Monday, June 30, 2014

Fifty Slaughtered in the Gloomy Vale

The Illiad
by Homer
This is the Alexander Pope translation.


We are journeying through Book 4. Previously

The tyrant feasting with his chiefs he found,
And dared to combat all those chiefs around:
Dared, and subdued before their haughty lord;
For Pallas strung his arm and edged his sword.
Stung with the shame, within the winding way,
To bar his passage fifty warriors lay;
Two heroes led the secret squadron on,
Mason the fierce, and hardy Lycophon;
Those fifty slaughter'd in the gloomy vale.
He spared but one to bear the dreadful tale,
Such Tydeus was, and such his martial fire;
Gods! how the son degenerates from the sire!"

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Tie Her and Torture Her

Thousand and One Nights


Today's excerpt is from The Second Calendar's Story. Previously

I paid no heed to her words, but kicked the alcove with all my might, and immediately the place grew dark, it thundered and lightened, the earth trembled and the world was wrapped in gloom. When I saw this, the fumes of the wine left my head and I said to the lady, "What is the matter?" "The Afrit is upon us," answered she "Did I not warn thee of this! By Allah, thou hast ruined me! But fly for thy life and return whence thou camest."

Thursday, June 26, 2014

The Wizard Scares Away the Cowardly Lion

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum


Today's selection from Chapter 11. The Wonderful City of Oz. Previously

"Help Dorothy to kill the Wicked Witch of the West," replied the Beast. "When the Witch is dead, come to me, and I will then give you the biggest and kindest and most loving heart in all the Land of Oz."

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The Happiest Part of French Railroad Management

Innocents Abroad
by Mark Twain


You're reading from chapter 12. Previously

The cars are built in compartments that hold eight persons each. Each compartment is partially subdivided, and so there are two tolerably distinct parties of four in it. Four face the other four. The seats and backs are thickly padded and cushioned and are very comfortable; you can smoke if you wish; there are no bothersome peddlers; you are saved the infliction of a multitude of disagreeable fellow passengers. So far, so well. But then the conductor locks you in when the train starts; there is no water to drink in the car; there is no heating apparatus for night travel; if a drunken rowdy should get in, you could not remove a matter of twenty seats from him or enter another car; but above all, if you are worn out and must sleep, you must sit up and do it in naps, with cramped legs and in a torturing misery that leaves you withered and lifeless the next day--for behold they have not that culmination of all charity and human kindness, a sleeping car, in all France. I prefer the American system. It has not so many grievous "discrepancies."

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Richelieu, the Despotic Minister

The Three Musketeers
by Alexandre Dumas


Today's excerpt is from Chapter 43. Previously

Te Deums were chanted in camp, and afterward throughout France.

The cardinal was left free to carry on the siege, without having, at least at the present, anything to fear on the part of the English.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Ulysses Stands Next to the Athenian Phalanx

The Illiad
by Homer
This is the Alexander Pope translation.


We are journeying through Book 4. Previously

He said. With joy the monarch march'd before,
And found Menestheus on the dusty shore,
With whom the firm Athenian phalanx stands;
And next Ulysses, with his subject bands.
Remote their forces lay, nor knew so far
The peace infringed, nor heard the sounds of war;
The tumult late begun, they stood intent
To watch the motion, dubious of the event.
The king, who saw their squadrons yet unmoved,
With hasty ardour thus the chiefs reproved:

Sunday, June 22, 2014

She’s a Princess from Farther India

Thousand and One Nights


Today's excerpt is from The Second Calendar's Story. Previously

I am the daughter of a King of Farther India, by name Efitamous, Lord of the Ebony Islands, who married me to my cousin, but on my wedding-night an Afrit called Jerjis ben Rejmous, the mother's sister's son of Iblis, carried me off and flying away with me, set me down in this place whither he transported all that I needed of clothes and ornaments and furniture and meat and drink and so forth.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

The Tin Man Meets the Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum


Today's selection from Chapter 11. The Wonderful City of Oz. Previously

"I thought you asked Dorothy to kill the Witch," said the Scarecrow, in surprise.

"So I did. I don't care who kills her. But until she is dead I will not grant your wish. Now go, and do not seek me again until you have earned the brains you so greatly desire."

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Through the Old West by Stagecoach

Innocents Abroad
by Mark Twain


You're reading from chapter 12. Previously

Once I crossed the plains and deserts and mountains of the West in a stagecoach, from the Missouri line to California, and since then all my pleasure trips must be measured to that rare holiday frolic. Two thousand miles of ceaseless rush and rattle and clatter, by night and by day, and never a weary moment, never a lapse of interest!

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Victory at Rochelle

The Three Musketeers
by Alexandre Dumas


Today's excerpt is from Chapter 43. Previously

Meanwhile the king, who, with more reason than the cardinal, showed his hatred for Buckingham, although scarcely arrived was in such a haste to meet the enemy that he commanded every disposition to be made to drive the English from the Isle of Re, and afterward to press the siege of La Rochelle; but notwithstanding his earnest wish, he was delayed by the dissensions which broke out between MM. Bassompierre and Schomberg, against the Duc d'Angouleme.

Monday, June 16, 2014

O Heroes!

The Illiad
by Homer
This is the Alexander Pope translation.


We are journeying through Book 4. Previously

"O heroes! worthy such a dauntless train,
Whose godlike virtue we but urge in vain,
(Exclaim'd the king), who raise your eager bands
With great examples, more than loud commands.
Ah! would the gods but breathe in all the rest
Such souls as burn in your exalted breast,
Soon should our arms with just success be crown'd,
And Troy's proud walls lie smoking on the ground."

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Calendar Finds the Damsel Beneath the Tree

Thousand and One Nights


Today's excerpt is from The Second Calendar's Story. Previously

Then he bought me an axe and a cord and gave me in charge to certain woodcutters; with whom I went out into the desert and cut wood all day and carried home a load on my head. I sold it for half a dinar, with part of which I bought victual and laid up the rest.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

You Must Kill the Wicked Witch

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum


Today's selection from Chapter 11. The Wonderful City of Oz. Previously

"I never killed anything, willingly," she sobbed. "Even if I wanted to, how could I kill the Wicked Witch? If you, who are Great and Terrible, cannot kill her yourself, how do you expect me to do it?"

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

The Beautiful Countryside of Southern France

Innocents Abroad
by Mark Twain


You're reading from chapter 12. Previously

We have come five hundred miles by rail through the heart of France. What a bewitching land it is! What a garden! Surely the leagues of bright green lawns are swept and brushed and watered every day and their grasses trimmed by the barber. Surely the hedges are shaped and measured and their symmetry preserved by the most architectural of gardeners. Surely the long straight rows of stately poplars that divide the beautiful landscape like the squares of a checker-board are set with line and plummet, and their uniform height determined with a spirit level. Surely the straight, smooth, pure white turnpikes are jack-planed and sandpapered every day. How else are these marvels of symmetry, cleanliness, and order attained?

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

He’d Forgotten Aramis Was in Love

The Three Musketeers
by Alexandre Dumas


Today's excerpt is from Chapter 42. Previously

"Madame Bonacieux! Ah, that's true!" said Athos. "My poor friend, I had forgotten you were in love."

"Well, but," said Aramis, "have you not learned by the letter you found on the wretched corpse that she is in a convent? One may be very comfortable in a convent; and as soon as the siege of La Rochelle is terminated, I promise you on my part--"

"Good," cried Athos, "good! Yes, my dear Aramis, we all

know that your views have a religious tendency." "I am only temporarily a Musketeer," said Aramis, humbly.

"It is some time since we heard from his mistress," said Athos, in a low voice. "But take no notice; we know all about that."

"Well," said Porthos, "it appears to me that the means are very simple."

"What?" asked d'Artagnan.

"You say she is in a convent?" replied Porthos.

"Yes."

"Very well. As soon as the siege is over, we'll carry her off from that convent."

"But we must first learn what convent she is in."

"That's true," said Porthos.

"But I think I have it," said Athos. "Don't you say, dear d'Artagnan, that it is the queen who has made choice of the convent for her?"

"I believe so, at least."

"In that case Porthos will assist us."

"And how so, if you please?"

"Why, by your marchioness, your duchess, your princess. She must have a long arm."

"Hush!" said Porthos, placing a finger on his lips. "I believe her to be a cardinalist; she must know nothing of the matter."

"Then," said Aramis, "I take upon myself to obtain intelligence of her."

"You, Aramis?" cried the three friends. "You! And how?"

"By the queen's almoner, to whom I am very intimately allied," said Aramis, coloring.

And on this assurance, the four friends, who had finished their modest repast, separated, with the promise of meeting again that evening. D'Artagnan returned to less important affairs, and the three Musketeers repaired to the king's quarters, where they had to prepare their lodging.

End of Chapter 42




Continued next week. Tomorrow's installment from Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain.

More About This Book


This French novel, written in 1844 has been the subject of numerous movies. The 2004 Disney poster advertises the latest.

More information here:
About Dumas, and the storyMore of this Series

Monday, June 9, 2014

The Embattled Squadrons Stood

The Illiad
by Homer
This is the Alexander Pope translation.


We are journeying through Book 4. Previously

Thus with new ardour he the brave inspires;
Or thus the fearful with reproaches fires:
"Shame to your country, scandal of your kind;
Born to the fate ye well deserve to find!
Why stand ye gazing round the dreadful plain,
Prepared for flight, but doom'd to fly in vain?
Confused and panting thus, the hunted deer
Falls as he flies, a victim to his fear.
Still must ye wait the foes, and still retire,
Till yon tall vessels blaze with Trojan fire?
Or trust ye, Jove a valiant foe shall chase,
To save a trembling, heartless, dastard race?"

Sunday, June 8, 2014

They Drove at Us with Level Spears

Thousand and One Nights


Today's excerpt is from The Second Calendar's Story. Previously

After awhile it lifted and discovered fifty steel-clad horsemen, as they were fierce lions, whom we soon found to be Arab highwaymen. When they saw that we were but a small company and had with us ten laden camels, they drove at us with leveled spears.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Dorothy Meets the Wizard of Oz

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
by L. Frank Baum


Today's selection from Chapter 11. The Wonderful City of Oz. Previously

It was not such an awful voice as she had expected to come from the big Head; so she took courage and answered:

"I am Dorothy, the Small and Meek. I have come to you for help."

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

The Terrible Prison Cells

Innocents Abroad
by Mark Twain


You're reading from chapter 11. Previously

One prisoner of fifteen years had scratched verses upon his walls, and brief prose sentences--brief, but full of pathos. These spoke not of himself and his hard estate, but only of the shrine where his spirit fled the prison to worship--of home and the idols that were templed there. He never lived to see them.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Is It Really Her?

The Three Musketeers
by Alexandre Dumas


Today's excerpt is from Chapter 42. Previously

Athos shook his head.

"Yes, yes," replied he, "I perceive that plainly; but do you really believe it is she?"

"I am sure of it."

"Nevertheless, I confess I still doubt."

"But the fleur-de-lis on her shoulder?"

"She is some Englishwoman who has committed a crime in France, and has been branded in consequence."

Monday, June 2, 2014

Jove Is With Greece

The Illiad
by Homer
This is the Alexander Pope translation.


We are journeying through Book 4. Previously

He said: a leader's and a brother's fears
Possess his soul, which thus the Spartan cheers:
"Let not thy words the warmth of Greece abate;
The feeble dart is guiltless of my fate:
Stiff with the rich embroider'd work around,
My varied belt repell'd the flying wound."

Sunday, June 1, 2014

The Calendar Is a King, Son of a King

Thousand and One Nights


Today's excerpt ends The First Calendar's Story and begins The Second Calendar's Story.. Previously

Wherefore trouble was sore upon me and I bethought me of all that had befallen me and my father and uncle and knew not what to do, for if I showed myself, the people of the city and my father's troops would know me and hasten to win the usurpers favour by putting me to death; and I could find no means of escape but by shaving my face.