you in the precincts of the kirk?' I said, shocked at his godless indifference. `How would you like it?'
`They won't do that,' he replied: `if they did, you must have me removed secretly: and if you neglect it you shall prove, practically, that the dead are not annihilated!'
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
Happy, master?' I cried. `Strange happiness! If you would hear me without being angry, I might offer some advice that would make you happier.
"What is that?' he asked. `Give it.'
`You are aware, Mr Heathcliff,' I said, `that from the time you were thirteen years old, you have lived a selfish, unchristian life; and probably hardly had a Bible in your hands during all that period. You must have forgotten the contents of the book, and you may not have space to search it now. Could it be hurtful to send for someone--some minister of any denomination, it does not matter which--to explain it, and show you how very far you have erred from its precepts; and how unfit you will be for its heaven, unless a change takes place `before you die?'
`I'm rather obliged than angry, Nelly,' he said, `for you remind me of the manner that I desire to be buried in. It is to be carried to the churchyard in the evening. You and Hareton may, if you please, accompany me: and mind, particularly, to notice that the sexton obeys my directions concerning the two coffins! No minister need come; nor need anything be said over me.--I tell you I have nearly attained my heaven; and that of others is altogether unvalued and uncovered by me.
`And supposing you persevered in your obstinate fast, and died by that means, and they refused to bury you in the precincts of the kirk?' I said, shocked at his godless indifference. `How would you like it?'
`They won't do that,' he replied: `if they did, you must have me removed secretly: and if you neglect it you shall prove, practically, that the dead are not annihilated!'
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Lady of Shalott
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers He's very delicate, sir,'' I replied; ``and scarcely likely to reach manhood; but this I can say, he does not resemble his father; and if Miss Catherine had the misfortune to marry him, he would not be beyond her control: unless she were extremely and foolishly indulgent. However, master, you'll have plenty of time to get acquainted with him, and see whether he would suit her: it wants four years and more to his being of age.'' '
Edgar sighed; and walking to the window, looked out towards Gimmerton Kirk. It was a misty afternoon, but the February sun shone dimly, and we could just distinguish the two fir trees in the yard, and the sparely scattered gravestones.
`I've prayed often', he half soliloquized, `for the approach of what is coming; and now I begin to shrink, and fear it. I thought the memory of the hour I came down that glen a bridegroom would be less sweet than the anticipation that I was soon, in a few months, or, possibly, weeks, to be carried up, and laid in its lonely hollow! Ellen, I've been very happy with my little Cathy: through winter nights and summer days she was a living hope at my side. But I've been as happy musing by myself among those stones, under that old church: lying, through the long June evenings, on the green mound of her mother's grave and wishing--yearning for the time when I might lie beneath it. What can I do for Cathy? How must I quit her? I'd not care one moment for Linton being Heathcliff's son; nor for his taking her from me, if he could console her for my loss. I'd not care that Heathcliff gained his ends, and triumphed in robbing me of my last blessing! But should Linton be unworthy--only a feeble tool to his father--I cannot abandon her to him! And, hard though it be to crush her buoyant spirit, I must persevere in making her sad while I live, and leaving her solitary when I die. Darling! I'd rather resign her to God, and lay her in the earth before me.'
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers He's very delicate, sir,'' I replied; ``and scarcely likely to reach manhood; but this I can say, he does not resemble his father; and if Miss Catherine had the misfortune to marry him, he would not be beyond her control: unless she were extremely and foolishly indulgent. However, master, you'll have plenty of time to get acquainted with him, and see whether he would suit her: it wants four years and more to his being of age.'' '
Edgar sighed; and walking to the window, looked out towards Gimmerton Kirk. It was a misty afternoon, but the February sun shone dimly, and we could just distinguish the two fir trees in the yard, and the sparely scattered gravestones.
`I've prayed often', he half soliloquized, `for the approach of what is coming; and now I begin to shrink, and fear it. I thought the memory of the hour I came down that glen a bridegroom would be less sweet than the anticipation that I was soon, in a few months, or, possibly, weeks, to be carried up, and laid in its lonely hollow! Ellen, I've been very happy with my little Cathy: through winter nights and summer days she was a living hope at my side. But I've been as happy musing by myself among those stones, under that old church: lying, through the long June evenings, on the green mound of her mother's grave and wishing--yearning for the time when I might lie beneath it. What can I do for Cathy? How must I quit her? I'd not care one moment for Linton being Heathcliff's son; nor for his taking her from me, if he could console her for my loss. I'd not care that Heathcliff gained his ends, and triumphed in robbing me of my last blessing! But should Linton be unworthy--only a feeble tool to his father--I cannot abandon her to him! And, hard though it be to crush her buoyant spirit, I must persevere in making her sad while I live, and leaving her solitary when I die. Darling! I'd rather resign her to God, and lay her in the earth before me.'
The British Are Coming
The British Are Coming
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
`These things happened last winter, sir,' said Mrs Dean; `hardly more than a year ago. Last winter, I did not think, at another twelve months' end, I should be amusing a stranger to the family with relating them! Yet, who knows how long you'll be a stranger? You're too young to rest always contented, living by yourself; and I some way fancy no one could see Catherine Linton and not love her. You smile; but why do you look so lively and interested, when I talk about her? and why have you asked me to hang her picture over your fireplace? and why--'
`Stop, my good friend!' I cried. `It may be very possible that I should love her; but would she love me? I doubt it too much to venture my tranquillity by running into temptation: and then my home is not here. I'm of the busy world, and to its arms I must return. Go on. Was Catherine obedient to her father's commands?'
`She was,' continued the housekeeper. `Her affection for him was still the chief sentiment in her heart; and he spoke without anger: he spoke in the deep tenderness of one about to leave his treasure amid perils and foes, where his remembered words would be the only aid that he could bequeath to guide her. He said to me, a few days afterwards:
`"I wish my nephew would write, Ellen, or call. Tell me, sincerely, what you think of him: is he changed for the better, or is there a prospect of improvement, as he grows a man?''
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
`These things happened last winter, sir,' said Mrs Dean; `hardly more than a year ago. Last winter, I did not think, at another twelve months' end, I should be amusing a stranger to the family with relating them! Yet, who knows how long you'll be a stranger? You're too young to rest always contented, living by yourself; and I some way fancy no one could see Catherine Linton and not love her. You smile; but why do you look so lively and interested, when I talk about her? and why have you asked me to hang her picture over your fireplace? and why--'
`Stop, my good friend!' I cried. `It may be very possible that I should love her; but would she love me? I doubt it too much to venture my tranquillity by running into temptation: and then my home is not here. I'm of the busy world, and to its arms I must return. Go on. Was Catherine obedient to her father's commands?'
`She was,' continued the housekeeper. `Her affection for him was still the chief sentiment in her heart; and he spoke without anger: he spoke in the deep tenderness of one about to leave his treasure amid perils and foes, where his remembered words would be the only aid that he could bequeath to guide her. He said to me, a few days afterwards:
`"I wish my nephew would write, Ellen, or call. Tell me, sincerely, what you think of him: is he changed for the better, or is there a prospect of improvement, as he grows a man?''
seated nude
seated nude
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
bitter, I hate everybody! I am worthless, and bad in temper, and bad in spirit, almost always; and, if you choose, you may say goodbye: you'll get rid of an annoyance. Only, Catherine, do me this justice: believe that if I might be as sweet, and as kind, and as good as you are, I would be; as willingly, and more so, than as happy and as healthy. And believe that your kindness has made me love you deeper than if I deserved your love: and though I couldn't, and cannot help showing my nature to you, I regret it and repent it; and shall regret and repent it till I die!''
`I felt he spoke the truth; and I felt I must forgive him: and, though he should quarrel the next moment, I must forgive him again. We were reconciled; but we cried, both of us, the whole time I stayed: not entirely for sorrow; yet I was sorry Linton had that distorted nature. He'll never let his friends be at ease, and he'll never be at ease himself! I have always gone to his little parlour, since that night; because his father returned the day after.
`About three times, I think, we have been merry and hopeful, as we were the first evening; the rest of my visits were dreary and troubled: now with his selfishness and spite, and now with his sufferings: but I've learned to endure the former with nearly as little resentment as the latter. Mr Heathcliff purposely avoids me:
I have hardly seen him at all. Last Sunday, indeed, coming earlier than usual, I heard him abusing poor Linton, cruelly, for his conduct of the night before. I can't tell how he knew of it, unless he listened. Linton had certainly behaved provokingly: however, it was the business of nobody but me, and I interrupted Mr Heathcliff's lecture by entering and telling him so. He burst into a laugh, and went away, saying he was glad I took that view of the matter. Since then, I've told Linton he must whisper his bitter things. Now Ellen, you have heard all; and I can't be prevented from going to Wuthering Heights except by inflicting misery on two people; whereas, if you'll only not tell papa, my going need disturb the tranquillity of none. You'll not tell, will you? It will be very heartless if you do.'
Spring Breeze
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
bitter, I hate everybody! I am worthless, and bad in temper, and bad in spirit, almost always; and, if you choose, you may say goodbye: you'll get rid of an annoyance. Only, Catherine, do me this justice: believe that if I might be as sweet, and as kind, and as good as you are, I would be; as willingly, and more so, than as happy and as healthy. And believe that your kindness has made me love you deeper than if I deserved your love: and though I couldn't, and cannot help showing my nature to you, I regret it and repent it; and shall regret and repent it till I die!''
`I felt he spoke the truth; and I felt I must forgive him: and, though he should quarrel the next moment, I must forgive him again. We were reconciled; but we cried, both of us, the whole time I stayed: not entirely for sorrow; yet I was sorry Linton had that distorted nature. He'll never let his friends be at ease, and he'll never be at ease himself! I have always gone to his little parlour, since that night; because his father returned the day after.
`About three times, I think, we have been merry and hopeful, as we were the first evening; the rest of my visits were dreary and troubled: now with his selfishness and spite, and now with his sufferings: but I've learned to endure the former with nearly as little resentment as the latter. Mr Heathcliff purposely avoids me:
I have hardly seen him at all. Last Sunday, indeed, coming earlier than usual, I heard him abusing poor Linton, cruelly, for his conduct of the night before. I can't tell how he knew of it, unless he listened. Linton had certainly behaved provokingly: however, it was the business of nobody but me, and I interrupted Mr Heathcliff's lecture by entering and telling him so. He burst into a laugh, and went away, saying he was glad I took that view of the matter. Since then, I've told Linton he must whisper his bitter things. Now Ellen, you have heard all; and I can't be prevented from going to Wuthering Heights except by inflicting misery on two people; whereas, if you'll only not tell papa, my going need disturb the tranquillity of none. You'll not tell, will you? It will be very heartless if you do.'
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Lady of Shalott
The Lady of Shalott
She placed a cushion under his head, and offered him some water; he rejected the latter, and tossed uneasily on the former, as if it were a stone or a block of wood. She tried to put it more comfortably.
`I can't do with that,' he said; `it's not high enough.'
Catherine brought another to lay above it.
`That's too high,' murmured the provoking thing.
`How must I arrange it, then?' she asked despairingly.
He twined himself up to her, as she half knelt by the settle, and converted her shoulder into a support.
`No, that won't do,' I said. `You'll be content with the cushion, Master Heathcliff. Miss has wasted too much time on you already: we cannot remain five minutes longer.'
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
`Yes, yes, we can!' replied Cathy. `He's good and patient now. He's beginning to think I shall have far greater misery than he will tonight, if I believe he is the worse for my visit; and then I dare not come again. Tell the truth about it, Linton; for I mustn't come, if I have hurt you.'
`You must come, to cure me,' he answered. `You ought to come, because you have hurt me: you know you have extremely! I was not as ill when you entered as I am at present--was I?'
`But you've made yourself ill by crying and being in a passion.'
`I didn't do it at all,' said his cousin. `However, we'll be friends
now. And you want me: you would wish to see me sometimes, really?'
`I told you I did,' he replied impatiently. `Sit on the settle and let me lean on your knee. That's as mamma used to do, whole afternoons together. Sit quite still and don't talk: but you may sing a song, if you can sing; or you may say a nice long interesting ballad--one of those you promised to teach me: or a story. I'd rather have a ballad, though: begin.'
The Nut Gatherers
She placed a cushion under his head, and offered him some water; he rejected the latter, and tossed uneasily on the former, as if it were a stone or a block of wood. She tried to put it more comfortably.
`I can't do with that,' he said; `it's not high enough.'
Catherine brought another to lay above it.
`That's too high,' murmured the provoking thing.
`How must I arrange it, then?' she asked despairingly.
He twined himself up to her, as she half knelt by the settle, and converted her shoulder into a support.
`No, that won't do,' I said. `You'll be content with the cushion, Master Heathcliff. Miss has wasted too much time on you already: we cannot remain five minutes longer.'
the night watch by rembrandt
the Night Watch
`Yes, yes, we can!' replied Cathy. `He's good and patient now. He's beginning to think I shall have far greater misery than he will tonight, if I believe he is the worse for my visit; and then I dare not come again. Tell the truth about it, Linton; for I mustn't come, if I have hurt you.'
`You must come, to cure me,' he answered. `You ought to come, because you have hurt me: you know you have extremely! I was not as ill when you entered as I am at present--was I?'
`But you've made yourself ill by crying and being in a passion.'
`I didn't do it at all,' said his cousin. `However, we'll be friends
now. And you want me: you would wish to see me sometimes, really?'
`I told you I did,' he replied impatiently. `Sit on the settle and let me lean on your knee. That's as mamma used to do, whole afternoons together. Sit quite still and don't talk: but you may sing a song, if you can sing; or you may say a nice long interesting ballad--one of those you promised to teach me: or a story. I'd rather have a ballad, though: begin.'
The Nut Gatherers
The British Are Coming
The British Are Coming
I can't speak to you,' he murmured; `you've hurt me so, that I shall lie awake all night choking with this cough. If you had it you'd know what it was; but you'll be comfortably asleep while I'm in agony, and nobody near me. I wonder how you would like to pass those fearful nights!' And he began to wail aloud, for very pity of himself.
`Since you are in the habit of passing dreadful nights,' I said, `it won't be miss who spoils your ease: you'd be the same had she never come. However, she shall not disturb you again; and perhaps you'll get quieter when we leave you.
`Must I go?' asked Catherine dolefully, bending over him. `Do you want me to go, Linton?'
`You can't alter what you've done,' he replied pettishly, shrinking from her, `unless you alter it for the worse by teasing me into a fever.'
`Well, then, I must go?' she repeated.
`Let me alone, at least,' said he; `I can't bear your talking.'
The Broken Pitcher
She lingered, and resisted my persuasions to departure a tiresome while; but as he neither looked up nor spoke, she finally made a movement to the door and I followed. We were recalled by a scream. Linton had slid from his seat on to the hearthstone, and lay writhing in the mere perverseness of an indulged plague of a child, determined to be as grievous and harassing as it can. I thoroughly gauged his disposition from his behaviour, and saw at once it would be folly to attempt humouring him. Not so my companion: she ran back in terror, knelt down, and cried, and soothed, and entreated, till he grew quiet from lack of breath: by no means from compunction at distressing her.
`I shall lift him on the settle,' I said, `and he may roll about as he pleases: we can't stop to watch him. I hope you are satisfied, Miss Cathy, that you are not the person to benefit him; and that his condition of health is not occasioned by attachment to you. Now, then, there he is! Come away: as soon as he knows there is nobody by to care for his nonsense, he'll be glad to lie still.'
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
I can't speak to you,' he murmured; `you've hurt me so, that I shall lie awake all night choking with this cough. If you had it you'd know what it was; but you'll be comfortably asleep while I'm in agony, and nobody near me. I wonder how you would like to pass those fearful nights!' And he began to wail aloud, for very pity of himself.
`Since you are in the habit of passing dreadful nights,' I said, `it won't be miss who spoils your ease: you'd be the same had she never come. However, she shall not disturb you again; and perhaps you'll get quieter when we leave you.
`Must I go?' asked Catherine dolefully, bending over him. `Do you want me to go, Linton?'
`You can't alter what you've done,' he replied pettishly, shrinking from her, `unless you alter it for the worse by teasing me into a fever.'
`Well, then, I must go?' she repeated.
`Let me alone, at least,' said he; `I can't bear your talking.'
The Broken Pitcher
She lingered, and resisted my persuasions to departure a tiresome while; but as he neither looked up nor spoke, she finally made a movement to the door and I followed. We were recalled by a scream. Linton had slid from his seat on to the hearthstone, and lay writhing in the mere perverseness of an indulged plague of a child, determined to be as grievous and harassing as it can. I thoroughly gauged his disposition from his behaviour, and saw at once it would be folly to attempt humouring him. Not so my companion: she ran back in terror, knelt down, and cried, and soothed, and entreated, till he grew quiet from lack of breath: by no means from compunction at distressing her.
`I shall lift him on the settle,' I said, `and he may roll about as he pleases: we can't stop to watch him. I hope you are satisfied, Miss Cathy, that you are not the person to benefit him; and that his condition of health is not occasioned by attachment to you. Now, then, there he is! Come away: as soon as he knows there is nobody by to care for his nonsense, he'll be glad to lie still.'
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
seated nude
`Well, I'll tell you something!' said Linton. `Your mother hated your father: now then.'
`Oh!' exclaimed Catherine, too enraged to continue. `And she loved mine!' added he.
`You little liar! I hate you now,' she panted, and her face grew red with passion.
`She did! she did!' sang Linton, sinking into the recess of his chair, and leaning back his head to enjoy the agitation of the other disputant, who stood behind.
`Hush, Master Heathcliff!' I said; `that's your father's tale, too, I suppose.'
`It isn't: you hold your tongue!' he answered. `She did, she did, Catherine! she did, she did!'
Cathy, beside herself, gave the chair a violent push, and caused him to fall against one arm. He was immediately seized by a suffocating cough that soon ended his triumph. It lasted so long that it frightened even me. As to his cousin, she wept, with all her might; aghast at the mischief she had done: though she said nothing. I held him till the fit exhausted itself. Then he thrust me away, and leant his head down silently. Catherine quelled her lamentations also, took a seat opposite, and looked solemnly into the fire.
`How do you feel now, Master Heathcliff?' I inquired, after waiting ten minutes.
Spring Breeze
I wish she felt as I do,' he replied: `spiteful, cruel thing! Hareton never touches me: he never struck me in his life. And I was better today: and there--` his voice died in a whimper.
`I didn't strike you!' muttered Cathy, chewing her lip to prevent another burst of emotion.
He sighed and moaned like one under great suffering, and kept it up for a quarter of an hour; on purpose to distress his cousin apparently, for whenever he caught a stifled sob from her he put renewed pain and pathos into the inflections of his voice.
`I'm sorry I hurt you, Linton,' she said at length, racked beyond endurance. `But I couldn't have been hurt by that little push, and I had no idea that you could, either: you're not much, are you, Linton? Don't let me go home thinking I've done you harm. Answer! speak to me.'
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
Saturday, October 20, 2007
the Night Watch
the Night Watch
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
While he was speaking, Joseph returned bearing a basin of milk porridge, and placed it before Linton. He stirred round the homely mess with a look of aversion, and affirmed he could not eat it. I saw the old manservant shared largely in his master's scorn of the child; though he was compelled to retain the sentiment in his heart, because Heathcliff plainly meant his underlings to hold him in honour.
`Cannot ate it?' repeated he, peering in Linton's face, and subduing his voice to a whisper, for fear of being overheard. `But Maister Hareton nivir ate naught else, when he wer a little un; and what were gooid eneugh for him's gooid eneugh for ye, Aw's rayther think!'
`I shan't eat it!' answered Linton snappishly. `Take it away.' Joseph snatched up the food indignantly, and brought it to us. `Is there aught ails th' victuals?' he asked thrusting the tray under Heathcliff's nose.
`What should ail them?' he said.
`Wah!' answered Joseph, `yon dainty chap says he cannut ate em. But Aw guess it's raight! His mother wer just soa--we wer a'most too mucky to sow t' corn for makking her breead.'
`Don't mention his mother to me,' said the master angrily. `Get him something that he can eat, that's all. What is his usual food, Nelly?'
The Nut Gatherers
The Painter's Honeymoon
the polish rider
While he was speaking, Joseph returned bearing a basin of milk porridge, and placed it before Linton. He stirred round the homely mess with a look of aversion, and affirmed he could not eat it. I saw the old manservant shared largely in his master's scorn of the child; though he was compelled to retain the sentiment in his heart, because Heathcliff plainly meant his underlings to hold him in honour.
`Cannot ate it?' repeated he, peering in Linton's face, and subduing his voice to a whisper, for fear of being overheard. `But Maister Hareton nivir ate naught else, when he wer a little un; and what were gooid eneugh for him's gooid eneugh for ye, Aw's rayther think!'
`I shan't eat it!' answered Linton snappishly. `Take it away.' Joseph snatched up the food indignantly, and brought it to us. `Is there aught ails th' victuals?' he asked thrusting the tray under Heathcliff's nose.
`What should ail them?' he said.
`Wah!' answered Joseph, `yon dainty chap says he cannut ate em. But Aw guess it's raight! His mother wer just soa--we wer a'most too mucky to sow t' corn for makking her breead.'
`Don't mention his mother to me,' said the master angrily. `Get him something that he can eat, that's all. What is his usual food, Nelly?'
The Broken Pitcher
The Broken Pitcher
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
`No? What a shame of your mother, never to waken your filial regard for me! You are my son, then, I'll tell you; and your mother was a wicked slut to leave you in ignorance of the sort of father you possessed. Now, don't wince, and colour up! Though it is something to see you have not white blood. Be a good lad; and I'll do for you. Nelly, if you be tired you may sit down; if not, get home again. I guess you'll report what you hear and see to the cipher at the Grange; and this thing won't be settled while you linger about it.'
`Well,' replied I, `I hope you'll be kind to the boy, Mr Heathcliff, or you'll not keep him long; and he's all you have akin in the wide world, that you will ever know--remember.'
`I'll be very kind to him, you needn't fear,' he said, laughing. `Only nobody else must be kind to him: I'm jealous of monopolizing his affection. And, to begin my kindness, Joseph, bring the lad some breakfast. Hareton, you infernal calf, begone to your work. Yes, Nell,' he added, when they had departed, `my son is prospective owner of your place, and I should not wish him to die till I was certain of being his successor. Besides, he's mine, and I want the triumph of seeing my descendant fairly lord of their estates: my child hiring their children to till their father's lands for wages. That is the sole consideration which can make me endure the whelp: I despise him for himself, and hate him for the memories he revives! But that consideration is sufficient: he's as safe with me, and shall be tended as carefully as your master tends his own. I have a room upstairs, furnished for him in handsome style: I've engaged a tutor, also, to come three times a week, from twenty miles distance, to teach him what he pleases to learn. I've ordered Hareton to obey him; and in fact I've arranged everything with a view to preserve the superior and the gentleman in him, above his associates. I do regret, however, that he so little deserves the trouble; if I wished any blessing in the world, it was to find him a worthy object of pride; and I'm bitterly disappointed with the whey-faced whining wretch!'
The Jewel Casket
The Kitchen Maid
The Lady of Shalott
the night watch by rembrandt
`No? What a shame of your mother, never to waken your filial regard for me! You are my son, then, I'll tell you; and your mother was a wicked slut to leave you in ignorance of the sort of father you possessed. Now, don't wince, and colour up! Though it is something to see you have not white blood. Be a good lad; and I'll do for you. Nelly, if you be tired you may sit down; if not, get home again. I guess you'll report what you hear and see to the cipher at the Grange; and this thing won't be settled while you linger about it.'
`Well,' replied I, `I hope you'll be kind to the boy, Mr Heathcliff, or you'll not keep him long; and he's all you have akin in the wide world, that you will ever know--remember.'
`I'll be very kind to him, you needn't fear,' he said, laughing. `Only nobody else must be kind to him: I'm jealous of monopolizing his affection. And, to begin my kindness, Joseph, bring the lad some breakfast. Hareton, you infernal calf, begone to your work. Yes, Nell,' he added, when they had departed, `my son is prospective owner of your place, and I should not wish him to die till I was certain of being his successor. Besides, he's mine, and I want the triumph of seeing my descendant fairly lord of their estates: my child hiring their children to till their father's lands for wages. That is the sole consideration which can make me endure the whelp: I despise him for himself, and hate him for the memories he revives! But that consideration is sufficient: he's as safe with me, and shall be tended as carefully as your master tends his own. I have a room upstairs, furnished for him in handsome style: I've engaged a tutor, also, to come three times a week, from twenty miles distance, to teach him what he pleases to learn. I've ordered Hareton to obey him; and in fact I've arranged everything with a view to preserve the superior and the gentleman in him, above his associates. I do regret, however, that he so little deserves the trouble; if I wished any blessing in the world, it was to find him a worthy object of pride; and I'm bitterly disappointed with the whey-faced whining wretch!'
seated nude
seated nude
Spring Breeze
He got up and strode to the door. Hareton and Joseph followed in gaping curiosity. Poor Linton ran a frightened eye over the faces of the three.
`Sure-ly,' said Joseph, after a grave inspection, `he's swopped wi' ye, maister, an' yon's his lass!'
Heathcliff, having stared his son into an ague of confusion, uttered a scornful laugh.
`God! what a beauty! what a lovely, charming thing!' he exclaimed. `Haven't they reared it on snails and sour milk, Nelly? Oh, damn my soul! but that's worse than I expected--and the devil knows I was not sanguine!'
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
I bid the trembling and bewildered child get down, and enter. He did not thoroughly comprehend the meaning of his father's speech, or whether it were intended for him: indeed, he was not yet certain that the grim, sneering stranger was his father. But he clung to me with growing trepidation; and on Mr Heathcliff's taking a seat and bidding him `come hither', he hid his face on my shoulder and wept.
`Tut, tut!' said Heathcliff, stretching out a hand and dragging him roughly between his knees, and then holding up his head by the chin. `None of that nonsense! We're not going to hurt thee, Linton--isn't that thy name? Thou art thy mother's child, entirely! Where is my share in thee, puling chicken?'
He took off the boy's cap and pushed back his thick flaxen curls, felt his slender arms and his small fingers; during which examination, Linton ceased crying, and lifted his great blue eyes to inspect the inspector.
`Do you know me?' asked Heathcliff, having satisfied himself that the limbs were all equally frail and feeble.
`No,' said Linton, with a gaze of vacant fear.
`You've heard of me, I dare say?'
`No,' he replied again.
Spring Breeze
He got up and strode to the door. Hareton and Joseph followed in gaping curiosity. Poor Linton ran a frightened eye over the faces of the three.
`Sure-ly,' said Joseph, after a grave inspection, `he's swopped wi' ye, maister, an' yon's his lass!'
Heathcliff, having stared his son into an ague of confusion, uttered a scornful laugh.
`God! what a beauty! what a lovely, charming thing!' he exclaimed. `Haven't they reared it on snails and sour milk, Nelly? Oh, damn my soul! but that's worse than I expected--and the devil knows I was not sanguine!'
Sweet Nothings
The Abduction of Psyche
The British Are Coming
I bid the trembling and bewildered child get down, and enter. He did not thoroughly comprehend the meaning of his father's speech, or whether it were intended for him: indeed, he was not yet certain that the grim, sneering stranger was his father. But he clung to me with growing trepidation; and on Mr Heathcliff's taking a seat and bidding him `come hither', he hid his face on my shoulder and wept.
`Tut, tut!' said Heathcliff, stretching out a hand and dragging him roughly between his knees, and then holding up his head by the chin. `None of that nonsense! We're not going to hurt thee, Linton--isn't that thy name? Thou art thy mother's child, entirely! Where is my share in thee, puling chicken?'
He took off the boy's cap and pushed back his thick flaxen curls, felt his slender arms and his small fingers; during which examination, Linton ceased crying, and lifted his great blue eyes to inspect the inspector.
`Do you know me?' asked Heathcliff, having satisfied himself that the limbs were all equally frail and feeble.
`No,' said Linton, with a gaze of vacant fear.
`You've heard of me, I dare say?'
`No,' he replied again.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
the last supper
the last supper Mrs Linton, on the third day, unbarred her door, and having finished the water in her pitcher and decanter, desired a renewed supply, and a basin of gruel, for she believed she was dying. That I set down as a speech meant for Edgar's ears; I believed no such thing, so I kept it to myself and brought her some tea and dry toast. She ate and drank eagerly; and sank back on her pillow again clenching her hands and groaning. `Oh, I will die,' she exclaimed, `since no one cares anything about me. I wish I had not taken that.' Then a good while after I heard her murmur, `No, I'll not die--he'd be glad--he does not love me at all--he would never miss me!'
`Did you want anything, ma'am?' I inquired, still preserving my external composure, in spite of her ghastly countenance, and strange exaggerated manner.
the last supper
What is that apathetic being doing?' she demanded, pushing her thick entangled locks from her wasted face. `Has he fallen into a lethargy, or is he dead?'
`Neither,' replied I; `if you mean Mr Linton. He's tolerably well, I think, though his studies occupy him rather more than they ought: he is continually among his books, since he has no other society.'
I should not have spoken so, if I had known her true condition, but I could not get rid of the notion that she acted a part of her disorder.
the last supper
`Did you want anything, ma'am?' I inquired, still preserving my external composure, in spite of her ghastly countenance, and strange exaggerated manner.
the last supper
What is that apathetic being doing?' she demanded, pushing her thick entangled locks from her wasted face. `Has he fallen into a lethargy, or is he dead?'
`Neither,' replied I; `if you mean Mr Linton. He's tolerably well, I think, though his studies occupy him rather more than they ought: he is continually among his books, since he has no other society.'
I should not have spoken so, if I had known her true condition, but I could not get rid of the notion that she acted a part of her disorder.
the last supper
the last supper painting
the last supper painting As she never offered to descend to breakfast next morning, I went to ask whether she would have some carried up. `No!' she replied peremptorily. The same question was repeated at dinner and tea; and again on the morrow after, and received the same answer. Mr Linton, on his part, spent his time in the library, and did not inquire concerning his wife's occupations. Isabella and he had had an hour's interview, during which he tried to elicit from her some sentiment of proper horror for Heathcliff's advances: but he could make nothing of her evasive replies, and was obliged to close the examination unsatisfactorily; adding, however, a solemn warning, that if she were so insane as to encourage that worthless suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of relationship between herself and him.
the last supper painting
While Miss Linton moped about the park and garden, always silent, and almost always in tears; and her brother shut himself up among books that he never opened--wearying, I guessed, with a continual vague expectation that Catherine, repenting her conduct, would come of her own accord to ask pardon, and seek a reconciliation--and she fasted pertinaciously, under the idea, probably, that at every meal, Edgar was ready to choke for her absence, and pride alone held him from running to cast himself at her feet: I went about my household duties, convinced that the Grange had but one sensible soul in its walls, and that lodged in my body. I wasted no condolences on Miss, nor any expostulations on my mistress; nor did I pay much attention to the sighs of my master, who yearned to hear his lady's name, since he might not hear her voice. I determined they should come about as they pleased for me; and though it was a tiresomely slow process, I began to rejoice at length in a faint dawn of its progress: as I thought at first.
the last supper painting
the last supper painting
While Miss Linton moped about the park and garden, always silent, and almost always in tears; and her brother shut himself up among books that he never opened--wearying, I guessed, with a continual vague expectation that Catherine, repenting her conduct, would come of her own accord to ask pardon, and seek a reconciliation--and she fasted pertinaciously, under the idea, probably, that at every meal, Edgar was ready to choke for her absence, and pride alone held him from running to cast himself at her feet: I went about my household duties, convinced that the Grange had but one sensible soul in its walls, and that lodged in my body. I wasted no condolences on Miss, nor any expostulations on my mistress; nor did I pay much attention to the sighs of my master, who yearned to hear his lady's name, since he might not hear her voice. I determined they should come about as they pleased for me; and though it was a tiresomely slow process, I began to rejoice at length in a faint dawn of its progress: as I thought at first.
the last supper painting
picture of the last supper
picture of the last supper
She rang the bell till it broke with a twang; I entered leisurely. It was enough to try the temper of a saint, such senseless, wicked rages! There she lay dashing her head against the arm of the sofa, and grinding her teeth, so that you might fancy she would crash them to splinters! Mr Linton stood looking at her in sudden compunction and fear. He told me to fetch some water. She had no breath for speaking. I brought a glass full; and as she would not drink, I sprinkled it on her face. In a few seconds she stretched herself out stiff, and turned up her eyes, while her cheeks, at once blanched and livid, assumed the aspect of death. Linton looked terrified.
`There is nothing in the world the matter,' I whispered. I did not want him to yield, though I could not help being afraid in my heart.
`She has blood on her lips!' he said, shuddering.
picture of the last supper
`Never mind!' I answered tartly. And I told him how she had resolved, previous to his coming, on exhibiting a fit of frenzy. I incautiously gave the account aloud, and she heard me; for she started up--her hair flying over her shoulders, her eyes flashing, the muscles of her neck and arms standing out preternaturally. I made up my mind for broken bones, at least; but she only glared about her for an instant, and then rushed from the room. The master directed me to follow; I did, to her chamber door: she hindered me from going farther by securing it against me.
picture of the last supper
She rang the bell till it broke with a twang; I entered leisurely. It was enough to try the temper of a saint, such senseless, wicked rages! There she lay dashing her head against the arm of the sofa, and grinding her teeth, so that you might fancy she would crash them to splinters! Mr Linton stood looking at her in sudden compunction and fear. He told me to fetch some water. She had no breath for speaking. I brought a glass full; and as she would not drink, I sprinkled it on her face. In a few seconds she stretched herself out stiff, and turned up her eyes, while her cheeks, at once blanched and livid, assumed the aspect of death. Linton looked terrified.
`There is nothing in the world the matter,' I whispered. I did not want him to yield, though I could not help being afraid in my heart.
`She has blood on her lips!' he said, shuddering.
picture of the last supper
`Never mind!' I answered tartly. And I told him how she had resolved, previous to his coming, on exhibiting a fit of frenzy. I incautiously gave the account aloud, and she heard me; for she started up--her hair flying over her shoulders, her eyes flashing, the muscles of her neck and arms standing out preternaturally. I made up my mind for broken bones, at least; but she only glared about her for an instant, and then rushed from the room. The master directed me to follow; I did, to her chamber door: she hindered me from going farther by securing it against me.
picture of the last supper
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