Friday Poetry Blogging - Take a lesson from Big-nose edition
The first ‘great literature’ I read - or, to be precise, devoured, since I’m sure I was forced to sit through something in Junior High - was an old volume of Cyrano de Bergerac I bought at Powell’s Books for $3.50, back when you could still find a below-market bargain at Powell’s. Stupid internet, stupid bookfinder.com.
I always loved this speech, and I read it again just last night. It seems to carry new weight every time I read it.
From Cyrano de Bergerac - Rostand, transl. Hooker
I carry my adornments on my soul,
I do not dress up like a popinjay;
But inwardly, I keep my daintiness.
I do not bear with me, by any chance,
An insult not yet washed away — a conscience
Yellow with unpurged bile — an honor frayed
To rags, a set of scruples badly worn.
I go caparisoned in gems unseen,
Trailing white plumes of freedom, garlanded
With my good name — no figure of a man,
But a soul clothed in shining armor, hung
With deeds for decorations, twirling — thus —
A bristling wit, and swinging at my side
Courage, and on the stones of this old town
Making the sharp truth ring, like golden spurs!
This is a test.
Comment by Auguste — February 4, 2006 @ 1:18 am