The World Well Lost

"Men are but children of a larger growth."

-- "All for Love or The World Well Lost: A Tragedy" by John Dryden (1631-1700)

And aged, too, men are but aged children and aware of their dying - don't forget that! It makes for a more poignant picture.

Dryden takes his own shot, after Shakespeare, at the tragic romance of Antony and Cleopatra. He focuses more on the two lovers and is worth the read. I want to keep here one more quotation. It comes when Antony is dying and he and Cleopatra are exchanging their last sentiments. She tells him, "Your words are like the notes of dying swans."

~ ~ ~

"And fame to late posterity shall tell,
No lovers lived so great, or died so well."

-- J. D.

Edging the Lawn

Pop decided to take advantage of the cool, breezy day and edge the lawn. It has been a few days since I mowed, so I was ready to make my big move and offer to learn how to do the edging myself. "I think it's about time for us to make the transition, for me to take over this chore." I did not have to plead and twist his arm. I can be pretty persuasive when he wants me to be.

I thought it was going to be an easy piece of work, since he reserved it for himself all these years unto his now pressing old age in his seventies. That was bullshit. It's not a breezy stroll through the park. I was always a bit limp-wristed, one of those unmasculine things about me, but, man, this edging business really shredded my arms. I am having trouble this evening holding my book up as I read it, and we're talking about that slim paperback, the screenplay for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". In any case, we thus opened up another chapter in my life. I seem to be putting myself in a tough spot: taking on more work when I have only been getting much lazier these later years. No doubt it's good for me, though. Although it would seem to be a little late in life to develop some muscles, maybe it might still strengthen me a bit, but with my luck, watch me just get a case of carpel tunnel syndrome. No good deed goes unpunished.