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Abundance doesn't know contentment, but contentment is abundance.

Turkish proverbs
Added by Lucian Velea
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Life Of Contentment

To suit and to pursue in seconds...
A life of contentment.
And one you can depend,
A life of contentment.
To put an end to affixed evils,
A life of contentment.
With satisfactions that begin,
A life of contentment.

To have it there and with decision,
Is...
A life of Contentment./
With a rule that is so crucial,
A life of contentment.
And desired as a need...
A life of contentment.
To always have and never leave.

To suit and to pursue in seconds...
A life of contentment.
And one you can depend,
A life of contentment.
To put an end to affixed evils,
A life of contentment.
With satisfactions that begin,
A life of contentment.

To have it there and with decision,
Is...
A life of Contentment./
With a rule that is so crucial,
A life of contentment.
And desired as a need...
A life of contentment.
To always have and never leave.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Added by Poetry Lover
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Too Satisfied Just To Nibble

Strange are those days,
I see changing.
Strange,
Are those appetites.

Some people love to nibble on life.
Not to eat it up,
But to spit out pieces of it they don't like!

Strange are those days,
I see changing.
Strange,
Are those appetites.

So much abundance is out there,
But they see limits.
Abundance is out there,
But they choose limits!
And bondage,
To capitalize on those inhibitions.

Some people love to nibble on life.
Not to eat it up,
But to spit out pieces of it they don't like!

Strange are those days,
I see changing.
Strange,
Are those appetites.

So much abundance is out there,
But they see limits.
So much abundance is out there,
But they see limits.
So much abundance is out there,
But some.
Are too satisfied just to nibble.

Strange are those days,
I see changing.
Strange,
Are those appetites.

So much abundance is out there,
But they see limits.
So much abundance is out there,
But they see limits.
So much abundance is out there,
But some.
Are too satisfied just to nibble.

[...] Read more

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Added by Poetry Lover
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I Know Their Name

I know their name. I saw their picture in the paper yesterday
I know their name. I saw the story that was written on the page
I know their name. I used to play with them they lived a block away
I know their name. Their father used to drive a light blue chevrolet
I know their name. I used to play with them I swear I know their name.
I know their name. I used to play with them I swear I know their
I know their name. I know their name. I know their name.
I know their name.
I know their name. I saw their picture in the paper yesterday
I know their name. I saw the story that was written on the page
I know their name. They had a dog that used to answer to Barney
I know their name. I used to play with them they lived a block away
I know their name. I used to play with them I swear I know their name.
I know their name. I used to play with them I swear I know their
I know their name. I know their name. I know their name.
I know their name.
(La guitar)
I know their name. I used to play with them I swear I know their name.
I know their name. I used to play with them I swear I know their
I know their name. I know their name. I know their name.
I know their name.
I say. I know. I know
I know their name. I know. I know
I know their name. I know. I know
I know their name. I know. I know (their name)
I say:
I I I I I I I know their name. I know. I know. I know their name.
I I I I I I I know their name. I know. I know. I know their name.
I say. I know. I know
I know their name. I know. I know
I know their name. I know. I know
I know their name. I know. I know (their name)
I know their name.
I know their name.
I know their name

song performed by Men Without Hats
Added by Lucian Velea
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6 Minutes Of Pleasure

Six minutes, six minutes
Six minutes, six minutes
(Sample)
I know why you're here
I ain't sayin nothin
(LL Cool J)
Aiyyo baby I know why you're here
I know what you're doing
I can see it in your eyes you're up to somethin
I know what it is, but we're still cool
And we can socialize, I'm peepin ya baby
I'm holdin back I'm not lettin go
Cause a fool doesn't have a shoulder to cry on
So, give me a kiss and you service
Whether you like a mister or a miss
(Chorus sample in the background)
(LL Cool J)
Aiyyo baby I know you don't love me
I know why you're here
But I ain't sayin nothin
Aiyyo baby I know you don't love me
I know why you're here
But I ain't sayin nothin
Aiyyo baby I know you don't love me
I know why you're here
But I ain't sayin nothin
Aiyyo baby I know you don't love me
I know why you're here
But I ain't sayin nothin
(LL Cool J)
Baby you're my dear I know why you're here
I know why you came I know what you're thinkin
I know what you need and that's what I've got
You think I'm goin crazy no I'm not drinking
I know what you want, I made ya want it
Take my hand listen to the man
You have a plan don't even risk it
What do you want a biscuit?
(Chorus sample in the background)
(LL Cool J)
Aiyyo baby I know you don't love me
I know why you're here
But I ain't sayin nothin
Aiyyo baby I know you don't love me
I know why you're here
But I ain't sayin nothin
Aiyyo baby I know you don't love me
I know why you're here
But I ain't sayin nothin
Aiyyo baby I know you don't love me

[...] Read more

song performed by LL Cool J
Added by Lucian Velea
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You Know My Name

You know my name
Look up the number
You know my name
Look up the number
You you know you know my name
You you know you know my name
Good evening and welcome to slaggers
Featuring denis o'bell
Come on ringo, let's hear it for denis
Good evening
You know my name
Better look up the number
You know my name
(that's right) look up the number
You you know you know my name
You you know you know my name
You know my name
Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba
Look up my number
You know my name
That's right look up the number
Oh you know you know
You know my name you know you know you know my name.
Huh huh huh huh
You know my name
Ba ba ba pum
Look up the number
You know my name
Look up the number
You-a you know you know my name
Baby you-a you know you know my name
You know my name you know you know you know my name
Go on denis, let's hear it for denis o'bell
You know my name you know you know you know you know you know my name
Prrr you know my name and the number
You know my name and the number you know you know my name
Look up me number
You know my number three you know my number two
You know my number three you know my number four
You know my name you know number too
You know my name you know my number
What's up with you?
You know my name
That's right
Yeah.

song performed by Beatles
Added by Lucian Velea
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The Eternal Kansas City

Chorus (choir singing)
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city? )
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city? )
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city? )
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city? )
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city? (do you know the way to kansas city)?
(van singing)
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Train down to st. louis
Get me there alright
Over to the city there, you know that one
Where the farmers daughter digs the farmers son
Dig your charlie parker
Basie and young
Witherspoon and jay mcshann
They will come
Oooowoooowoooo
Chorus (van and choir in background)
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Excuse me do you know the way to kansas city?
Lady liberty in waiting
You know she lights the way
Her name is billie, shes a holiday
And the city is eternal -- hey, cant you see?
Its inside of you and its inside of me
Oooowoooowoooo
Chorus (van and choir in background)
You know, you know the way to kansas city?
You know, you know the way to kansas city?
You know, you know the way to kansas city?
You know, you know the way to kansas city ?
You know...the way to kansas city
You know...the way to kansas city
Wild thing
You know the way to kansas city (choir only)
Thank you man (van)
You know the way to kansas city
Sing it (van)
You know the way to kansas city (van and choir)
Hit it (van)
You know...the way to kansas city
You know...the way to kansas city

[...] Read more

song performed by Van Morrison
Added by Lucian Velea
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XI. Guido

You are the Cardinal Acciaiuoli, and you,
Abate Panciatichi—two good Tuscan names:
Acciaiuoli—ah, your ancestor it was
Built the huge battlemented convent-block
Over the little forky flashing Greve
That takes the quick turn at the foot o' the hill
Just as one first sees Florence: oh those days!
'T is Ema, though, the other rivulet,
The one-arched brown brick bridge yawns over,—yes,
Gallop and go five minutes, and you gain
The Roman Gate from where the Ema's bridged:
Kingfishers fly there: how I see the bend
O'erturreted by Certosa which he built,
That Senescal (we styled him) of your House!
I do adjure you, help me, Sirs! My blood
Comes from as far a source: ought it to end
This way, by leakage through their scaffold-planks
Into Rome's sink where her red refuse runs?
Sirs, I beseech you by blood-sympathy,
If there be any vile experiment
In the air,—if this your visit simply prove,
When all's done, just a well-intentioned trick,
That tries for truth truer than truth itself,
By startling up a man, ere break of day,
To tell him he must die at sunset,—pshaw!
That man's a Franceschini; feel his pulse,
Laugh at your folly, and let's all go sleep!
You have my last word,—innocent am I
As Innocent my Pope and murderer,
Innocent as a babe, as Mary's own,
As Mary's self,—I said, say and repeat,—
And why, then, should I die twelve hours hence? I—
Whom, not twelve hours ago, the gaoler bade
Turn to my straw-truss, settle and sleep sound
That I might wake the sooner, promptlier pay
His due of meat-and-drink-indulgence, cross
His palm with fee of the good-hand, beside,
As gallants use who go at large again!
For why? All honest Rome approved my part;
Whoever owned wife, sister, daughter,—nay,
Mistress,—had any shadow of any right
That looks like right, and, all the more resolved,
Held it with tooth and nail,—these manly men
Approved! I being for Rome, Rome was for me.
Then, there's the point reserved, the subterfuge
My lawyers held by, kept for last resource,
Firm should all else,—the impossible fancy!—fail,
And sneaking burgess-spirit win the day.
The knaves! One plea at least would hold,—they laughed,—
One grappling-iron scratch the bottom-rock

[...] Read more

poem by Robert Browning from The Ring and the Book
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
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VII. Pompilia

I am just seventeen years and five months old,
And, if I lived one day more, three full weeks;
'T is writ so in the church's register,
Lorenzo in Lucina, all my names
At length, so many names for one poor child,
—Francesca Camilla Vittoria Angela
Pompilia Comparini,—laughable!
Also 't is writ that I was married there
Four years ago: and they will add, I hope,
When they insert my death, a word or two,—
Omitting all about the mode of death,—
This, in its place, this which one cares to know,
That I had been a mother of a son
Exactly two weeks. It will be through grace
O' the Curate, not through any claim I have;
Because the boy was born at, so baptized
Close to, the Villa, in the proper church:
A pretty church, I say no word against,
Yet stranger-like,—while this Lorenzo seems
My own particular place, I always say.
I used to wonder, when I stood scarce high
As the bed here, what the marble lion meant,
With half his body rushing from the wall,
Eating the figure of a prostrate man—
(To the right, it is, of entry by the door)
An ominous sign to one baptized like me,
Married, and to be buried there, I hope.
And they should add, to have my life complete,
He is a boy and Gaetan by name—
Gaetano, for a reason,—if the friar
Don Celestine will ask this grace for me
Of Curate Ottoboni: he it was
Baptized me: he remembers my whole life
As I do his grey hair.

All these few things
I know are true,—will you remember them?
Because time flies. The surgeon cared for me,
To count my wounds,—twenty-two dagger-wounds,
Five deadly, but I do not suffer much—
Or too much pain,—and am to die to-night.

Oh how good God is that my babe was born,
—Better than born, baptized and hid away
Before this happened, safe from being hurt!
That had been sin God could not well forgive:
He was too young to smile and save himself.
When they took two days after he was born,
My babe away from me to be baptized
And hidden awhile, for fear his foe should find,—

[...] Read more

poem by Robert Browning from The Ring and the Book
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
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You And I Know

They ask why do we live love die do we
Take a chance maybe ask a dance do we
Risk the pain never quite regain never
Oh we bleed the dark never miss the mark never

Well you and I know I know you and I know you and I know
You and I know I know you and I know you and I know
You and I know I know you and I know you and I know

They don't know of the place we go lover
All the blues are green nothing in between lover
And when the darkness falls through the fine glass walls lover
Oh it makes the sound of the outward bound lover

But you and I know I know you and I know you and I know
You and I know I know you and I know you and I know
You and I know I know you and I know you and I know
Oh

Well they're looking right through me
And back into themselves
And I'm thinking that they knew me
When they laugh at someone else

Well you and I know I know you and I know you and I know
You and I know I know you and I know you and I know
You and I know I know you and I know you and I know
Oh I know you and I know you and I know
Oh I know you and I know you and I know
I know
Yes

song performed by Melissa Etheridge
Added by Lucian Velea
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You Know Where You Went Wrong

(tennant/lowe)
---------------
Two men on the street
Drinking something cheap
No home, no family
Its cold, nowhere to sleep
Passers-by never catch their eye
Anywhere, one man drinks, the other swears
You know where you went wrong
You know where you went wrong
(aaaah) you know
You know where you went wrong
You know where you went wrong
(aaaah) you know
The old man cant understand
No one will shake his hand
I gave security, bombs and colour tv
It cost a few lives
Someones son always dies
No one shakes his hand
He dont understand
You know where you went wrong
You know where you went wrong
(aaaah) you know
You know where you went wrong
You know where you went wrong
(aaaah) you know
This is the history of the world
Of every boy and every girl
Who dont understand whats going on anymore
The history of the world
Of every boy and every girl
Who dont understand whats going on anymore
(whats going on? )
Two girls have a photograph
One looks, the other laughs
He could have been mine
Why did I change my mind?
Then hands on hips
The other girl says: admit! admit!
You know where you went wrong
You know where you went wrong
(aaaah) you know
You know where you went wrong
You know where you went wrong
(aaaah) you know
This is the history of the world (of the world)
Of every boy and every girl
Who dont (who dont) understand (understand)
Whats going on anymore (whats going on? )

[...] Read more

song performed by Pet Shop Boys
Added by Lucian Velea
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Out In The Street

Out!
Out!
Out in the street
Out in the street
Im talkin bout slowly
Im talkin bout slowly
Im not gonna rest
Im not gonna rest
Woman, you dont know me
Woman, you dont know me
Yeah, you dont know me, no
Yeah, you dont know me, no
Know me, no
Know me, no
Know me, no
Know me, no
Yeah, but Im a-gonna know you
Yeah, but Im a-gonna know you
Hey listen, woman
Hey listen, woman
You just cant throw me
You just cant throw me
I wont stand it
I wont stand it
If you dont know me
If you dont know me
If you dont know me, no
If you dont know me, no
Know me, no
Know me, no
Know me, no
Know me, no
Yeah, but Im a-gonna know you
Yeah, but Im a-gonna know you
Listen to me
Listen to me
Im telling you
Im telling you
You look at me, woman
You look at me, woman
Yeah, tell the truth
Yeah, tell the truth
I know your mind
I know your mind
I can see that youre in need
I can see that youre in need
Ill show you woman
Ill show you woman
Yeah, that you belong to me
Yeah, that you belong to me

[...] Read more

song performed by Who
Added by Lucian Velea
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I Need To Know

Well the talk on the street
Says you might go solo
A good friend of mine saw you leavin by the back door
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)
If you think youre gonna leave
Then you better say so
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)
Because I dont know how long
I can hold on
And if your makin me wait
If youre leadin me on
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)
Who woulda thought
That youd fall for his line
All of a sudden its
Me on the outside
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)
If you think youre gonna leave
Then you better say so
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)
Because I dont know how long
I can hold on
And if your makin me wait
If youre leadin me on
I ne ed to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)
If you think youre gonna leave
Then you better say so
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know( I need to know)
Because I dont know how long
I can hold on
And if your makin me wait
If youre leadin me on
I need to know(I need to know)
I need to know(I need to know)

song performed by Tom Petty
Added by Lucian Velea
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Let Me Know

I get a little peck and you're after to bed
No warmth, no hug, no kind words are said
Will you dream of me or someone new instead, oh
Just love me and mean it, i'll follow you blind
Lately i feel like a heart left behind
I just can't stand still till you make up your mind
Let me know, let me know, i have a right
Before you touch me one more night
Have i won your love or have i lost the fight
Let me know, let me know, i have a right
To plan my future, get on with my life
Tell me face to face, don't try to be polite
I'll take it, i'll make it
Ooh, yes, i will
Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Listen, listen
I'm livin' each minute with all that i've got
Each breath is in pardon, each heartbeat is hot
That's the way we were way back, you forgot [he forgot, he forgot], ooh
You leave me so empty, it's makin' me sad
To know that our good thing has turned for the bad
Both of us are here, but where's the love we had
Let me know, let me know, i have a right
Before you touch me one more night
Have i won your love or have i lost the fight
Let me know, let me know, i have a right
To plan my future, get on with my life
Tell me face to face, don't try to be polite
Let me know, let me know
Let me know, let me know, i have a right
To plan my future, get on with my life
Tell me face to face, don't try to be polite
I'll take it
Heaven knows i'll make it
I get a little peck and you're after to bed
No warmth, no hug, and no kind words are said
Will you dream of me or someone new instead, listen
Just love me and mean it, i'll follow you blind
Lately i feel like a heart left behind
I just can't stand still till you make up your mind, listen
I get a little peck and you're after to bed
No warmth, no hug, no kind words are said
Will you dream of me or someone new instead, oh
Just love me and mean it, i'll follow you blind
But lately i feel like a heart left behind
I just can't stand still till you make up your mind
Let me know, let me know, i have a right
Before you touch me one more night
Have i won your love or have i lost the fight
Let me know, let me know, i have a right

[...] Read more

song performed by Gloria Gaynor
Added by Lucian Velea
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You Got Me

I get shy around you
Dont know what to say
I dont know what to do
cause you do something to me
That I cant describe baby
Always catch myself thinkin bout
The things you do
There aint no one else
I got my heart set on you
You really got me, baby its true
You know you got me
So in love
You know you got me
Daydreamin bout us
You know you got me
Starry eyed and elated
You know you got me
Whenever you want me baby
You know you got me
Hypnotized
You know you got me
With you on my mind
You know you got me
Feeling intoxicated
You know you got me
Whenever you want me baby
Boy Im entangled up in you
These feelings I just cant elude
cause youre so captivating
That I inadvertantly
Always catch myself thinkin bout
The things you do
There aint no one else
I got my heart set on you
You really got me, baby its true
You know you got me
So in love
You know you got me
Daydreamin bout us
You know you got me
Starry eyed and elated
You know you got me
Whenever you want me baby
You know you got me
Hypnotized
You know you got me
With you on my mind
You know you got me
Feeling intoxicated
You know you got me

[...] Read more

song performed by Mariah Carey
Added by Lucian Velea
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Let Me Know (I Have A Right)

I get a little peck and youre after to bed
No warmth, no hug, no kind words are said
Will you dream of me or someone new instead, oh
Just love me and mean it, Ill follow you blind
Lately I feel like a heart left behind
I just cant stand still till you make up your mind
Let me know, let me know, I have a right
Before you touch me one more night
Have I won your love or have I lost the fight
Let me know, let me know, I have a right
To plan my future, get on with my life
Tell me face to face, dont try to be polite
Ill take it, Ill make it
Ooh, yes, I will
Ooh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Listen, listen
Im livin each minute with all that Ive got
Each breath is in pardon, each heartbeat is hot
Thats the way we were way back, you forgot [he forgot, he forgot], ooh
You leave me so empty, its makin me sad
To know that our good thing has turned for the bad
Both of us are here, but wheres the love we had
Let me know, let me know, I have a right
Before you touch me one more night
Have I won your love or have I lost the fight
Let me know, let me know, I have a right
To plan my future, get on with my life
Tell me face to face, dont try to be polite
Let me know, let me know
Let me know, let me know, I have a right
To plan my future, get on with my life
Tell me face to face, dont try to be polite
Ill take it
Heaven knows Ill make it
I get a little peck and youre after to bed
No warmth, no hug, and no kind words are said
Will you dream of me or someone new instead, listen
Just love me and mean it, Ill follow you blind
Lately I feel like a heart left behind
I just cant stand still till you make up your mind, listen
I get a little peck and youre after to bed
No warmth, no hug, no kind words are said
Will you dream of me or someone new instead, oh
Just love me and mean it, Ill follow you blind
But lately I feel like a heart left behind
I just cant stand still till you make up your mind
Let me know, let me know, I have a right
Before you touch me one more night
Have I won your love or have I lost the fight
Let me know, let me know, I have a right

[...] Read more

song performed by Gloria Gaynor
Added by Lucian Velea
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You Got Me (feat. Jay Z & Freeway)

I get shy around you
Don't know what to say
I don't know what to do
'Cause you do something to me
That I can't describe baby
Always catch myself thinkin' 'bout
The things you do
There ain't no one else
I got my heart set on you
You really got me, baby it's true
You know you got me
So in love
You know you got me
Daydreamin' 'bout us
You know you got me
Starry eyed and elated
You know you got me
Whenever you want me baby
You know you got me
Hypnotized
You know you got me
With you on my mind
You know you got me
Feeling intoxicated
You know you got me
Whenever you want me baby
Boy I'm entangled up in you
These feelings I just can't elude
'Cause you're so captivating
That I inadvertantly
Always catch myself thinkin' 'bout
The things you do
There ain't no one else
I got my heart set on you
You really got me, baby it's true
You know you got me
So in love
You know you got me
Daydreamin' 'bout us
You know you got me
Starry eyed and elated
You know you got me
Whenever you want me baby
You know you got me
Hypnotized
You know you got me
With you on my mind
You know you got me
Feeling intoxicated
You know you got me

[...] Read more

song performed by Mariah Carey
Added by Lucian Velea
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Contentment

The lioness paused and sighed and stayed,
Her hothead cubs in tow,
For now, they stopped, the cubs obeyed
And they were lying low.
The sun still laboured in the sky,
The day went gently on...
They stared and watched the circle fly
So calmly as it shone.
How could they know its flames of fire?
Its furies far away?
Its spurting streams ascending higher?
Its passions night and day?
To them, the sun was like an eye
That witnessed good and bad...
And punished them and made them fry
And thirst till they went mad...
Yet mercy fell from Heaven, too...
Like raindrops and like tears...
And new days came with morning dew...
That melted all their fears...
And so, by faith, contentment flowed
As long as rivers lived...
To such as these their lives were owed
And life is no small gift...
The waters helped the trees stand tall,
Reach out and offer shade...
The lioness observed it all...
The way such things were made...
Yet only we can give God praise
For all that He has done...
Contentment comes... Contentment stays...
When wisdom's work is done...

The poem is based on the magnificent painting
by Stephen Gayford called 'Contentment'.

poem by Denis Martindale
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VI. Giuseppe Caponsacchi

Answer you, Sirs? Do I understand aright?
Have patience! In this sudden smoke from hell,—
So things disguise themselves,—I cannot see
My own hand held thus broad before my face
And know it again. Answer you? Then that means
Tell over twice what I, the first time, told
Six months ago: 't was here, I do believe,
Fronting you same three in this very room,
I stood and told you: yet now no one laughs,
Who then … nay, dear my lords, but laugh you did,
As good as laugh, what in a judge we style
Laughter—no levity, nothing indecorous, lords!
Only,—I think I apprehend the mood:
There was the blameless shrug, permissible smirk,
The pen's pretence at play with the pursed mouth,
The titter stifled in the hollow palm
Which rubbed the eyebrow and caressed the nose,
When I first told my tale: they meant, you know,
"The sly one, all this we are bound believe!
"Well, he can say no other than what he says.
"We have been young, too,—come, there's greater guilt!
"Let him but decently disembroil himself,
"Scramble from out the scrape nor move the mud,—
"We solid ones may risk a finger-stretch!
And now you sit as grave, stare as aghast
As if I were a phantom: now 't is—"Friend,
"Collect yourself!"—no laughing matter more—
"Counsel the Court in this extremity,
"Tell us again!"—tell that, for telling which,
I got the jocular piece of punishment,
Was sent to lounge a little in the place
Whence now of a sudden here you summon me
To take the intelligence from just—your lips!
You, Judge Tommati, who then tittered most,—
That she I helped eight months since to escape
Her husband, was retaken by the same,
Three days ago, if I have seized your sense,—
(I being disallowed to interfere,
Meddle or make in a matter none of mine,
For you and law were guardians quite enough
O' the innocent, without a pert priest's help)—
And that he has butchered her accordingly,
As she foretold and as myself believed,—
And, so foretelling and believing so,
We were punished, both of us, the merry way:
Therefore, tell once again the tale! For what?
Pompilia is only dying while I speak!
Why does the mirth hang fire and miss the smile?
My masters, there's an old book, you should con
For strange adventures, applicable yet,

[...] Read more

poem by Robert Browning from The Ring and the Book
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
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The House of Fortune III

My wearied heart bade me farewell and left for the House of Fortune. As he reached that holy city which the soul had blessed and worshipped, he commenced wondering, for he could not find what he had always imagined would be there. The city was empty of power, money, and authority.

And my heart spoke to the daughter of Love saying, "Oh Love, where can I find Contentment? I heard that she had come here to join you."

And the daughter of Love responded, "Contentment has already gone to preach her gospel in the city, where greed and corruption are paramount; we are not in need of her."

Fortune craves not Contentment, for it is an earthly hope, and its desires are embraced by union with objects, while Contentment is naught but heartfelt.

The eternal soul is never contented; it ever seeks exaltation. Then my heart looked upon Life of Beauty and said: "Thou art all knowledge; enlighten me as to the mystery of Woman." And he answered, "Oh human heart, woman is your own reflection, and whatever you are, she is; wherever you live, she lives; she is like religion if not interpreted by the ignorant, and like a moon, if not veiled with clouds, and like a breeze, if not poisoned with impurities."

And my heart walked toward Knowledge, the daughter of Love and Beauty, and said, "Bestow upon me wisdom, that I might share it with the people." And she responded, "Say not wisdom, but rather fortune, for real fortune comes not from outside, but begins in the Holy of Holies of life. Share of thyself with the people."

poem by Khalil Gibran
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Lancelot And Elaine

Elaine the fair, Elaine the loveable,
Elaine, the lily maid of Astolat,
High in her chamber up a tower to the east
Guarded the sacred shield of Lancelot;
Which first she placed where the morning's earliest ray
Might strike it, and awake her with the gleam;
Then fearing rust or soilure fashioned for it
A case of silk, and braided thereupon
All the devices blazoned on the shield
In their own tinct, and added, of her wit,
A border fantasy of branch and flower,
And yellow-throated nestling in the nest.
Nor rested thus content, but day by day,
Leaving her household and good father, climbed
That eastern tower, and entering barred her door,
Stript off the case, and read the naked shield,
Now guessed a hidden meaning in his arms,
Now made a pretty history to herself
Of every dint a sword had beaten in it,
And every scratch a lance had made upon it,
Conjecturing when and where: this cut is fresh;
That ten years back; this dealt him at Caerlyle;
That at Caerleon; this at Camelot:
And ah God's mercy, what a stroke was there!
And here a thrust that might have killed, but God
Broke the strong lance, and rolled his enemy down,
And saved him: so she lived in fantasy.

How came the lily maid by that good shield
Of Lancelot, she that knew not even his name?
He left it with her, when he rode to tilt
For the great diamond in the diamond jousts,
Which Arthur had ordained, and by that name
Had named them, since a diamond was the prize.

For Arthur, long before they crowned him King,
Roving the trackless realms of Lyonnesse,
Had found a glen, gray boulder and black tarn.
A horror lived about the tarn, and clave
Like its own mists to all the mountain side:
For here two brothers, one a king, had met
And fought together; but their names were lost;
And each had slain his brother at a blow;
And down they fell and made the glen abhorred:
And there they lay till all their bones were bleached,
And lichened into colour with the crags:
And he, that once was king, had on a crown
Of diamonds, one in front, and four aside.
And Arthur came, and labouring up the pass,
All in a misty moonshine, unawares

[...] Read more

poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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