You know: in a foolish, undiscriminating way, I've been happy these last few months. I don't know why. I just am. I love my friends; I love my pupils; I love what I read; I -- dammit -- love my thoughts. I love the taste of oranges.
Thornton Wilder in a letter to Gertrude Stein, Aug 14, 1936

Sunday, June 27, 2010

ITALICS MINE (3)



Now everything as far as the eye can see is covered in water. Every hill is hidden beneath the sea, and everywhere the depth is enormous. Only on the highest mountain ridges are there shallows. People have fled to the tallest peaks with their children and wives, driving their flocks before them. Communication and travel is cut off between these wretched people, for all the lower-lying land is filled with water. The remnants of the human race were clinging to all the highest points. In their extremity, their only source of comfort was that fear had turned to bewilderment. In their dumbstruck state they had no time to be afraid; there was not even any opportunity for grief, since it loses its hold over someone who is too wretched to be aware of suffering.

Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Natural Questions, Book III (27.11-12)

2 comments:

  1. methinks a reference to Pompeii? if so, it was quite the tourist trap...though now worse with the places roped off. then one could walk freely. same as stonehenge. Gareth of Speaking Tree got us a private tour after hours. just finished listening to book on tape of travels of Herodotus. fascinating. phil

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  2. I was on one of Gareth's Stonhenge trips. Druids from Glastonbury made us all hold hands.

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