Category Archives: literature

Circe and the Cyclops: In the Land of the Lotus-Eaters (Homer)

I was borne along by rough deadly winds On the fish infested sea. Then on the tenth Our squadron reached the land of the Lotus-eaters, People who eat the lotus, mellow fruit and flower. We disembarked on the coast, drew water there And crewman snatched a meal by the swift ships. Once we had ourContinue reading “Circe and the Cyclops: In the Land of the Lotus-Eaters (Homer)”

RKS French Literature: Louis XI and His Manipulative Physician (Victor Hugo)

While feeling the king’s pulse Coictier assumed a look of greater and greater alarm. Louis XI watched him some anxiety. Coictier grew visibly more gloomy. The king’s bad health was the worthy man’s only farm. He made the most of it. Victor Hugo, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”

RKS British Literature: Who Shall Robin Hood and His Merry Men Beat, Bind and Set Free? (Henry Gilbert)

First, I will have you hurt no woman, nor any company in which a woman is found. I remember the sweet Virgin, and will ever pray for her favour and protection, and I will, therefore, that you shield all women. Look to it, also, that ye do not any harm to any honest peasant whoContinue reading “RKS British Literature: Who Shall Robin Hood and His Merry Men Beat, Bind and Set Free? (Henry Gilbert)”

RKS French Literature: The Hellish Passion of the Archdeacon for Esmeralda (Victor Hugo)

And, as he thus sifted his soul to the bottom, when he perceived how large a space Nature had prepared there for the passions, he sneered more bitterly still. He stirred up in the depths of his heart all his hatred, all his malevolence, and he discovered with the cool eye of physician examining aContinue reading “RKS French Literature: The Hellish Passion of the Archdeacon for Esmeralda (Victor Hugo)”

RKS French Literature: Parisians Accustomed to Public Torture and Hangings (Victor Hugo)

There was then no Gazette des Tribunaux; and as hardly a week passed in which there was not some counterfeiter to boil, some witch to hang, or some heretic to burn, at some of the numberless justices of Paris. People were so much accustomed to see at every crossway the ancient feudal Themis, bare armed,Continue reading “RKS French Literature: Parisians Accustomed to Public Torture and Hangings (Victor Hugo)”

RKS French Literature: Hanging Justice (Victor Hugo)

Justice in those days cared little about clearness and precision in the proceedings against a criminal. Provided only that the accused was hung, that was all that was necessary. Victor Hugo, “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”

RKS Poetry Anthology (All We Get Are The Coffee Grinds): CLEARING A PEE PATH

CLEARING A PEE PATH No, I am not mistakenly referring to the rock n roll song “Shaking All Over” But after 60 cms of snow with drifts to enormous I have to wade waist deep out my front door It is shovel MORE MORE Poor doggie Dylan’s back door and occasional pee path is blockedContinue reading “RKS Poetry Anthology (All We Get Are The Coffee Grinds): CLEARING A PEE PATH”

“Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: TIME TO SAY AU REVOIR AND ASK WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

TIME TO SAY AU REVOIR AND ASK WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Bob and Fay are just a bit worried about me after a few weeks back in Toronto thinking I am moping about and lacking enthusiasm for the activities and interests I had before my abduction. Let’s face it with the excitement andContinue reading ““Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: TIME TO SAY AU REVOIR AND ASK WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?”

“Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: WHO EXACTLY IS RAFFLES?

WHO EXACTLY IS RAFFLES? We adopted Raffles, a West Highland Terrier…I think. He may be a mixie but he is mostly Westie in look and attitude. I first met him in Singapore at the Singapore Westie of the Year contest. He should have won that contest, but Bobby Fong Jr. had given me a “competitiveContinue reading ““Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: WHO EXACTLY IS RAFFLES?”

RKS French Literature: The Archdeacon Reveals His Mad Passion for Esmeralda the Beautiful Gypsy (Victor Hugo)

Oh! to love a woman – to be a priest – to be hated – to love her with all the fury of your soul – to feel that you would give for the least of her smiles your blood, your vitals, your reputation, your salvation, immortality and eternity and the other – to regretContinue reading “RKS French Literature: The Archdeacon Reveals His Mad Passion for Esmeralda the Beautiful Gypsy (Victor Hugo)”