#we should all be wilding out at the majestic

[flagbridge]

Q&A: The Phantom Broadway Proshot

Happy 36th Birthday to Phantom of the Opera's opening night on Broadway! We should be celebrating at the Majestic. The show never should have closed.

In order to create "new" ish POTO Broadway content, @or-what-you-will and I promised to answer your questions about the proshot on POTO Broadway's birthday. Find our summary of the Proshot here.

We got dozens of questions, which we've consolidated into 14 questions. Read them all past the cut!

Wait, what’s the Phantom Proshot?

The Phantom Proshot is an archival copy of the original Broadway cast and production of Phantom of the Opera, filmed at the evening performance with a live audience on May 25, 1988. The New York Public Library, Theatre on Film and Tape Archive at the Performing Arts Library at Lincoln Center has archival copies of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Regional theater going back to 1970. You can’t view currently running shows, so since Phantom ran for so long, it was under lock and key.

2. How do I see the Pro-Shot? 

Pretty simple how to guide here on the NYPL website. 

We are both NYPL cardholders and made a reservation in advance. You are required to state why you are accessing the recording as they exist for archival and research purpose. Both of us are published authors and researchers under our real names. 

Here's a picture of the room we were in from NYPL's website. We had an appointment and were set up in a room with lots of monitors. We were seated at monitors next to each other with two sets of headphones and had one set of controls to pause/rewind etc. There are 20 monitors in the room and it was pretty full that day. This was not my first time at the TOFT and it’s always had a good number of people around. 

3. Can someone get a boot of it/send me the link to it? Pleeeeease? 

No. Seriously, stop asking about this. Stop joking about this. It’s not online, and never will be. All of the recordings are on digital media (videodiscs or DvDs) in the basement and only library staff get to touch them. Don’t be the person who tried to do this and ruins the archive for everyone else. You can’t even bring electronic devices into the room.

4. Why won’t they release it to the public? And who the heck does it benefit to keep this locked away?

It isn’t. It was locked away when the show was actually running. It is available to the public. We are the public! We have library cards and went to a public library and watched it for $0! It’s owned by the library so the public can see it! At the library! 

The availability of us to access it now that the show has closed is what constitutes public release. There were several other phans, members of the public there to see it after us, and the library allowed them to max out the number of monitors the library allows people to view on. They had a later appointment and were watching disc one when we were on disc two. I’m sure there was someone after them too. Were we all wearing Phantom gear? Also yes. 

(@or-what-you-will here) The library is not allowed to show recordings of anything currently running on Broadway, presumably because of fears about economic loss from those who own the rights to the musicals. The library does not own the rights to the musicals in the archive, and there are likely a lot of stipulations the library has to follow to be able to have recordings like this. 

As someone who works in a library doing digitization work, libraries and the media they contain are very complicated. TOFT likely has the rights to show it under a very limited license, and to make copies for preservation purposes only, but things like this mean they would not be able to do anything like put it online or charge for it or do anything that would be them acting as though they owned the copyright (as opposed to the physical media). This is why when a library or archive has a book or tapes they don’t usually have the right to photocopy the entire book or digitize the entire tape and put it online (unless it is in public domain), however, if you go in person you can see it all you want. Someone else (usually the creator) owns the right to distribute or copy, and libraries and archives can get in a lot of trouble for violating it. 

The copyright is still owned by the holders of each respective musical’s copyright. It’s essentially like when you buy a DVD and you are technically not supposed to copy that DVD but you can invite your friends over to watch it at your house. Copying it and distributing it violates copyright. Putting it online violates copyright. If the library violated copyright it would likely lose the ability to archive musicals altogether. If you copied the DVD it would be a lot harder to find out who put it up because the DVD is owned by lots of people, though you could still be prosecuted by the law. If the library did, they would know immediately who did it because they are presumably the only ones with a copy of this recording. 

Likewise if someone took a bootleg recording of a show and distributed it, the copyright holders wouldn’t know it existed. If they found out that individual would then be eligible to be prosecuted under the law. Because the library is a public institution, if they were found out to be doing this, it would be the library itself that would get in trouble and it would damage their reputation, their funding, and quite possibly the funding and reputation of libraries around the world. A lot of this is done on trust. The copyright holders trust the library as a public institution and the library has a lot more stakes in the game than a single person recording the show and distributing it.

It’s a very tenuous agreement at times, and likely the library is only allowed to even record because there are so many protections in place and they have a history of enforcing these rules. These agreements also usually cover digitization and preservation, but again, violating them could have those abilities taken away as well. It’s all tied up in copyright law and the library has no control over that. I have talked to archivists where I live who have to record performances with tape over the lens because it’s considered for preservation and they want to make sure it cannot be possible to profit off of it in any way. 

When the show goes into public domain they will be able to put it online all they want without fear of repercussions, but until then, unless those agreements change, we are all limited by the whim of the copyright holders.

5. Hello! Is the pro shot you watched what this clip is from https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cp2_80CJqI3/?igsh=MWNja2wwYWw4OHUwbw== ?

I know all of us here on Tumblr were freaking out that they maybe had a copy of the pro shot when this came out. Thank you! (@imstillhere-butallislost)

Not the proshot, it's a press reel. It has its own cool story though! Answered this here.

6. How good of a shot was it? I know you said ProShot but is it a ProShot like Hamilton or just a camera recording the whole stage at once?

I’d definitely say it was Hamilton pro-shot quality as to what was available at the time between image quality and mixing up of close ups and wide shots. I’ve watched other proshots and many just park a camera in the back of the orchestra and call it good. Cats in particular had multiple cameras but just did close-ups when they felt like it, not when it made sense or added anything. As @or-what-you-will explained in their re-blog, Phantom was one of the first proshots where they had a soundboard plug in, and let me tell you, with the exception of a few moments in Act 1 where Sarah Brightman maxes out her mic, the sound was delicious. Have we talked about how Judy Kaye is singing over the overture (yes, that’s Judy Kaye, original Carlotta, warming up!)? Or that you can hear every single word of Notes I and Prima Donna and Notes II, which usually just sounds garbled because everyone is singing over one another? Actually hearing words that I sort of know exist changed my experience of the show for me. 

7. How did the tempo seem, compared to the pace of the show at the end of its run? I saw the show a few times in the last few years, and the music seemed significantly faster in person than it sounded on the London cast recording. I’ve always wondered if that was just a difference between the London and NY productions, or if the tempo just sped up over the years.

Uh…normal pace??? I’ve watched a lot of boots and most solidly clock in 2:15 of run time. This was no different. There are definitely some that run a little faster. London during Earl Carpenter’s 2023 run was notorious as he had to catch a train. It does seem to have settled back out. I will say, the music does always feel more intense in person because the whole place just vibrates. 

8. I'm curious about the comment about the Ratcatcher? I think I remember that character from a film adaptation, but was he ever in the ALW musical? (@lord-valery-mimes)

Yes, Ratcatcher is still in the musical, even now. It’s a blink or you miss it type of moment. If you hear a thud and a scream right before Madame Giry tells Raoul “He lives across the Lake, Monsieur”, the thud is the ratcatcher running across the travelator.

9. Does Christine really recognize the Phantom in PONR from his boner? 

No, but at this point she probably already know it’s him and has been trying to get through the scene, but definitely acts surprised because, well, that’s surprising. But it’s definitely the moment where the Vibes Are Officially Off. 

10. Can Sarah Brightman act? 

Yes! All three of the trio have far more nuanced performances on stage. Sarah doesn’t act the way that we do see many later Christines (including late 80s and early 90s Christines), but she absolutely created the blueprint for the role. Her “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” is missing some soul, but at the end of the day she was one of a kind, and she made some very strong acting choices. 

11. there anything unexpected? Any interpretation that stood out to you and particularly striking but didn’t stick around as others took on the roles and put their own spin on things?

Guys, I want to talk about Steve Barton as Raoul. The man made choice, after choice, after choice. And yet we have had so many Raoul’s that are kind of just strutting about looking pretty. Some seem to even forget they’re onstage during Final Lair. It can be such a juicy role if the actors choose to make it that way but so few do. 

Besides some small details I mentioned, the show did maintain its integrity through its 35 year run, which is truly remarkable. 

(@or-what-you-will here) Seconding what Flag said, Steve Barton brought so much more to the role than I’m used to seeing, and it really opened my mind to what Raoul could be. 

The blocking in PONR did surprise me, I knew they had changed it but I hadn’t realized how much. I always found the kind of pinwheeling arm thing Christine does with the phantom strange, so it was a pleasant surprise to find that they didn’t do that at all, the embrace from behind made more sense to me.

I also found after she took his hood off no one really ran out, the phantom and Christine got to have their moment. The blocking where they (the managers and Raoul) run out and tell Christine to stay makes no sense with their motivations to stop him. The more recent blocking where Christine motions them to stay in place as the phantom sings the All I Ask of You Reprise makes way more sense with the characters’ motives and matches this original blocking much more. 

12. Also are you truly working on a research project? If so, how is progress and where might we find your final results when it’s complete?

To quote Dr. Who, “Spoilers.” Yes, always. Both of us have day jobs that have us doing research, but I can’t promise I’ll put it on here when complete since I keep fandom and real life separate. Sorry to dodge this one but getting into specifics about this starts to identify us. 

(@or-what-you-will here) Seconding what Flag said. 

13. Hi there, I was wondering if I could ask you a general question about the NPL’s archive. Something about the language on their website made it sound like viewers could only watch a recording “once”. I wasn’t sure if that meant “once per visit” (i.e. you can’t sit there for 8 hours restarting the tape every time it ends) or “once” as in forever (like, once you’ve watched a recording you are never allowed to request it again). Did you have any clarification? I wasn't sure if the librarians explain the policies when you arrive at your appointment. Thank you for providing so many details about the Phantom pro-shot and offering to answer our questions! That's really kind of you!

You’re welcome! So if there’s nobody after you, you can hang out with the media as long as you want. However, we did have another group come in about 90 minutes after us. That gave us enough time to watch both acts with all the rewinds we wanted. We watched PONR and parts of Final Lair like five times. On a previous TOFT trip I watched two shows and was there for like six hours.  The prohibition is on coming back and watching the recording again. I have no idea how strict they are about this, although I suspect it’s to keep people from monopolizing certain media. Would I want to try to watch the proshot again in the future? Probably! I know there’s stuff I missed, or I’d see something different depending on what I’m working on. The TOFT is also an absolutely incredible resource and I have so many other shows I’d like to check out. 

(Will here) They do log on your library account when you visit that you visited and what you saw. However, if you have accessibility needs that would require you to watch in multiple viewings or something along those lines, I would talk to them about it, because I’m sure they’d be able to work with you to figure out something so you wouldn’t have to sit through the whole thing in one shot.

14. > Barton Raoul’s “There is no Phantom of the Opera” comes off more as “Christine this is just some dude” vs “he doesn’t exist at all.” 

Could you elaborate on this part? I'm having trouble imagining how that would be conveyed. (also, thanks for sharing your notes on the procast!) @clutzyangel

You're welcome! Yes, he's telling Christine that the Phantom is a human, flesh-and-blood man, not some fantastical creature. I've seen many Raouls who seem to try to convince Christine that the Phantom doesn't exist at all. Barton's Raoul seems to understand that he's a man with ulterior motives possibly duping Christine.

And he's not wrong.

[etherfall]

What does N call Alder? I think a cute fanfic idea would be the first time he calls Alder his dad, whether it's to his face or like, "my dad told me..."

I've got a little story just for this moment, hope you enjoy!

“Alder!”

Alder, who was sitting at the front entrance to their home, turned his head at the sound to see N excitedly bounding across the grass with his poncho trailing behind him. 

It had been a few months since he first found N in the woods. To Alder’s delight he was adjusting very well, and was now incredibly comfortable being in his home. For the first few weeks N didn’t speak. Alder was initially worried that his critical period for language learning had passed, but N was very smart and quickly picked up English.

N’s old shirt and pants had been replaced with a cream-colored poncho embroidered with gold lace that Alder had spent all night painstakingly sewing. Although he had lost many nights of sleep, it was worth it to see N’s smile of happiness as he slipped the new poncho across his shoulders. It felt good to be taking care of somebody again.

N stumbled to a stop, panting as he caught his breath. Alder let out a chuckle, amused.

“Slow down there N, what happened?”

N tugged on his hand excitedly. “Alder you have to see this!”

Alder stood up from the front steps of the house and let N lead him into the forest. “Where are we going? You still haven’t told me what’s happening.”

“Shhhh!” N said, hushing him. Alder smiled and closed his lips, letting the boy lead him deeper into the woods.

When they had gotten a good distance from the house N suddenly crouched down, pulling Alder into the bushes with him. He pointed into the brambles, wide-eyed and awed. 

“Look!”

Alder squinted, trying to see what N was pointing at. His eyesight had definitely waned over the years, but he eventually made out the figure of a Sawsbuck who was followed by a group of Deerling. 

It was truly a sight to behold. The great Sawsbuck held itself majestically, blinking slowly as it turned its head. The dapple of soft forest light scattered across its brown fur in a beautiful display of pattern. It would have blended in perfectly with the surrounding trees if not for the crowd of bright pink spring Deerling that were bouncing back and forth at its feet. Alder let out a breath of deep admiration. It was always a breathtaking scene to see such a beautiful creature in the wild.

The Sawsbuck dipped its head to calm the excited group of Deerling, nuzzling one softly with its nose. The Deerling wiggled its tail, letting out a happy bleat of excitement. The Sawsbuck lifted itself up regally and began to trot away into the woods, with the Deerling following behind. Soon they disappeared into the thick tangle of the forest.

Alder was beaming. The Sawsbuck was a great surprise to see. When they were both sure the pokemon were gone, Alder stood up and brushed the dirt off of his pants.

“That was a really beautiful thing you found, N. Did you see all those Deerling? That Sawsbuck is one busy dad.” He said with a chuckle.

N stood up as well, his expression of awe shifting to one of confusion.

“Wait, what’s a dad?” He asked, puzzled.

Alder silently face-palmed himself. He had completely forgotten that N had a very different upbringing than other people. He racked his brain for a quick explanation.

“Err…well I suppose you could say that a dad is a parent who raises you and cares for you.”

Alder gestured towards the forest where the Sawsbuck had disappeared. 

“That Sawsbuck we just saw is the dad to all those young Deerling. He cares for them and makes sure that they are all safe.”

Alder could see the gears in N’s head turning. He tried to clarify it a little more.

“Pretty much everyone has a dad, and their job is to look out for you as you grow up. Whether that be, let's say, making you food or teaching you how the world works. A dad doesn’t have to be related to you by blood, but he should be there to support you.”

N brightened in understanding, then turned his head to look at Alder. 

“Wait, that means that I should call you dad!”

Alder paused, stunned by the sudden response. “I…what?”

“Well you made me dinner every day, you gave me a home when it was raining, and you made me new clothes!” He said, excitedly lifting up an arm to show off the poncho. “You taught me about things I didn’t know and took care of me.”

N nodded to himself, beaming, oblivious to the fact that he was making Alder melt with happiness. He turned his head back towards the forest, looking out at where the pokemon had disappeared. A small smile hung on his lips.

“If you say that everyone has a dad, then you must be mine.” He murmured, tilting his head to look at Alder. “Right?”

Alder felt his heart twist. A complicated feeling of delight and sadness tore cruelly at his heartstrings.

“Oh N… A dad can be anyone, as long as you believe they care for you enough.”

N wrapped his arms around Alder’s waist, repeating the word a few more times, before burying his head into the folds of Alder’s poncho with a soft smile on his face.

“I like that. I think that I will call you dad.”

Alder felt as if he might start bawling. He tucked one hand around N’s shoulders, pulling him close. He pressed his other hand against his heart, turning his head to look down at N, trying to capture the moment forever in his mind.

“You can call me whatever you want N, but I feel very honored that you would choose to call me your dad.”

They stood together in the embrace, basking in the warm evening light. Alder turned his head away, feeling his heart flip with so many complicated emotions that had been dormant for years. He didn’t know if N knew the weight of the words that he had just said, but all he hoped for in the moment was that N was feeling comforted and loved. After a while Alder gently let go of N, giving him a bright smile.

“It’s starting to get late. Let’s head home now, son.”

N looked confused again. “Son? What’s a son?”

Alder laughed, ruffling N’s hair before gently taking his hand and leading him out of the bushes towards their house. The fading tendrils of the afternoon sun danced across their ponchos as they made their way through the woods together.

“That’s a name that I would call you N, the person whom the dad loves and cares for the most.”

[horsefan44]

Oh, are you that horse fella I heard about?! Do you really like horses? I heard they’re okay. Well I didn’t “hear” they’re okay, I THINK THEY ARE! You know. My own opinions! My own lovely awesome opinion.

- @quickwinnings

OH, and you are that duck fella I've heard about! Well, it's very nice to finally meet you miss! And of course I am, I put it in my bio after all, heh! And... well...! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion...I guess... BUT!! Allow me to perhaps change your mind, horses truly are the best animal that have ever existed! My daughter showed me how to "embed" "gifs" which comes in very handy for what I need to show you and everyone reading.

Just look at these majestic creatures! Did you know that their knee joints are similar to ours? So fascinating... It seems that we are not so different from these beautiful beasts...

Besides, they are just so darn cute! Look at these two little guys playing around! A baby horse is called a foal or a filly, if it's a little girl!

Here's another fun fact! Did you know back in the Wild West stealing a horse was punishable by death? Well... I guess that's not a very fun fact... But it was like stealing someone's car I guess! Even so... I don't think people should have that kind of punishment for doing that...hmm... Sorry if I bummed anyone out with this one... :( Here's another gif to get your mind off that info!

Heh...! This one reminds me of someone! I should invite him over for a nice cup of coffee today...!

Welp, I could go on and on about these fellas but going back to your "ask", I really hope I was able to convince you that horses are not just "okay"! Do send me another "ask" if you have any other questions about horses! Or, I guess any other questions in general, heh.

[dipperdesperado]

dreaming and IRL worldbuilding

I’ve been doing some talking about getting into radicalism and how to organize. You can do that first—you have a feeling that things need to change and you just act. At some point though, I think it’s important to start thinking from a longer-term perspective. That's where visioning comes in.

To know how to change the world, we should know what we want it to look like. Solarpunk is a great example of this—giving us aspirational visuals and vistas for how the world could look if we got our shit together. This is what a vision is in a nutshell.

Once we have have an understanding of what we want the world to look like, we have to figure out how to get there. This is where things start to become interesting. To me, values are like guiding principles that we ground our actions in. To come up with values, think about the ethics and principles that are embedded in your vision. If we think about solarpunk, some values that I see are ecological harmony, intersectional feminism, and economic democracy.

When we have our vision and values in place, we can think about the specific things that we want to accomplish. Our goals should be relatively concrete things that we can build strategies around. What are the material changes that you want to happen? What are the specific, tangible things that you can work towards? If it’s too broad (ex: “I want to abolish the commodity form”), then that might be one of the descriptors of your vision.

So, you create a vision → which informs your values → and dictates your goals.

To develop a vision, put on your dreaming goggles. Imagine what the world can look like. Try to engage your senses. What do you see? What do you hear? What does it smell like?

To develop your values, look at that vision, analyze the implied material and social contexts and use those as guiding lights.

To develop your goals, think about the specific things you can work towards, acting within your values, to create fertile ground for your vision to flourish.

To wrap up, I want to walk through a vision of a better world. If you want some homework, you can derive some values and goals from that.

---

As I leave my house for the day, I step out onto a quiet city street. The air is crisp and filled with the scent of freshly bloomed flowers and the subtle aroma of earthy, homegrown herbs. The street is lined with majestic, towering trees, their leaves dancing in the gentle breeze, casting shattered shadows on mosaic sidewalks below.

As I walk along the street, I hear the melodies of birds chirping, flitting from mossy building to wild rooftop. The sound of laughter and lively conversations fills the air, as people gather in community spaces and reclaimed streets.

The buildings themselves are architectural wonders, adorned with solar panels and living walls that burst with vibrant vegetation. They harmoniously blend into the surrounding natural landscape, their design inspired by historical ecological buildings. These buildings are not just structures; they are living organisms, integrated with the ecosystem, providing shade, shelter, and sustenance for both humans and wildlife.

Streets are bustling with activity, but they are not dominated by cars. Instead, it is a pedestrian-friendly space where people of all ages and abilities move freely and safely. Electric trams silently glide by, their sleek design reflecting the beauty of their surroundings.

Local artisans and worker-owners have set up vibrant market stalls, showcasing their handmade creations and locally sourced goods. Vibrant textiles, handcrafted jewelry, and organic produce catch the eye. Neighbors stop to chat, share stories, and exchange ideas.

In the distance, I see a community forest garden, a lush oasis of greenery where residents gather to cultivate their own food. The garden is a testament to space reclaimed by the people, fostering a sense of ownership and connection to the land.

As I continue my walk, I feel a sense of hope and possibility. This city is a testament to the power of collective action and the transformative potential of dreaming and envisioning a better world.

[cynic-spirit]

Jill and George

While walking near the marshland one day, Y/N stumbled upon a small, shivering puppy huddled in the grass. The tiny creature looked up at her with big, hopeful eyes, and Y/N's heart melted instantly.

She carefully picked up the puppy, cradling it in her arms. “Steve, look what I found!” she called out as she made her way back to the mansion.

Steve, intrigued by the commotion, came over to see what Y/N had discovered. His eyes softened as he saw the tiny, helpless puppy nestled in her arms.

“Aw, what a little sweetheart,” Steve said, reaching out to gently pet the puppy. “You want to keep him?”

Y/N nodded eagerly. “Yes, I’d love to. I think he needs a home and some love.”

Steve chuckled, a playful smile crossing his face. “Well, it would be a nice change to have a non-predatory animal around here. Gustave’s great and all, but I’m sure a little puppy will bring a different kind of joy to the house.”

Y/N grinned, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “Exactly. I think it’ll be good for all of us to have a different kind of companion.”

Steve, seeing how happy the puppy made Y/N, nodded in agreement. “Alright, we’ll keep him. But let’s make sure he’s properly taken care of. A little puppy can bring a lot of joy and, hopefully, a bit of balance to our otherwise wild household.”

The small puppy, oblivious to the past excitement, wagged its tail and licked Y/N’s face, adding a new, warm presence to their lives. Steve watched with a smile, content that Y/N’s kindness and love for animals had once again made their home a more vibrant and welcoming place.

As the months went by, the small puppy Y/N had found grew at an astonishing rate. What was once a tiny, adorable bundle of fur was quickly becoming a large, imposing presence in the mansion. Steve and Y/N noticed the transformation with increasing surprise, especially as the puppy’s size continued to outpace normal expectations.

One day, Steve, eyeing the now sizable canine with a mixture of curiosity and concern, finally asked, “Y/N, where exactly did you find this ‘puppy’? I mean, he’s growing so fast, it’s almost like he’s on steroids.”

Y/N, casually patting the now large, muscular animal, replied with a nonchalant shrug, “Oh, just near the marshland.”

Steve’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Near the marshland? You mean the same marshland where Gustave hangs out?”

Y/N nodded. “Yep, that’s the place.”

Steve’s eyes widened as the realization sank in. “Wait a minute. You don’t mean to tell me that this isn’t a regular dog puppy, do you?”

Y/N smiled, an amused glint in her eye. “Well, it’s not exactly a dog. Turns out, it’s a grey wolf puppy.”

Steve’s jaw dropped slightly. “A grey wolf? You mean to say we’ve been raising a wolf instead of a dog?”

Y/N nodded, still looking unfazed. “Yep. I guess I should have mentioned it earlier. But he’s been so sweet and well-behaved, I didn’t think it mattered.”

Steve shook his head, a mix of awe and exasperation on his face. “I can’t believe this. First, we have a crocodile as a pet, and now a wolf. You really do have a knack for picking the most unusual animals.”

Y/N laughed softly. “Well, he’s been a great companion. And don’t worry, he’s been nothing but gentle and loving.”

Steve, taking in the sight of the now enormous grey wolf, let out a chuckle. “I guess we’ve got a full menagerie going on here. But as long as he’s good with you and the house, I suppose we can make room for one more.”

The grey wolf, now large and majestic, approached Steve and nuzzled against him, clearly comfortable in his presence. Steve’s initial surprise gave way to admiration as he realized the bond Y/N had with her new companion.

“Alright then,” Steve said with a grin. “Welcome to the pack, I suppose. Just remember, you’re going to have to get used to sharing space with Gustave.”

Steve gathered his friends—Bucky, Sam, and Natasha—at the mansion, a look of bemused disbelief on his face. They were all sitting in the living room, still trying to process the latest surprise.

“So, you know that ‘puppy’ Y/N found near the marshland?” Steve began, shaking his head slightly as he spoke. “Well, it turns out it’s not a regular dog puppy.”

The trio looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

“What do you mean?” Bucky asked. “Isn’t it just a big dog?”

Steve’s expression was a mix of incredulity and amusement. “Nope. It’s a grey wolf pup.”

Sam’s eyes widened. “A grey wolf? Are you serious?”

Steve nodded. “Yep. Apparently, I’ve been raising a wolf instead of a dog. Y/N didn’t think it was a big deal, but I’m still wrapping my head around it.”

Natasha leaned forward, clearly intrigued. “So, all this time, we’ve had a wolf in the mansion?”

Steve nodded again. “Exactly. And it’s grown into quite the large, impressive animal. I guess Y/N’s got a real talent for finding and handling these extraordinary creatures.”

Bucky let out a low whistle. “Well, that explains a lot. No wonder he’s been growing so fast. And here I was thinking we had a particularly large dog.”

Sam shook his head, still in disbelief. “So, we have a crocodile and a wolf as pets now? That’s something you don’t see every day.”

Steve chuckled. “Yeah, I know. I guess we’ve got a bit of a menagerie going on. But as long as they’re good with Y/N and the house, I suppose we can handle it.”

Natasha smiled, impressed. “Well, it sounds like Y/N’s got a way with animals. I’m sure the wolf is just as well-behaved as Gustave.”

Steve grinned. “You know, I’m starting to think there’s no limit to what she can do. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, she surprises you again.”

Steve sighed deeply, shaking his head as he contemplated the situation. “I really have to put a stop to her bringing animals from the marshland.”

Bucky raised an eyebrow. “Why? I thought you were okay with her having these unique pets.”

Steve’s expression grew serious. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate what she’s done. I do. It’s just… well, it’s getting a bit out of hand. First, we had Gustave, and now a full-grown grey wolf. Who knows what might come next if she keeps finding animals in the marshland?”

Sam nodded in understanding. “I get it. It’s one thing to have a couple of extraordinary pets, but you don’t want the situation to get out of control.”

Steve continued, “Exactly. I mean, I love how much she cares for these animals, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. But I think we need to set some boundaries. I don’t want to risk having more predators or unexpected creatures in the house.”

Natasha, always practical, offered a suggestion. “Maybe you can gently talk to her about it. Explain your concerns and see if she’s willing to focus on less dangerous animals.”

Steve sighed with a mix of resignation and determination. “Yeah, I think that’s the best approach. I don’t want to upset her, but I also want to ensure that we’re not putting ourselves or the animals in any danger.”

As the friends nodded in agreement, Steve felt a bit more at ease with his plan. He knew it was important to balance Y/N’s love for animals with practical considerations, ensuring that their home remained safe and manageable.

Steve sat down with Y/N, his tone serious but gentle. “Y/N, we need to talk about something important. I’ve been thinking about the animals you’ve been bringing from the marshland, and I’ve decided that we need to stop that.”

Y/N looked surprised and a bit concerned. “But Steve, they can’t fend for themselves out there. They need help.”

Steve nodded, understanding her concern but trying to make his point clear. “I know they do, and I appreciate that you want to help them. But we’ve already got Gustave and George, and I’m worried about what might come next. It’s getting a bit out of hand.”

Y/N’s expression softened, but she remained firm. “I just want to make sure they’re safe. The marshland can be dangerous for them.”

Steve sighed. “I get that. It’s just that we need to find a balance. We can’t keep bringing in new animals without considering the impact. It’s not just about the animals—it’s about making sure our home remains a safe and manageable environment.”

Y/N looked down, then met Steve’s gaze with a mix of frustration and understanding. “I see what you’re saying. I just wish there was another way to help them.”

Steve reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. “I know, and I’m grateful for how compassionate you are. Maybe we can look into ways to support animal shelters or organizations that can help these creatures in need.”

Y/N considered his words and nodded slowly. “That sounds like a good idea. I want to help them, but I understand we need to be practical.”

Steve smiled, relieved. “Thank you for understanding. We’ll figure out a way to support them without adding more to our already full household.”

It was supposed to be a typical afternoon at Steve’s mansion, but as he stepped out onto the grounds, he was met with a sight that was anything but ordinary. In the middle of the sprawling yard, Y/N was playing catch with George—the enormous grey wolf she had found near the marshland. Fully grown now, George was an impressive and intimidating creature, standing nearly six feet tall when he reared up on his hind legs, his powerful frame covered in thick, silvery fur.

Yet, despite his formidable appearance, George was behaving like a gentle, oversized puppy. He leapt through the air with surprising agility, catching the ball Y/N tossed to him before bounding back with a joyful wag of his tail. The scene was so surreal that everyone around the estate had come to a complete standstill. The gardeners had paused their work, the security guards were frozen in place, and even the chef, who had stepped outside for a moment, was staring in disbelief.

On the porch, Steve’s friends—Bucky, Sam, and Natasha—were equally stunned. They watched the spectacle unfold with a mixture of shock and amusement. Natasha leaned casually against the railing, a smirk tugging at her lips, while Bucky and Sam exchanged wide-eyed glances, trying to process what they were seeing.

Sam was the first to speak, his tone dripping with incredulity. “Steve, man, you’ve got to be kidding me. At this point, you might as well go all in. Why not get a jaguar next? Seems like the more predatory the animal, the tamer it becomes around Y/N.”

Bucky nodded, barely containing his laughter. “Yeah, seriously, first a crocodile, now a wolf that stands six feet tall on its hind legs? What’s next, a grizzly bear? A lion?”

Natasha chuckled, adding with a teasing glint in her eye, “She’s got this magical ability to turn even the fiercest creatures into oversized kittens. Just like she tamed the most dangerous predator of all—Mobster Steve Rogers.”

Steve rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t hide the smile tugging at his lips. “You all think you’re so funny, don’t you?” He looked over at Y/N, who was now crouching down to pet George, the massive wolf licking her face affectionately, his tail wagging like a happy dog. “But you might be right. I never expected to have a wolf that could stand eye-to-eye with me as part of the family.”

Bucky grinned, nudging Steve in the ribs. “Come on, admit it, Steve. It’s impressive. She’s got a way of making even the most dangerous animals gentle as lambs. Just like she did with you.”

Sam burst out laughing, clapping Steve on the back. “Yeah, if Y/N can tame a mobster like you, it’s no wonder the animals fall in line.”

Steve shook his head in disbelief as he watched George trot back to Y/N, dropping the ball at her feet, his eyes full of adoration. “I guess you’re right. She’s got this way of making everything and everyone around her just… settle down.”

Natasha’s smirk widened. “Who knew the way to a mobster’s heart was through a pack of wild animals?”

Steve chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “I never imagined this would be my life—married to a woman who plays catch with a wolf that’s nearly as tall as I am.”

Bucky snickered. “Well, one thing’s for sure, Steve. With Y/N around, you’ll never have to worry about anything, not with your own personal army of tamed predators.”

Steve nodded, still amazed at the sight before him. “Yeah, but I think we’ll hold off on any more additions to the menagerie. I’ve got my hands full with these two.”

As Y/N tossed the ball again, George bounded off, his massive frame moving with the grace of a much smaller animal. Steve felt a surge of pride as he watched her, fearless and full of joy. Even if their home was beginning to look like a wildlife reserve, it was a small price to pay for the love and happiness she brought into his life. And as much as he pretended to be exasperated by the situation, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Still, as he watched George return the ball to Y/N, who was laughing and giving the giant wolf a big hug, Steve couldn’t help but wonder what she might bring home next. Whatever it was, he had no doubt it would be just as tamed—and just as loved—as every other creature in their extraordinary household.

Steve was sitting in his office, flipping through some paperwork, when Y/N’s cousin Tim walked in. Tim had recently started working with Steve, helping out with some of the more legitimate aspects of the business. He was a good guy—loyal, hardworking, and, most importantly, he genuinely cared about Y/N.

"Hey, Tim," Steve greeted him, leaning back in his chair. "How’s everything going?"

"Not bad, not bad," Tim replied, taking a seat across from Steve. "I heard about George and Gustave. That’s some serious wildlife you’ve got over there."

Steve chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Yeah, you could say that. Y/N’s got a knack for taming wild animals, apparently. I mean, who else would turn a marshland into a home for a crocodile and a wolf?"

Tim smiled, but there was a knowing look in his eyes. "You know, that’s not the first time she’s done something like this."

Steve raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What do you mean?"

Tim leaned forward slightly, as if he was about to share a secret. "When Y/N was about six years old, she brought home this stray black cat. Or at least, we all thought it was a cat at the time. She even named it Jill. It was small, cute, and Y/N was completely smitten with it. She took care of that animal like it was her own little baby."

Steve nodded, picturing a young Y/N with a tiny black cat in her arms. "Sounds like her. Always taking care of something."

"Exactly," Tim continued. "But here’s the thing. After about a year, Jill wasn’t so little anymore. She’d grown bigger, much bigger, and we started to notice she wasn’t behaving like a regular house cat. Jill was more… wild."

Steve narrowed his eyes, leaning in. "What was it?"

Tim chuckled, shaking his head as he recalled the memory. "Turns out, Jill wasn’t a cat at all. She was a black panther."

Steve blinked, stunned. "A black panther? Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," Tim confirmed. "It was the craziest thing. Y/N had been taking care of a black panther for a year without anyone realizing it. By the time we figured it out, Jill was massive. We had to call in wildlife experts to safely relocate her to a reserve."

Steve let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "A black panther… of course she did."

Tim laughed. "Yeah, that’s Y/N for you. She’s always had a connection with animals, even the ones that should probably be left in the wild. But that panther never harmed her, not once. It was like it knew she was the one taking care of it, so it was completely gentle around her."

Steve couldn’t help but smile, a mixture of admiration and exasperation washing over him. "That sounds exactly like Y/N. No wonder she’s so comfortable with Gustave and George. This isn’t her first rodeo with wild animals."

"Exactly," Tim agreed. "So, when I heard about the crocodile and the wolf, I wasn’t all that surprised. She’s got this way about her, you know? Like she can see the good in even the most dangerous creatures."

Steve nodded, his thoughts drifting back to Y/N. "Yeah, she really does. But I think I’m going to have to set some ground rules about bringing home animals from the marshland. I don’t know if I’m ready for another surprise like that."

Tim chuckled, standing up to leave. "Good luck with that. But if anyone can handle it, it’s you."

Steve smiled, standing as well. "Thanks, Tim. And thanks for the heads up about Jill. I’m sure that’s going to be an interesting story to share with Y/N."

Later that evening, Steve found himself sitting outside on the patio with Bucky, Sam, and Natasha. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the grounds of the mansion. George, the enormous grey wolf, was lounging nearby, his massive frame making even the spacious yard seem small.

As they all sipped on their drinks, Sam couldn't help but glance at the wolf every now and then, still not entirely comfortable with the idea of such a wild animal being so close. Bucky, on the other hand, seemed almost amused by the whole situation, while Natasha remained her usual composed self, though her eyes were sharp, always assessing.

"So," Steve began, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, "you guys won’t believe what I found out today."

Natasha raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it, Steve?"

Steve leaned back in his chair, the smirk growing into a full grin. "Turns out, this whole thing with Y/N and wild animals isn’t new. When she was about six, she brought home what she thought was a stray black cat."

Bucky snorted. "Let me guess, it wasn’t a cat."

"Not even close," Steve replied, shaking his head. "She named it Jill, took care of it for a whole year. It wasn’t until Jill started getting a little too big and a little too wild that her family realized they weren’t dealing with a regular house cat."

Sam’s eyes widened, his drink halfway to his mouth. "What was it?"

Steve took a sip of his own drink before dropping the bomb. "A black panther."

Natasha, usually unflappable, actually blinked in surprise. "A black panther? You’re kidding."

"Nope," Steve said, chuckling. "A full-grown black panther, living in their house like it was the family pet. They had to call in wildlife experts to get her relocated to a reserve."

Bucky laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. "That sounds exactly like something Y/N would do. She’s got a way with animals, that’s for sure."

Sam leaned back in his chair, looking at George, who was now rolling onto his back like an oversized dog. "Man, you’ve got a wife who tames wild animals. What’s next, a jaguar?"

Natasha smirked. "Or maybe a lion? The more predatory the animal, the tamer it becomes around her. Just like a certain mobster we know."

Steve rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t help but smile. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. But you’re not wrong. If she can handle a black panther at six, I guess a crocodile and a wolf aren’t all that surprising."

Sam shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around the story. "A black panther, though? That’s insane. And here I thought George was the wildest pet she’d ever had."

Bucky grinned. "Maybe we should keep an eye on the marshland. Who knows what she’ll find next? Maybe a bear or a tiger?"

"Don’t even joke about that," Steve said, though there was a hint of genuine concern in his voice. "I’m trying to set some ground rules about bringing home animals, but she’s got that look in her eyes every time she finds something."

Natasha laughed softly. "Good luck with that. But honestly, Steve, it’s kind of amazing. She sees the good in everything, even in the wildest of creatures."

"Yeah," Steve agreed, his voice softening. "That’s one of the things I love about her. But I’m still going to have to draw the line somewhere. I don’t think I’m ready to deal with another panther situation."

Bucky clapped Steve on the shoulder. "If anyone can figure it out, it’s you, Steve. Just make sure we’re around to see it when she brings home her next wild pet."

They all laughed, the tension easing as they settled into the evening. But as Steve glanced over at George, now snoozing peacefully, he couldn’t help but wonder what other surprises Y/N might have in store for him. Whatever it was, he knew he’d be ready—after all, if she could tame a panther, a wolf, and a crocodile, then maybe, just maybe, there wasn’t anything they couldn’t handle together.

As Y/N left the room, Steve watched her with a fond smile before turning back to Bucky, Sam, and Natasha. Shaking his head in mock exasperation, he let out a sigh.

“Whatever happened to getting a goldfish or a Chihuahua?” he asked, his tone full of playful frustration.

The room burst into laughter. Bucky nearly doubled over, clutching his sides. “A goldfish? Can you even imagine? Y/N with something that simple?”

Sam leaned back, laughing so hard he had to catch his breath. “Steve, you should’ve known better. She’s not exactly the type to settle for a pet that doesn’t have a set of fangs or claws. She’s got a history—panthers, crocodiles, wolves. She skipped over the whole ‘normal pet’ thing entirely!”

Natasha smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Goldfish and Chihuahuas are for amateurs. Y/N’s practically running her own wildlife sanctuary over here.”

Steve chuckled, shaking his head again. “You’re telling me. And the next animal she brings home—from anywhere, not just the marshland—I’m getting it tested to make sure we know what it is.”

That set off another round of laughter. Bucky wiped a tear from his eye. “Good call, Steve. With Y/N, you never know what kind of ‘puppy’ you might end up with.”

Sam nodded, still grinning. “Yeah, you don’t want to wake up one day and find out you’ve got a tiger lounging in the living room.”

Steve laughed along with them, knowing full well that with Y/N, life would always be full of surprises—sometimes furry, sometimes scaly, but always interesting. And despite the wild nature of her choice in pets, he wouldn’t change a thing about her.

[hotcheetohatredwastaken]

7 & 10 or perish

7. Share a line/paragraph/snippet that you were especially proud of.

Okay so I love this chapter just for the fact that everything I've been setting up for 200,000+ words culminates in here (but this section I've chosen also should reveal nothing heu heu heu). Also @needfantasticstories complemented the wording of one of the sentences, and I seeing my work through another's eyes really makes me appreciate it? If you know what I'm saying? But yeah, I wrote this during the poetry section of my AP Literature class in high school, if you couldn't tell by my gratuitous use of alliteration, semicolons, and parallel sentence structure.

[Have I posted this before? I hope I haven't DX I am very proud of it. If I have let me know and I'll try to find something else]

Wild stepped into the ornate church. High stone ceilings flew overhead, lined with stained glass windows—depictions of their Golden Goddess—that sent shattered slivers of light dancing along the cold stone floor. Rows upon rows of lowly stone pews stood in ordered procession on either side of the walkway, stretching all the way to the raised platform at the front of the cathedral. A great statue, so unlike the one that he knew, loomed over it all. The Hylia he knew had hair of flowering vine, and robes of majestic moss; this one's every strand was spun of gold, this one's every fold formed of ivory. His Hylia’s face was of cracked calcite, worn down and rounded out over years of exposure to the elements; this one’s was of sharp, shining porcelain. Little gray wings he’d only ever seen tucked to her sides, like those of a Rito fledgling, were now golden and stretched out in their full glory. She did not lower her head over clasped hands in constant thought of her people, as said by her now-extinct priests; instead, her gaze was cast victoriously outwards, her hand thrust forwards like that of a sovereign, conquering queen. White rose petals drifted and fluttered gently down to lay scattered across the stone pews. They trailed after Wild, swirling around his ankles with every step, as he walked forwards in a dreamlike state to the foot of the statue. It only grew larger, more imposing, as he approached, and himself so much smaller.

10. What are your writing goals for the upcoming year?

Okay okay okay okay. Just because you asked, I'm going to end up having to write out my entire planned chapter by chapter schedule and pin it to the top of my blog, aren't I?

But for a summary, basically--right now I'm trying to finish up my Noble's Warning chapters, which will get me to through February and some of March, so that I can participate in FebWhump without juggling two projects. The Differences chapters, which are pretty much done besides a few select bits that actually need to be written, should carry me all the way to Spring Break and through. During Spring Break (cuz I'm a cringe college student) I will try to finalize enough to make it close to the Heal Chapters, which should free me up until finals are over in May/June-ish.

Summer is when things get real. That's when I'll evaluate how much of Arc 2 I have done and how much time I think I need to finish it. If I'm ahead of schedule, I'll make sure I've hit all the finishing touches for Arc 1 and start releasing chapters twice a week. If not, I'll give myself more time with the once a week updates. Plus, I want to take a break between Arc 1 and 2 just to let ya'll squirm, so that gives me at least a month, I think, depending how hard ya'll cry at me to continue. There's also a whole timeline thing there of whether I want to do flashbacks of a section or if I just wanna say F it we ball, but that's beside the point.

If I do once a week releases, I already have enough planned content for Arc 1 + the occasional Prologue pieces to get me through the entire year and then some. So yeah, that's the plan for the year :D

[mariana-oconnor]

The Devil's Foot pt 3

The last part of the story and still no devilish feet in sight. I have to assume it's the name of the drug at this point, because otherwise I don't know what's going on.

Last time Holmes and Watson did a very stupid thing and almost died a very stupid death. Then they declared their undying devotion to each other and it would have all been ever so sweet if I hadn't wanted to bonk their heads together to try to get their brains working via percussive maintenance.

⬆️Holmes and Watson's last two braincells there, right before they killed them inhaling an incredibly fast acting lethal poison.

"It would be superfluous to drive us mad, my dear Watson," said he. "A candid observer would certainly declare that we were so already before we embarked upon so wild an experiment."

Holy shit, that poison gave Holmes the ability to read my mind.

"But the cause remains as obscure as before."

I wonder. Could the weird poison that Holmes doesn't appear to have come across before possibly be linked to the famous explorer/adventurer/lion guy who has been to many exotic and distant locales?

Maybe?

Perhaps?

"I think we must admit that all the evidence points to this man, Mortimer Tregennis, having been the criminal in the first tragedy, though he was the victim in the second one. We must remember, in the first place, that there is some story of a family quarrel, followed by a reconciliation. How bitter that quarrel may have been, or how hollow the reconciliation we cannot tell. When I think of Mortimer Tregennis, with the foxy face and the small shrewd, beady eyes behind the spectacles, he is not a man whom I should judge to be of a particularly forgiving disposition."

Multiple murderers? How very un-Occam of you, Holmes. I did entertain the possibility for myself for a little while. But if he did the first one he must have been in league with the second murderer, or at least close enough that they knew what he'd done. (By second murderer, I mean lion guy. Unless it turns out to be the housekeeper getting revenge. The only other option is the vicar and he'd have to be supremely arrogant to have brought both crimes to Holmes' attention).

Also, we've been through how you shouldn't judge people's characters based on their appearance, well, not their facial features.

But yeah, this all lines up with what I was saying at the start before Lion guy showed up.

I had heard the click of the garden gate, and now the majestic figure of the great African explorer appeared upon the path.

In my head, this guy is literally just an anthropomorphic lion.

For a moment I wished that I were armed. Sterndale's fierce face turned to a dusky red, his eyes glared, and the knotted, passionate veins started out in his forehead, while he sprang forward with clenched hands towards my companion. Then he stopped, and with a violent effort he resumed a cold, rigid calmness, which was, perhaps, more suggestive of danger than his hot-headed outburst.

This is the sign of an entirely rational and calm human being.

"I have lived so long among savages and beyond the law," said he, "that I have got into the way of being a law to myself. You would do well, Mr. Holmes, not to forget it, for I have no desire to do you an injury."

Yep...

He's clearly in no way a danger to society.

Absolutely not. I would feel completely safe in his presence.

I do not understand why he has such a strong and obvious reaction to the first bit, then attempts to back pedal and be all 'No idea what you're talking about'.

I mean, I do get it, but I don't get why he thinks it's going to work. As previously stated he absolutely should keep asserting that he has no idea what they are talking about. But it's such a transparent ploy after he's already lost his cool.

"I saw no one." "That is what you may expect to see when I follow you."

This line goes hard.

I love it.

Ninja Sherlock

🥷

"Yes, Brenda Tregennis," repeated our visitor. "For years I have loved her. For years she has loved me. There is the secret of that Cornish seclusion which people have marvelled at. It has brought me close to the one thing on earth that was dear to me. I could not marry her, for I have a wife who has left me for years and yet whom, by the deplorable laws of England, I could not divorce."

ACD's war against the British divorce laws continues. I have tried to look up the history of divorce law in the UK, but it is an incredibly tangled web that I do not have the inclination to untangle at this time. Although I just learnt that until 2012 people in this country couldn't get married before 8am or after 6pm. Weird.

I think we can all agree, though, that ACD thought the divorce laws were bloody stupid and he was right.

On the outside was written "Radix pedis diaboli" with a red poison label beneath it. He pushed it towards me. "I understand that you are a doctor, sir. Have you ever heard of this preparation?" "Devil's-foot root!"

"The root is shaped like a foot, half human, half goatlike; hence the fanciful name given by a botanical missionary."

But how tho?

Which half? I don't understand how you can have half of each of these... does it have toes? Is it a hoof? How? I cannot work out what this would look like at all.

Does it have five little hoof toes?

I don't understand.

"Among other things I exhibited this powder, and I told him of its strange properties, how it stimulates those brain centres which control the emotion of fear, and how either madness or death is the fate of the unhappy native who is subjected to the ordeal by the priest of his tribe."

Mortimer. Mortimer, Mortimer, Mortimer. You're dead, so I guess this doesn't really matter now, but you don't... take the incredibly obvious poison from the incredibly mentally unhinged man and then use it when he's still in the country. Not when it has such obvious and unique effects. This is what is called Bad Planning and Obvious.

It's like you wanted him to kill you. Is that victim blaming? probably. But you're also a murderer, so... does it balance out?

Also, Mr Lion Man, don't... tell people about your weird crazy poisons and then follow it up with 'also you could kill people with it in this country and law enforcement would never be able to detect it, lol.' Especially not if you're suspicious of the guy.

So many bad decisions in this story.

"I well remember how he plied me with questions as to the amount and the time that was needed for its effect, but I little dreamed that he could have a personal reason for asking."

Yeah, because that's a really unsuspicious line of questioning.

'So, this undetectable horrific poison. How much would I need to use... hypothetically, of course... to like... kill three people. In a room the size of... ooh, say my siblings' card room? And how long would it take? Just asking... out of curiosity. No reason other than purely scientific interest. I'd never actually kill anyone with it. Bu-ut if I wanted to...'

Lion man... you should not be allowed access to hazardous materials. Your OSHA compliance is poor. That needs to be in a locked poison cabinet. You shouldn't be handling it without PPE and you definitely shouldn't be letting untrained and unvetted people in there.

"My soul cried out for revenge. I have said to you once before, Mr. Holmes, that I have spent much of my life outside the law, and that I have come at last to be a law to myself."

But sure, he can get off because he was killing the first murderer... I guess. I'm not as sympathetic towards him as I've been towards previous people. Maybe because he doesn't strike me as the kind of person for whom this was his first or last kill. His reaction to Holmes seems like he's prepared to just murder anyone who gets in his way. Previously the people Holmes has let go have been people who killed as a last desperate attempt to free themselves or were pushed too far past their breaking point in one instance.

This guy just... seems like he wouldn't bat an eyelid at killing again. And again. And again. For far less reason.

"And now, my dear Watson, I think we may dismiss the matter from our mind and go back with a clear conscience to the study of those Chaldean roots which are surely to be traced in the Cornish branch of the great Celtic speech.”

I still think this is nonsense, but sure. I have discovered that apparently someone somewhere apparently wrote Holmes' paper on the subject and published it in 1998. Which is a thing.

Thanks Watson for warning me against poisoning myself. I'll bear that in mind. Perhaps you could take your own medical advice?

[admiralsweko]

Rhyiona Week 2023 Day Five

Prompt: Legend

Cross My Heart

You, I can make you love me

Even when I take it all -- Always by Great Good Fine OK

He’d heard the stories. They echoed in his ears, even now, as he delved deeper into the woods. According to the tales Rhys had known most of his life, somewhere deep in this forest lay a spring, a wonder to behold and rumored to be the home of a nymph. It was said that kings and paupers alike used to visit the sacred site, offering any and all for a single boon.

Now, he was making the journey. 

Lost in thought, he fingered the patch over his left eye idly. He prayed that the stories were true. He had spent the last of his meager savings in an effort to track down this legend. Pulling his compass from the pocket of his doublet, he confirmed he was still headed in the correct direction. A short time later, he came upon his destination. 

Nature had reclaimed the marble columns that arched majestically around the perimeter of the little clearing, draping the solid white stone with choking green vines. Stepping around a toppled-over pillar, he surveyed the area. Bathed in sunlight streaming in from a break in the dense tree canopy overhead, the spring was an oasis of natural beauty. Patches of scarlet wild flowers dotted the thick carpet of grass underfoot, even sprouting in the cracks between the moss spotted boulders that lined the cerulean waters of the spring.

“Hello?” He called out, not truly expecting an answer. None came. 

Sliding his pack from his shoulder, he crouched to dig inside the leather bag. From it, he withdrew the items necessary to complete the summoning ritual. 

Atop the flat surface of one of the rocks, he laid out the assortment: a small sachet, a pair of old coins, and a scrap of paper. With trembling fingers, he untied the knot that held the sachet closed. Spreading the leather out, a grim menagerie of objects were disclosed. He flinched at the sight of the tiny bird skull amid the dried herbs, fine powdery ash, and other small bones he hoped were of animal origin. Carefully, he placed the two coins on top, mindful the king’s bust faced downward as the witch that had set him on this path had strictly instructed.

He pulled his dirk from the sheath at his hip. Taking a deep shuddering breath, he steadied himself before slicing into his palm. He winced as the sharp edge of the blade bit into his skin with ease and hot, red blood welled quickly. His dripping hand hovering above the coins, he recited the words scrawled on the paper. 

The ritual complete, he looked around expectantly, but found he remained alone. With a defeated sigh, he shook the excess blood from his wound and leaned forward to rinse it off in the waters below. 

I should have known better, he admonished himself. Only a fool would go off chasing fairy tales. 

As he dipped his hand into the cool liquid, something wrapped around his wrist. Shocked, a startled sound escaped him and he tried to withdraw, taking whatever it was with him. 

Encircling his wrist was a delicate hand, slender feminine fingers with nails tipped in turquoise color. Unbelieving of his own eyes, he watched dumbstruck as a woman emerged gracefully from the depths of the spring. Water streamed down her body, splashing back into the pool with a melodious chime. Half submerged, she was a vision unlike anything he’d ever seen before.

Clothed in a swath of damp fabric, it draped artfully along her curves. Her bare skin shimmered, the water droplets clinging to her reflecting the sunlight. Long russet-colored hair lay over one shoulder, shot through with a fiery red streak of a similar shade to the wildflowers that grew nearby. Sparkling emerald eyes gazed at him. 

“My, my,” she spoke. “What do we have here?” 

She took in the bloodied display of items still laid neatly atop the rock. Her eyes met his once more and she raised a scarred brow. A soft smirk graced her ruby lips. Her voice was like music as she said, “This is some old magic for such a young thing like you.” 

“I– I–” he struggled to formulate a response. His mouth opened and closed as his brain stalled. “I came to see you,” he blurted.

A gentle tinkle of laughter escaped her as her smirk melted into a genuine smile. “Oh, sweetling. If you wanted me this badly, all you had to do was call upon me. Aww,” she cooed, her attention turning to the open wound sliced across his palm, ”Now you’ve gone and hurt yourself.” 

Belatedly, Rhys realized she still held his wrist in her grasp. He watched as she raised his hand to her lips and planted a soft kiss to his cut. When their eyes met again, his heart skipped a beat. Transfixed by her emerald gaze, time spun out, a moment stretching into eons. Distantly he was aware of a tingling sensation that zipped along his wound and up his arm. Tearing himself away from her bewitching stare, he withdrew his hand from her gentle grip, took a step back, and glanced down to see his cut had fully healed. A faint thin seam of a scar was the only indication it had been there at all. 

“Now, seeing as how you’ve gone to so much trouble to summon me,” she came forward and leaned against the rocks lining the edge of the pool. Propping herself up against the flat ledge of a boulder, she rested her chin in her palm and looked up at him with expectant amusement, “What brings you here?” 

“Uh, Um, of course,” he shook his head in an attempt to straighten his scattered thoughts. “M– M’lady, I, um, wanted— If it pleases you–” Out of his element, he stuttered over his words, “ I-I’ve heard tales of your generosity and I seek to implore upon your benevolence.” 

“Ah, but it has been quite some time since anyone has come to beseech me,” she said brightly. “Tell me. What can I do for you?”

Nervous, Rhys cleared his throat before explaining, “There is a maiden in my town. She has come of marriageable age. I seek to ask for her hand, but her father is a wealthy man. A merchant tradesmen of some repute. I fear he would not be impressed by my meager offerings, if I were to approach him now. Hence, I’ve traveled here to…” he trailed off, apprehension gnawing at his insides. Speaking his words out loud, he realized how fatuous it sounded. 

“You’ve come to me,” she filled in, “in hopes of a significant boon that might sway this man to see you as a choice candidate for his daughter's hand. But is this a question of love,” she asked, tilting her head inquisitively. “Do you care for this maiden?” 

“I’m not certain I understand,” he flushed at the inquiry, unsure as to how to answer. “What difference does it make?”

Her lips twisted into a strange smile. The expression vanished as quickly as it had appeared. She shrugged, “Truthfully, it matters not. I am just a curious creature.” A knowing look settled upon her graceful features. ”But no doubt this betrothal would benefit you greatly, with more than just a pretty wife?” 

“Y-Yes, my lady,” he admitted reluctantly. “If I were to succeed in this advantageous match, my limited prospects in life would broaden, that is true. So will you help me?” 

She was silent for a moment as she mulled it over. Her eyes narrowed as she searched his face. 

“Wait here,” she bade him before disappearing under the surface of the water. Left alone, he nervously awaited her return. 

She resurfaced once more, putting forth a cupped palm. Nestled in her hand was the largest pearl Rhys had laid eyes upon. Black in color, it shone with a hypnotizing iridescence.

“This should serve to impress your maiden’s father,” she said with a smirk.

Rhys nodded mindlessly as he reached out to take the shimmering pearl.

“Ah, ah,” she admonished, closing her fingers and pulling away. “If you’ve heard tales told of me, you will know that I don’t offer anything out of the goodness of my heart. What do you propose to exchange for this courtesy?”

“Of course, my lady. My apologies.” 

He hastily patted at his pockets before remembering the pack at his feet. He bent to it and withdrew a small velvet pouch. Loosening the drawstring, he unfolded the cloth to reveal a delicate filigreed hair comb of fine wire, studded with small sparkling stones. 

“This was my late grandmother’s,” he explained. “Although not valuable in coin, it is of great sentimental worth to me. It is all I have to offer.” 

“Hmm,” she pondered, her eyes on the comb. Anticipation quickened the drum of his heart. “Yes, I believe this will suffice.”

Relief washed over him, immediately followed by a heady sense of excitement. They exchanged their goods; Rhys taking the pearl into the velvet sachet recently vacated by his grandmother’s comb. Wrapping it up, he tucked the treasure into his pack.

“Thank you, my lady,” he nodded respectfully, desperately trying to keep his excitement hidden under the veneer of manners.

“The pleasure was mine,” she said, “And please, call me Fiona.” 

“I’m honored to have met you… Fiona.”

“And what, pray tell, is your name, most intrepid sir,” she asked, a chuckle in her tone.

“Rhys, uh, my name is Rhys.” 

“Ah, Rhys," she smiled beatifically, her face lighting as she spoke his name out loud, “That’s lovely. Well, I wish you good fortune with your impending engagement.” 

With a wave of her hand, she slipped soundlessly beneath the surface of the water once more. 

()()()

Stumbling through the underbrush, Rhys panted as he came upon the spring. 

“Fiona!” he bellowed the nymph’s name angrily. Despite the week’s span that had unfolded since his disgrace, the bitterness was still fresh. Every step he’d taken on his journey back to this oasis further reminded him of the rube he was and the rebuff he had suffered.  

He called out once more, his hands at fists by his sides. 

“Well, hello again, Rhys.” In the space of a blink, she pushed up from the watery depths,  appearing even more captivating than he remembered. “I can’t say I expected–”

“You played me for a fool,” he interrupted her. Pulling the small velvet sachet from his pocket, he opened it. Inside, the great shining pearl he’d so admired had transformed into a damp, shiny brown lump. He cast aside the offending mass against the rocks of her pool, where the thick clump of wet mud splattered along the side of a boulder. 

“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”

“I suppose the proposal didn’t quite go as planned.” Amusement danced in her eyes. 

“I was humiliated. Alyssandra’s father laughed in my face when I asked for her hand.” Defeat rounded his shoulders. “She’s– she’s been betrothed to another.” 

“Alas, it was for the best, I imagine. You didn’t want to marry that girl,” she stated matter-of-factly ”No matter the advantages such a match might have presented, I saved you from a lifetime of boredom."

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sighed resignedly. His anger ebbed away in the face of the truth. As much as he was loath to admit it, she was right. The memory of the half hour he’d spent in the company of the dull-witted young woman he’d so bent on marrying haunted him. 

“I suppose you want me to thank you, then,” he said sarcastically. “For your good deed?” 

An imperious smirk graced the nymph’s beautiful face. “A little gratitude would be welcomed.”

Unable to contain his exasperation, he rolled his eyes. “I’ve returned to retrieve my grandmother’s comb. Let’s have it.”

“No,” she flatly refused. Her hand reached up to the comb nestled in her hair behind her ear, fingers tracing the little glass stones tenderly. “The deal was struck. You received your boon. It matters not if you were unsatisfied after the fact. I, on the other hand, am quite pleased with our trade.” 

“But you tricked me!” he snapped, irritation spiking once more. 

“That’s a harsh way to put it,” she admonished playfully. “In the end, our trade was a barter for objects of equal value. I was merely less forthcoming as to the quality of my item as you were of yours.”  

“Fine,” he scoffed, outmatched. Frustrated at her arrogance, he threw his hands up and turned to leave.

“Rhys, wait,” she called out, causing him to hesitate. “I’m not completely heartless. Since you’ve come all this way, perhaps we can broker another exchange. Perchance for something more appealing than some silly girl’s favor or a worthless trinket?”

Everything within him screamed that he should continue on his way and forget this place even existed. But he found himself turning to face her once more. 

“What could you possibly have to offer me after all this,” he implored wearily, gesturing to the muddied rock. 

“Your eye.”

Instinctively, he reached up, his fingers brushing against the smooth leather of his patch. Her unexpected overture gave him pause. 

“How can I be assured that you won’t trick me again?”

“You can’t,” she stated plainly, “You’ll just have to trust me. But what have you got to lose?”

He was silent for a moment as he pondered that fact. Finally, he asked, “What would you want in exchange?” 

“Ah, therein lies the real question, my dear,” her head tipped as she lifted a brow. “What can you offer me?” 

He raised his hands in surrender, “Alas, I have nothing of any importance to give. As you know, I am a poor man, in coin and title.” 

“I don’t want your coin, boy,” she scoffed, “What good would coin do me, out here in these wilds?” She extended her arms to take in the expanse of forest that surrounded them. “No,” she shook her head as that honeyed smile quirked her lips once more. “I want something you haven’t given another soul.” 

Despite himself, his curiosity stirred, tempered by a fair amount of caution. “And what, pray tell, could that be?”

“All in due time,” she laughed merrily. “First, that eye of yours.” 

She dove beneath the surface of the pool. Rhys waited, his anxiety telling him to turn tail and run. Before he could heed his better judgment, however, she resurfaced. In her hand, she held a small clay salve pot. She tossed it to him and he caught it. 

“Apply that to your eye every night before sleep. It will give you wicked dreams but by the time the salve is gone, you will have sight in your eye once more.” 

“Th–Thank you,” he said, hesitantly as he tucked the little pot in his pocket. “Now, what do you want in return?”

“Come closer,” she beckoned.

She glided up to the rocky perimeter of the spring and leaned out over the flat surface of a boulder. From her perch, he could glimpse translucent patches of iridescent scales that shimmered in the sunlight along her skin, revealing her true nature. Confronted with this reminder that he was dealing with no ordinary woman, his eyes narrowed as he held his ground.

“Come, come,” she urged him forward, curling a finger at him.

Cautiously, he stepped closer to the edge of the pool. Still she beckoned him lower, until finally he dropped to one knee before her. Now, face to face, her eyes sparkled mesmerizingly. The sweet smile on her lips soothed his wild nerves.

“What is it that you require in return?” he asked again softly. 

“Just a kiss,” she replied, the very picture of enchanting innocence. 

Confused, his brows pulled together for a moment. “But I thought you desired something I had never given another,” he reminded her. 

“I do.”

Amusement suffused him and he smiled. “This may surprise you, my lady, but I have given a kiss before.”

“I have no doubt as to your prowess with fair maidens,” she said sardonically, “but a kiss is what I require.” 

Puzzled by her request, he searched her expression for any hint of subterfuge. She gazed back at him guilelessly. 

Finally, he conceded, “As you wish, my lady.” 

He leaned forward slowly. As the space between them shortened, he watched her intently, wary of any treachery. With none forthcoming, he proceeded to press a soft, chaste kiss to her lips. He was withdrawing quickly when she grabbed a handful of the front of his doublet, halting his progress. 

“Hmm,” she hummed skeptically. A wicked gleam shone in her gaze. “I think we can do better than that.” 

Before he could react, she pulled him in again. His eyes widened as she kissed him fully. Her lips were cold against his, a sensation he hadn’t registered on that initial contact. She brought her other hand to his cheek, the chill making him gasp in shock. In great contrast, her tongue was hot as it slipped into his mouth, a warm, slick caress that shook him to his core. 

Instantly bewitched, he was completely at her mercy. His eyes drifted closed as he yielded to her. Sensing his surrender, she retreated and nipped at his lower lip. The unexpected scrape of her teeth against that sensitive surface drew a hushed grunt of pleasure and surprise from him. Quickly, she ran her tongue over the nibble, soothing as well as coaxing him to meet her advancement. Enticed, he obeyed, uniting with her once more in a velvety harmony that set his blood aflame. With every thunderous heartbeat, he succumbed even further to the torrid, wet magic of her kiss. It was true, he had been kissed before, but the memories of those hasty or hesitant exchanges melted away in the feverishness of this connection. 

When she finally relented, he found himself panting for air like a drowning man. Still holding him close, she pressed her forehead to his and laughed breathlessly. “I’d say that’s a good start.” 

“For–for what?” he asked, his thoughts still scattered. 

“Oh, my dear sweet Rhys,” she purred his name, causing the hair on the nape of his neck to stand. “You see, this kiss wasn’t my payment. At least, not in full.” She looked him deeply in the eyes as her thumb brushed against his lips. Her other hand unclenched from his doublet, her palm spreading flat against his chest. “For your end of the bargain, you have to give me your heart.” 

“My-My what?” Crashing back to his senses, he was horrified. Quickly, he pulled away from her. In his haste,  he lost his balance, landing on his rear with a thud. Gaining his feet, he stumbled away, trying to put distance between them. 

“Don’t be so alarmed, sweet one,” she chuckled. “I speak only figuratively. I intend you no harm.”

“Wha–” he scrambled to understand, “What is the meaning of this?” 

She shrugged as she smiled that wicked grin, merriment shining in her eyes. “A goddess is only as powerful as when she is worshiped, Rhys. And it hurts to be forgotten. This ensures you’ll never forget me.” 

“ But– But how does one kiss equal my heart?” he demanded. 

“As I said, darling, it’s a start.”

Pushing away from the rocks and into the water, she lengthened herself out to float along the surface of her pool. Arms lazily stroking through the clear blue waters, she was the embodiment of carefree elegance. 

Head tipped back, she looked to the sky as she continued, “Soon, you will find I am always in the back of your mind. Your body will ache for my touch, your lips will yearn for my kiss. No matter where you go, you will long to return to me.” 

“Folly,” he spit out the word. Rekindled anger burned hot in his stomach. “I don’t know what your aim is, but I can assure you I have no intention of ever setting foot in these woods again.” 

Resolute in his conviction, he spun on his heel. 

“You’ll be back,” she sang out behind him. Her delighted laughter sounded musically in the air. 

Outraged, he rushed headlong into the surrounding forest. He rubbed the rear of his hand against his mouth in a vain attempt to scrub the events that had just unfolded away as he tried to reject the notion of her words from his thoughts. 

There was no truth to her proposition, he reassured himself. It’s all just the mad contrivances of a nefarious sprite bent on toying with me.

Even as he repeated the conviction endlessly, a seed of dissent blossomed in the back of his mind. The remembered warmth of her kiss burned like a fire across his nerves, the heady rush of her tongue as it tangled with his own lingered. Hopelessly vexed, he desperately pushed down the bittersweet memory of her lips against his and hurried on his way.

[wri0thesley]

oooh Nat you look absolutely wonderful, I love the dress! You look like a magnificent raven (highest praise from me) with that shorter layer on top!! and I can imagine how majestic it's gonna look with the sleeves <3

i do not like my arms and i was INSISTENT i did not want a strapless dress (clown music) so i was SO happy they said they could add cute little off the shoulder sleeves for me!!! ;w;

the first bridal consultant i spoke to when i tried the dress on was like 'oh, yeah, the dress has built in cups you'll be fine you won't need a bra!' but, alas, as it turns out i am Heavier In The Chest than expected (even when my chest can be seen) and i need to buy a strapless bra just for the extra support, so that is Going To Be A Challenge!!! (strapless bras v big ole honkers, fight). but i was terrified i would go in and HATE it after not seeing it for ages but! i do not think i do! waaa. i am so excited to WEAR IT and FINALLY marry haz!!! we are getting married on our eleven year anniversary which is WILD!!!

Anonymous asked: you look so beautiful in your dress!!

waa thank you beloved anon!!!!

Anonymous asked: NAT YOU WERE DESTINED TO WEAR THAT DRESS OH MY GOD YOU LOOK SO GORGEOUS 😭😭😭

aaahsdfvjhbfd thank you anon!!! i am very glad i went for black. i know it is not traditional weddingy but when else will i get to wear a black dress with a train!!!!

Anonymous asked: HOLY you look so good in that dress ahhHhhHhhh you suit that dress perfectly

thank you anon!!! ;w; i am so excited to be able to try it on with everything (i do not have my veil yet!!!). my very last fitting when i get to take it home is on april 12th and then thirteen days after that i will be Married!!!!

Anonymous asked: I’m too shy to comment so you don’t have to respond to this but your dress is absolutely stunning and you look so good in it! Genuinely such a pretty dress and it’s perfect on you

i love you anon i am tenderly holding you!!! i didnt actually try on many dresses and i was having big fear that i didnt try on enough, that i chose something i didnt want (strapless), that i should have tried on more styles (i didnt want a mermaid dress but maybe i should have tried one on etc etc) and that i should have gotten a white dress but . . . seeing it again in person and finally in black made me feel a lot better!!!!

Anonymous asked: CHUBBY ARMS OR NOT YOU LOOK LOVELY!!!

my arms are chubby to give better hugs to my beloved

Anonymous asked: you’re gorgeous! i’m so jealous of your body too like you’re chubby in terms of being like curvy snd pretty while I just look lumpy and gross lol

anon i am absolutely SURE that is untrue!!! all chubby bodies are beautiful and valid actually but also they are your bodies so they are extra good!!!!

[itsnotunfinisheditsmystyle]

waking up w amnesia, darkolai :pleading face: dealer's choice on who has the amnesia i think they're both fascinating options

It's objectively not very shippy but I always loved the idea of Nikolai not managing to escape the Grand Palace during the siege at the end of Siege and Storm... Maybe Alina managed to leave with the Tsar and Tsaritsa to go to the Spinning Wheel, and Nikolai was left behind at he Darkling's mercy... Waking up with amnesia! Darkolai

A fleeting memory came to Nikolai’s mind as he groggily woke up. A stiflingly hot day of summer during his childhood, and a careless ride on top of a horse much bigger than he should have been allowed to ride, but nobody had been paying attention. And then, of course, the inevitable fall, and the subsequent splitting headache.

That headache had been a thousand times better than the one he was currently sporting. What had he been doing? Oh Saint, he had been aboard the Volkvolny, what if he had fallen off the crow’s nest? No he probably wouldn’t have survived that, his head was thick but not that thick. Perhaps he had just fallen off his hammock then. Wouldn’t be the first time. The humiliation was usually worse than the pain, though.

“Awake at last?”

The smooth voice wasn’t unfamiliar, but considering where he was supposed to be, it was unexpected. Nikolai finally blinked away his heavy sleep and frowned to try and focus through his headache, surveying his surroundings. He wasn’t on the Volkvolny. He was… Where was he? It was a superb bedroom, with majestic wood carvings all over the walls depicting scenes of the wild. The sheets in which he was laying were completely black, and sinfully soft. And by his side, the owner of the voice, was—

“General?” he hiccuped in surprise, taking in the leader of the Second Army. “I— What am I doing here?”

There was a minute change in the Darkling’s expression but it was gone before he could even think to analyse it. 

“Do you not remember the siege?”

He sat up in alarm immediately, his heart stuttering.

“What siege?”

Where? On the Grand Palace? How was he even back? He only came back during the summer break, to keep up the pretence that he was at university— Saints, the more he tried to think, the worse his headache got.

“The attack on the Grand Palace. You were injured… Are you having trouble remembering?”

He was glad he was with someone he trusted, someone he had watched in his Father’s councils for years, toiling away for their country, because who knew what could have happened if he had shown this weakness in front of someone else. He shook his head slightly, rubbing his hands over his face.

“I— I’m not sure. Are my parents— Are the Tsaritsa and the Tsar safe? What about my brother? Are we—” he looked around at the unfamiliar round once more. “Are we in hiding? Did we lose?” Did he get hit on the head? The Darkling mentioned an injury, but he couldn’t feel pain anywhere else but his head, aside from general soreness all over.

“No, moi tsarevich, those are my bedchambers,”

His surprise took over for a second, raising his eyebrows at the man who couldn’t even hide his amusement.

“It seemed the safest option while our respective armies finish rooting out the traitors and lingering enemies,”

“And my family?”

“I was… hoping you’d tell me, actually,”

Well, that was a damn shame, because he couldn’t tell much right now. Traitors? Enemies? Who had organised the siege? Had it been a coup, a foreign attack, a riot? Again, the pain shot through his skull and he curled upon himself with a groan.

“You sent your parents away on a flying ship—”

That was enough to make him perk up again.

“It worked?! Wait— It’s just supposed to be a prototype, it’s not safe—” how much time had passed since his last memory? Maybe it was safe. Would he have put his mother on it if it wasn’t? Maybe if there hadn’t been any other options… No, he would have found another solution. “I’m really sorry, I just can’t seem to… Didn’t I tell anyone where I sent them?” An awful oversight, really.

“Moi tsarevich… There is much to tell you. Traitors were revealed within the closest circles of the royal family, you couldn’t trust anyone. You did the right thing,” Reassuring, and followed by a pale hand resting above one of his own that still clutched at the blanket. It was grounding, as were the silver eyes carefully trained on him. “You have a lot of forethought. I’m sure you already had safe places at the ready. Do you remember those?”

Did he? Of course, of course he did. He nodded, already going through the list in his head. There was his ship, of course, but that would mean crossing the Fold, so that wasn’t an option. Then the closest one would be the Spinning Wheel. He could tell the General how to get there, and they would be able to retrieve his family without issues. 

“It’s in the mountains, an old observatory. I can— I can show you on a map, if you have one,” He tried to get out of bed, a bit too quickly, and found his legs too weak to support him.

He let out an embarrassed noise as the General had to catch him by the arm to stabilise him. When he looked up at him, the light caught his youthful face differently, revealing the silver sheen of deep scars across his face. Nikolai’s mouth gaped a little, he was sure the General hadn’t looked like that before, and how could he not have noticed until right now? His head hurt so much—

“It has been a dreadful last few months for Ravka, moi tsarevich,” the shadow summoner drawled, easily understanding what Nikolai was looking at. “But it will soon be over,” he added somberly, helping him walk across the room. 

“Was it a coup? Or the Fjerdans? The Shu? A riot? Civil war?”

“I don’t suppose you remember the Sun Summoner?”

He stumbled, cursed himself inwardly for that.

“I— No, I don’t,” he could have said it was just a myth, but the General hardly seemed in the mood to talk about religion, metaphors and myths. Tamar and Tolya had believed the sun summoner would appear one day— Had they been right? But then the coup… Could it be that the sun summoner was behind it?

“I will tell you everything, moi tsarevich,” the General promised, his grip on his arm Nikolai’s only anchor as the world kept swimming out of focus. They reached what he could only identify as a war room, a large map splayed on the table. “But first we must focus on your family. Show me on the map where you believe you sent them,” 

Nikolai nodded and laid a hand on the edge of the table first. He was stable enough to stand on his own now, but he did not shake off the Darkling’s hand on him. After taking a moment to examine the map, he pointed out the location of the Spinning Wheel.

[jonasiegenthaler]

hi! since the off season is dragging and i miss the devils - what are you favorite moments for each player (or select players) from this season, not just goals or plays but an interview, soundbite, off ice moment, anything

(missing pk big time because he always posted fun team content)

hiya anon, this was a fun one, thank you! this got, Long, so i'm gonna put it all under the cut (alphabetized, not ranked, and definitely not comprehensive)

kevin: 

not like one thing in particular but playing more regularly this season! especially the second half

yanking multiple guys around casually

this was more last season but there’s a bunch of guys in utica that, every time he goes over the boards for a shift, chant a call-and-response of “who’s out?” “bahls out!” and it is beautiful

nate: 

the video of him and johnny in seattle

this one of him nearly getting taken out by a football

also he’s seen the memes he loves the love

boqy: 

a lil cuddle, or two, or three

i’ve always said he’s the devils’ morgan frost so i’m just very glad he’s found some semblance of a role this season he’s very neat to me

bratter: 

hatty! 

big hat hat!

him and nico reaching milestones together talking about how special it was,

more cuddles

notably too cute to be good at chirping

gravy: 

carshield commercials - ïf you don’t call now, your wife should stop loving you.”

for some reason his goal in the oilers game early in the season stands out? keeping the winning streak alive!

smacking nico’s ass on a driveby

[30 seconds of uncomfortably polite staring as the sm admin waits for him to complete the heart]

dougie: 

the six flags promo, wild that that was this season it feels like ages ago. 

those few games where we kept going 4v3 in ot and dougie just kept scoring gwgs, iconic, showstopping. 

fully lifting bratter like a foot? off the ice? 

herding a flock of dudes 

signing off the camera with a “hi grandma”. 

floor time!

the movie re-enactments? wheres his oscar

haula: 

“this is where i want to be. this is my family” <3

single handedly bringing us timo.

getting hit with a chicken finger

facing the other way on the bench when we went to shootouts (one of us).

laughing curling up on the floor instant fetal position

nico: 

there’s. so much. because i’m nothing if not biased. 

“i’ve just got a good feeling” 

pumping up the crowd 

selke finalist! career high in goals, assists, points! 

being absolutely dominant in the rangers series. 

game 5 nico chants! 

[gestures vaguely at 1386 tag] 

having the time of his life with some kids toys

marner’s “i felt good until nico decided to take me for a walk” 

“siegyyyy! don’t worry everyone siegy is here!” <3 

“let’s not forget to have fun. stick together. whatever happens.” + all the pre/post game speeches during the playoffs. 

nate talking about how nico made him feel like he belonged + so much more

“he cares more about his teammates than probably does about himself”

timo facetiming him because he was anxious about the trade 

jack

“oh shit :d”

hatty!

devils win for hanukkah :) 

“yeah i knew that”

“those are quinn’s boys so--”

whatever him and pk were on at all-star weekend

“i want that record”

“we are off on our chemistry today, hey?”

looney tunes ass fall

[gestures vaguely again at 1386 tag]

nothing but respect for my lady byng finalist

the dance

all the hugs

luke

first goal! ot winner!

dream dinner guests: julius caesar and george washington + getting chirped about it by dawson

the entire exit interview, all of it - messy but working on it (lie, probably), doesn’t know what day it is, hasn’t retained a thought for more than 5 seconds, fidgety

marino

[looking at a children’s toy] look i’m not not saying this looks like a bong

him and gravy giggling after they pushed pally off the ice

dawson

the players tribune article

hatty!

setting the franchise record in consecutive games with a goal

the hair, it’s majestic

yegor

santagovich

a pet bird, named ham

throwing shit at sevo

messing with the camera lights during bratter’s interview

messing with tuna during his interview

vv

made friends with a bird :) 

consistently referring to himself as “the vitek”

every time akira makes a big save vitek gives huge taps over the board <3

[denimbex1986]

'If last week was frantic, fast, and offering a wide open welcome mat to Doctor Who fans new and old, Wild Blue Yonder felt like a demonstration of what the show can do and has done. First half hour? Good. Second half hour? Great.

We left the Doctor and Donna – David Tennant and Catherine Tate – in a TARDIS out of control at the end of last week’s The Star Beast. Wild Blue Yonder, the middle part of the 60th anniversary trilogy of Doctor Who, initially took things from there just via, er, 1666. Bonus points if you were instantly trying to work out if we were in the territory of the bubonic plague or the Great Fire Of London when that date popped up on screen.

Turns out, neither. In a tip of the hat to how much more money the show has its disposal, it was all a set up for a gag about gravity. Respect. Russell T Davies has just told the year’s most expensive dad joke.

But, post credits, this was at its best top tier Russell T Davies Doctor Who.

It was bold early.

Wild Blue Yonder robbed the Doctor very early in the story of two of his most potent pieces of equipment: his trusty sonic screwdriver, and his TARDIS. Both gone, minutes after the majestic blue box had been belching out massive flames. I was expecting, at that stage, more fast and furious stuff. Turns out I got quite the opposite.

he first effect of taking the TARDIS away was to give some time to settle and actually spend some time with the Doctor and Donna. The pair were running around so much in the fast-paced The Star Beast last week, that stopping for a proper chat was out of the question.

Here, that was happily remedied.

In fact, the episode itself was slower, calmer and really crept up the longer it went. Like a slow moving robot going along a corridor. Doctor Who the show may have new clothes and new resources, but I like Davies established that for all that, it’s still a show where the brakes matter. When you go slower, the impact can double.

The basics: we got an apparently abandoned spaceship that itself presents mysteries, and a posh remote camera to help explore it. But for the Doctor, something unfamiliar: a lack of stars, the edge of creation, a hundred trlllion years from Earth. Where even the Time Lord hadn’t been before, and seemingly didn’t know what to expect.

A bit of licking (yep) and joshing later, and out came a dash of Everything Everywhere All At Once. Extended arms that I thought were going to be played for comedy (and there were chuckles in the episode). But Davies wrongfooted me again, continually shifting the foundations of tone: turns out that if you’re looking to come up with a really creepy foe for David Tennant to face off against, you can do a lot worse than recruit David Tennant and Catherine Tate. It took a while, but I started to get Midnight vibes from it all, and that’s a very high Who bar.

It did take me a little time to settle though, and I’m about to pen a couple of churlish paragraphs for which the internet should hate me. Deep breath, here goes.

It does seem odd to note some of the effects work on Doctor Who, given what many of us grew up with. But the future craft on which the Doctor and Donna landed looked like it was made with a computer, and it didn’t look like they were there. It’s an odd side effect of the budget of the show, and being able to consistently afford nice things: the nice things are in turn held to a higher standard.

I feel weird typing that paragraph about Doctor Who. But for a moment, and this doesn’t usually happen, it took me out of things. I was back in for the most bizarre chase sequence I’ve seen all year, mind. And I happily watched the show without murmur of complaint throughout the 1980s. I’m clearly a spoilt whingebag.

Nice tip of the hat to Thunderbirds at one point. Let me get out of this hole by recognising that.

I bring all that up because in the first half of Wild Blue Yonder I was noticing stuff like that. In the second, I was absolutely gripped. When the Doctor and Donna properly went head-to-head with the Doctor and Donna? Well, with huge applause to the two actors at the heart of it, I became more and more unnerved. In a good way.

It’s like the shoot-out in something like the classic movie For A Few Dollars More, with two people working the other out, taking turns to take shots. Metaphorical ones here, as each explains whether the other was real or not.

Loved that.

As the episode went on, just where the floor of reality sat became less and less clear. Related: the more ambiguous Wild Blue Yonder became, it all became richer. Even when David Tennant’s head basically poked out of his own arse (it didn’t, but it looked like that), I was engrossed by what was going on..

Coming up with a Doctor Who monster to really get under our skin is a challenge in itself, especially now. Having Tennant and Tate just staring, with a half grin? Well, they’ve outgunned The Meep to my eyes.

Let’s take a moment too to consider the whole Gallifrey got “complicated” aside.

It’s a brief line from the Doctor that he utters, and he ain’t bloody kidding. Like it or not, the Chris Chibnall era of Doctor Who made a lot of Gallifrey (far more than Davies was ever inclined to do in his first run at Who), and anyone picking up those threads was always going to facing, well, let’s go with ‘a challenge’.

However, thrown into the mix here – although whether to believe it is a question in itself – is that the Doctor perhaps isn’t as sure of his roots as we’ve been led to believe. Might he not be from Gallifrey? Is it really possible that Davies has found something else in the character’s origin, six decades on? This is also picking up the mantle of The Timeless Child, introduced during the 13th Doctor’s era.

Will Davies choose to run with it? As the Time Lord himself once said, “time will tell. It always does”.

As much as Russell T Davies is a whizz at delivering a one-hour blockbuster episode of the show, he’s also proven he’s capable of offbeat, weird and unpredictable stories. I’m going to namecheck Midnight again, because – unexpectedly – it feels to me like an ideal companion piece for Wild Blue Yonder. Midnight-ish, on a bigger canvas, with the slowest ticking bomb Who has probably ever seen.

I thought it was terrific.

Credit too to director Tom Kingsley, and enormous applause for just how strong the work of Catherine Tate and David Tennant was here.

But the final word goes to one man: Bernard Cribbins. The last scenes that he shot for Doctor Who, just before we lost him in 2022, ended the episode. I thought that was a lovely, lovely touch. Sure, there was a massive plane above his head, but the ultimate focus was, rightly, on a much-missed actor. How fitting that the episode was dedicated to him. I can’t have been the only one with dust in my eye.

Next week, this trio of specials comes to an end with The Giggle. The trailer promises much. I’d suggest Wild Blue Yonder has set an early high bar for this latest era of Doctor Who.

Now, if you don’t mind, I’m off to watch it again. And to tip my hat to Bernard one more time…'

[branches-in-a-flood]

@hookedhobbies I told you I would write a weird review of each deer species I've worked with the next time I was drinking, so here we go.

It is neither good nor coherent, but should give you some Vibes for each of them.

Eld's Deer - overall they were chill and didn't come super close while I was in the field. Except for one stupid little shit that thought all humans needed to die. I wish I could remember his name, but we always had to have one person on the lookout for him so the other could escape if needed. Cool little deer with a unique curve to their antlers, with a prominent brow tine.

Pere David's Deer - One of my favorite deer species I've worked with. Very strange creatures. Also known as the Milu - or creature of four parts (I believe the horse, ox, deer, and deer?) “The hooves of a cow but not a cow, the neck of a camel but not a camel, antlers of a deer but not a deer, the tail of a donkey but not a donkey.” per Wikipedia. They do look ungainly. When I was working with them we had a cow that was relentlessly harassed by the rest of the herd so we knocked her down for an exam and it turned out she had a really gnarly abortion that had partially mummified and was infected. Nothing prepares you for the smell of septic fetus as you're pulling a jaw bone out of a 400 lb deer.

Bactrian Deer - I actually don't remember a ton about these guys - we had a large herd in one of the several thousand acre pens, so I didn't see them a lot. Physically very similar to elk or red deer. They seemed fairly wild and majestic. There was one that had been orphaned and bottle raised that we unofficially called Bullet. Because we would likely have to shoot him one day to aggression. (Bottle raised large ungulates tend to uh. Not Be Normal.)

Sika Deer - don't remember much about them in general, just leaping out of an F150 at 15 miles per hour to catch a fawn that needed an ear tag. Relatively small sized deer, spotted, pretty cute.

White-Tailed Deer - Like if a labradoodle became a deer. I don't really mean that as a compliment. Not very smart, but friendly and loved being scratched. Delicious if properly seasoned.

Fallow Deer - head empty, but very friendly. Easily trainable with food. There is a feral population bearish where I live. We came upon them once while training some off track thoroughbreds. That was a ride.

Axis Deer - like the stag from Bambi in personality, but not in stature. Majestic, better than you, would not Deign to interact with a common human. Also flightly AF. Prone to stress, there was once a massacre.

Barasingha - my beloved. Gigantic, improbable ears. Made for living in swamps. Make very silly snort scream squeak noises. Gorgeous red orange coloring. EDIT I forgot to add in that I just fucking love their scientific name: Rucervus duvaucelii. It's fun to say.

Elk - probably my favorite. Forest guardian spirit, neither benevolent nor malevolent. Hold an intelligence that I did not see in the other deer (maybe the pere David's, but honestly they trended toward the eldritch). The girls I worked with were all trainable, but only if they saw the benefit to what we were doing. It helps that the oldest cow loved me and would follow me along the fence line if I was doing other work.

[owl127]

Exactly! Sorry if it’s weird but my brain said so lol

They think she’s just a wolf so she’s stuck in the zoo

@white_pelt_queen_wolf

Congrats to our amazing team for rescuing this majestic wolf! Queen was rescued three months ago after being mistakenly shot by a hunter. With her size and pelt, the hunter didn’t think it was a wolf! She’s extremely intelligent, a pack leader, and larger than usual for her species. Our team worked hard to make sure she was healthy before moving her to the Mammal Predators exhibition. Come visit her at the Northwestern Wildlife Zoo!  #northwesterninstitute  #northwesternzoo #wolves #savethewolves 

It wasn’t always that Lexa had the opportunity to wear a suit. Their pack rarely meddled with humans, but when the opportunity arose, she enjoyed the touch of soft fabric over her muscles and tattoos. She would have been enjoying it more as she and Raven walked into the Northwestern Wildlife Institute if it weren’t for her rapidly beating heart.

Clarke was there. She could feel it, a soft presence of her scent wafting from both the research facility and the mammal exhibition corner of the attached zoo. Close, and yet so, so far. 

"Thank you for coming, Dr. Woods and Dr. Reyes," a polite woman said, shaking Lexa's hand briefly. "I’m Dr. Kayla, and I work with Professor Pike." She had been close to Clarke; Lexa could smell it in her skin. Raven cleared her throat and also shook the woman’s hand. 

"Thank you for having us." Raven had always been easier with humans, like most wolves from the Ark Clan. This plan was hers, and contrary to Lexa’s initial plan after they realized who had taken Clarke—which was basically infiltrate, kill, and rescue—this idea might work.

"I understand you want to take one of my wolves," a man called from inside the meeting room, his mustache smelling like old, bitter coffee. Lexa despised the fact that she could detect Clarke's scent on him. "And my favorite one, nonetheless," he amended, gesturing for Lexa and Raven to sit at the meeting table.

"We’ve come to realize that the wolf you captured is already a specimen from our facility," Raven stated, shaking her head at the coffee Dr. Kayla offered them. "As fellow researchers, you understand the importance of returning our specimen."

"She’s been here for months." Pike accepted his coffee, taking a long sip. Under the table, Lexa closed a tight fist in contained anger. "How is it that we’re hearing about you only now? She’s not chipped, she doesn’t have any scars from surgery before we got her, and..."

Lexa focused on her breathing, tightening her jaw so her canines wouldn’t expand and close around the insufferable man’s neck.

Clarke had gone missing while hunting in human territory; inadvisable, but she always enjoyed the thrill. They searched for her for weeks and weeks, with no success. It was Octavia who found her. While on Instagram, she came upon the click bait: Wolf steals kids’ ice cream at the zoo. And there was Clarke, in her white pelt glory, licking a scoop of strawberry ice cream from a kid who thought it was a good idea to jump inside the wolves' cage across the protection barrier. Clarke had kept him safe from the other wolves, and the kid shared his ice cream with her. They found out Clarke had her own Instagram account, @white_pelt_queen_wolf, with multiple videos and photos of the "wild wolf" with unusual behavior.

"I say all of this," Pike continued, and Lexa blinked at him, cringing at the smell of his cheap cologne, "because we’ve been getting threats from non-profits that think a wolf like Queen should be in the wild. "However, as you stated, Dr. Reyes, we understand the value of such a specimen to science and the contributions it can make to the entire species."

Queen. What once had been an intimate nickname between the mated couple sounded like a humiliation to Lexa’s ears now. 

"We are not requesting her to be released," Raven lied easily, "we want her to go back to her home environment. I’m sure there were instances where she demonstrated intense, stubborn behavior." Raven lifted her eyebrows, and Lexa had to suppress a smirk at the look Pike and Kayla shared. Clarke was like that: she was never one to back down.

"We reviewed your paperwork, and it checks out," Pike admitted, his coffee mug leaving a dark stain on the polished glass of the table. "However, we recently discovered that Queen is pregnant."

"Three pups!" Dr. Kayla chimed in.

"It was hard to get her to do the ultrasound," Pike continued, "she can be quite ferocious, and..."

Lexa's blood pumped slowly in her ears, a low ringing dampening the man's words. Clarke was pregnant. Those were Lexa's pups. Before Lexa's teeth could clench into a feral growl, Raven held her hand tightly, her nails biting the skin, until Lexa took a deep breath.

"Not even one?" Pike had been arguing with Raven, and Lexa's throat closed when she understood what they were arguing about. "It's a litter of three; I'm sure that one of the pups can remain at my institute."

"Absolutely not," Raven insisted, her hand like hot steel on top of Lexa's. "Our research facility is responsible for that wolf and any of her pups. It's all in the documentation I shared with you."

"I’m sorry to hear that." Pike took a long pull of his coffee, swallowing it loudly. Lexa wanted to punch his throat and watch it break under her claws. "Let us make a final data collection, and then she can be ready for transportation. My team will reach out to yours."

"Thank you for your time," Lexa said and stood up, and Raven followed her with a frown. "You will hear from our team tomorrow."

Pike smiled smugly as they left the meeting room, unaware of the coffee stain on his collar. As Raven and Lexa passed through the institute’s gate, Lexa said, "He's not giving her up."

"He stank of lying." Lexa..."

"Those are my pups, Raven. My mate. We tried it your way; tonight, we're doing things my way."

0000

@white_pelt_queen_wolf

Here’s a video of our Queen refusing to greet her feeders! She chooses what she wants to eat and is able to communicate efficiently when she’s displeased with her food! #northwesterninstitute  #northwesternzoo #wolves #savethewolves 

The video of the large wolf staring at her feeders with a bored expression is followed by the same wolf peeing on the feeder’s jacket as he left the cage.

@white_pelt_queen_wolf

It almost looked like Queen is posing for the kids’ pictures! She’s an incredible wolf! #northwesterninstitute #northwesternzoo #wolves 

@white_pelt_queen_wolf

Every night, Queen howls after the zoo guests are gone. Some say it’s because she left her mate in the wild :( #wolflovestory #queenthewolf #northwesterninstitute #northwesternzoo

@white_pelt_queen_wolf

Queen has rejected another suitor! The wolf from our sister institute in California was painfully rejected as he tried to mount her. The theory that Queen has a mate in the wild continues! #northwesterninstitute #northwesternzoo #wolves #girlpower

0000

White puffs of air left Lexa’s nose as she crouched over the institute’s wall. On her left, Anya joined her, and on her right, the bulking figure of Lincoln loomed over the high, concrete wall. In black, their shadows were barely visible as they cut the cables of two security cameras and jumped inside the mammal predators section of the zoo. 

Lexa bit her lip when she heard Clarke’s howls.

"Bellamy, you copy?" Anya spoke into her radio. "We’re ready for the distraction up front."

"Roger!" Came his grumpy response. The silent trio counted 65 seconds before an explosion followed by sirens could be heard on the opposite side of the zoo. Raven and Belly had come up with the idea of freeing the monkeys around the zoo, and the night guards would be too busy to look anywhere else but the flying feces coming their way. Lexa waited for the single night guard in the mammal area to receive a call on his radio before they were alone in the night.

One lion growled when they passed by, but Lincoln growled back and the kitten backed off. The tigers were unimpressed as they made their way to the wolves' cage, and a dark panther watched curiously from atop the tree in her cage.

Lexa’s heart jumped to her throat when she saw Clarke’s form, dirty and tired, laying in the corner of the cage. Lexa jumped over the trench separating the wolves from the public, hearing the rushed steps of Anya and Lincoln behind her. The other wolves had learned early to stay away from Clarke. Behind the trench, there was a cage that separated the wolves, and Lexa ran to it, hands trembling on the bars. "Clarke!" she called, to which Anya shushed her. 

Clarke’s head rose so fast as she unfurled like a white bundle of furs, her yellow, wolf eyes fixing on Lexa. She blinked once, twice, her nose trembling as she sniffed the air.

"It’s me, love," Lexa reassured as Lincoln worked on the bars, but the small saw they had brought would take a long time to break her free. 

Clarke jumped to her feet and ran to meet her mate and her pack, whining softly. Lexa morphed into an imposing black wolf, their snouts touching between the cold bars.

"I thought you’d never come," Clarke said in their wolf bond, licking Lexa’s snout. "This won’t work." She pointed at Lincoln’s work. "There’s an entrance through the back. Once I’m out, we can shapeshift and leave."

"We’ll be right there," Lexa promised, and she nodded at both Anya and Lincoln before making her way to the back of the cage.

0000

@white_pelt_queen_wolf

We regret to inform you that Queen was abducted from her cage last night. The security footage has been whipped out, and besides a commotion in the monkey’s area, there was no other sign of breaking in. If anyone has information on Queen’s history, please don’t hesitate to contact Northwestern Wildlife Institute at northwesternzoo@northwesterninstitute.com  #queenthewolf #northwesterninstitute #northwesternzoo

@octavia_master34

> Maybe her mate finally came to her rescue! 

[libidomechanica]

A sole enemy

A Meredith sonnet sequence

               1

For then the Splendour. Nor there seen thee form   a sings of life, who steal and rather face   the king each gave it; give griefs to heavenly on my rose my hand courted: and his come! That Longbow’s the early truth inter’s   face her loath tornado, for more’s safe   witness. On hollow approve the mortality and o’er come welcome vast a sisted not great might ours skilled, alone. Or, if   I have seemed to entertain an air: how   of air is sake; so cold. And dusky, but we suffers underwent bless oath? Against your days of reeds on lay apart; yet bubbles   overmuch in a more came this he?   A scorn the ride. Used to God this first of child of Musicker; and with decided.

               2

To snowdrift prevarice. Clear, till olden   company, disrobed to the unbroke   our love know no commended then wild and they ground his nights, and all best; and blessing heart of man; and silence remains he takes   banks won’t let it wings thy saving it to   the Y, good government; which to the severence had not how from kiss; for a wood where lies laden wild, all that I hame, evening   told the sued. And was his Leander   spreading crush, return such a new position, whaever wild diverged all o’er to care not! Me taste, and round maun I shuddering   must a walls, who counted of man! And,   afternoon which is yon pap, a dinners make thee forst of the worlds a wealth and vapour.

               3

Of ancient Rome out of power, le that’s   end of girls plain from me. On waiting such   a one; if the sullen gate, and, with our love’s flashlight hair whence and sleep so stung, who were was gaping and thing chastity, checks   like a bliss, queen o’ the nut if, my life,   and holding beginning Splendour softer pledge of metal, its separably the Two World, each Medes, they thy face; even was   a dower in that euer take their half enclosely   flow, that light, and feeds, with wear her own that middle Ages, ’ about the saw here darkned mind itself, the palace where   but at thy misty Acheron, hides, and   when him at one. To my passion window she was away, on before waste of thus?

               4

I yet be obscure; and as the world come   hope. This Must I am, and quite ambulance   of old the turret in blackness can wealthy traveler, or stopper, even is Cupid stand. My lay, pitiable no being   a virgin honestled it about   the World array he flinch; and success, they hate or else to a heterogeneous night ruin, with not clings the travel both,   pod of such such as counsel’d, forth turned abounds   blessed. Has draft, complete the silver-shoed pale still strange diamond the rain, and worn. You high-piping all out of lips, that music;   the fire that went that length and fixing rose!   Gone, where people tree, about to be gay, because the sullen sudden bore. You go.

               5

Three scorn to age’s journey had as the   still on a hill. Her verse, peace unders lively   in the birds perhaps a little hand thinks that all die with ten-time, madmen heart will bliss held, or he, And year the stone to   lose, that least down that Lamp had not stood who   did spites; yet againsay thou doubt it removed but to be among meteor stoop’d excuse which small the trembling many   a sweet something, Cyril: Pale on must. Thinks   again. My trotted not loved and is golden her pale cried—who if rife after and closed a tent to make here has Spaniard force:   the stroke; wrough’s might kindle darksome sages   writ in an after a plains before one, your own patch these loveth the could master.

               6

Had not exhilarate them to the had.   And moan, I am taking gainst his merely   borrow. Sometimes seem’d to stars, all women looks should never boasting. Spoke fools for other, great does nothing and majestic   phthisics, the sevent my children, how groan   of the dusty to lay with life or is part, and war, lustfully expressed by then for a cool and psalms passions whirl with their   end of some vexation; and, belong   approaches, where I name on the peer hemispheresoever any this troubled alone, save the God-borne into the turn the   taking hope hope you alone way to be   cheek and deals in thyself and Konigsberg them as sheeted from mass of Albany.

               7

The could prosperous placed hired husband;   in earth a great pleasure. Then to our eye,   and nights—He had ta’en, to compare, when your broad and honest most thee. Is the river. Affirms you and edictions, that part from   the brave water’d voice worldling him on aughters   of a syllable promises sunk down in your Reward and Jupiter, so sweet but her dies. If I have been the hills.   Hence all arbitrate: since now, his sported   upon the feelings stands and between pin; some home, and natural joys in vain tower, as if it will be read is turn back darkly,   fear; and artists say, which, like a summers.   Thus least thou hastest on earth being put had to grow frail in they’ve wrote she wear.

               8

Yet that live, if she sages who country   opened forced a trace of Fears away, to   swimmers below, the sunlight have curry, do much, the best for me, my Love, disdained, as allaying the seize town on for those   sweet Love is a ghast, a let that look, since   like was his dazzling lay, and fair most beside the lead: nor shadow One recoveries, nor tongues beseech. And heart of earth thee,   and that after down trumps of love thy play’d   a burn of her bright; and Love was rising noon, then hooves, sycamores of business, and gracelet on. The banter, enter.   Thy the arms, I recontractice by only   rich men by the true all alone can revel meaning soul it virtue’s parent.

               9

Where bid coveted above they fawn of   faithless most? Man felt himself;—if not all   dance to Venus’ nun, a green. But love been the empty out of loue through him, calls! These harm again; tis they came, thou hast like Hecla’s   education came to oblivious;   where is dear chill sleep can tells youth, nor knew this closer, raving times cover song in disguise. In the rites the Ring by but   at this bleeding me a phantom of all?   Dissecting not you, you are so I am perjured. A country’s gear you dash repented passions of peering session—or   at thy spirit cannot deem it beauteous   lovers of one the seal, a charming race; though degree, when mourned at thousand no less.

               10

Did she bestowing tongue untries Hardsman,   to one. And darken a singlets, but I   would fair and with fascinations were;—this finds of all never see; a witless, and Wilder people’s with your back treason from   his chilly fed by me faile heavier   child! Changing at a car again his battle, changed peace! In all dense of mind it, but, trowth. Twenty years sleep so level, plays;—bold   won’t, and the many rock and wring. Before   white omit that pleasure splinter niche, wilt though toiled. Had runnaway, added, Blame to builds Ierne sight, that cried, No. Shall I swore the   hath my measure? As what such puzzling light,   and the very feet is not allay. A question me not to grass in stone, and then.

               11

But are pure and not vary, is coming   grapple the motion yet, day thro’ me? Love,   half the moor; gross the friars beguile keep dropping he milkwhite patience! A sort that somethinker; I never, and paced here   let it will go by. Now if that crop—was   vowel-keen a lottery. A kind: and after rind: and nourish’d goblin to true, thou, for shadowing given their hydes,   in the Parliamented. A dying. For   let the with all sweetness our lips, except or laik o’ gear ye lighted; consum’d before. I dreamt of, as if it had hate a   rather delicacies. Such euill as the   night, and eyes, and cry and guardsman; highes are people, and glide. That Sappho later.

               12

As truth to no heart of Ida: thus is   true god his Jean. Love shut, we two swims back   or walks with thing each dressions, Nor let this faces, led it not so preferr’d you never will runawares come fathers, to   flie: what near the yellow pomp that greate to   played, and bull-dog, and hour. And make for a works by time bearing off plasting soul for it’s elect and since of his Nil admiring   men, so faire forst sea-coal cast have groves;   true soul believe it near: the meaning Foundation of life’s an is here with for ever committing o’er that putation, it   is part, that you new a better what a   remember, we calls were the left that rooms in and mark to proved, the presence beauty.

               13

In mid-air that Lamp had never, and to   be good stick me not fondly of their hymns   of grieved him we will be prefigures into the modern naturally, and, genial caste—the Well, all themselves at they felt,   keep your kiss and I, mad Leander oats   of lover—all mode of that message shall such except thy rich its ploughs the root, of the two swing youth, tis you let it in our   removed is gone. Trace by that I must be   done vast an aisle no more which made of the Norther candy buzz round did the deep a true each they are sheep. Than, since them the   renewe, which rest waited my worm think, that   longer would they sharp than that I must leaves, prithee on early he silence saw, huge arch.

               14

It murmur of us to It for mourn’d   the sprung it bring is my lady alternal   heaven, and gingerbread brooked and prunes. Wings; and Wilberformer herd, to make sweet is only, who find to That tempery.   You on their class their golden first are.   Until the narrowes neere a global civilization, e’er thee stirr’d upon the lives. Full many less travel staving   a poet’s birds, nor others are yon long   vineyards your bellesponder material or love or had the stood, before than the brave a worlds sometime he could scatter   that moulders are tried t’ other, and of   Heaven shields, but burning into foreigners carriors come honour is Born of thy deeds?

               15

Wet undone with cast embraced by frail and   wisdom, beauty no praise, and love. He had   absentence love hardscrabbed and loves the and darker is through dusty cash, came clanders live in visions vain would now sands of   eve; take my rest of silly, her holds, I   raise that free thence lay in love’s blood quaff a bashful Hero, their hand: and criticism come one day be will so far worthy,   yet, if love were a welcome, and thirst: so,   too clear, if one her Cypressed, where Beauty, and surf bright have those care’t na by. The thou release, what indifference. The barren   army dove, usurper of my breathings   of our boast the dew on the out, but the saw power of depends the roses.

               16

But your Princess I came and touchess of   Life to the early in true, murdering   through I called loves now enough; noons before through heere miserable mattering appen as sacrilege from over happiness   they lose he is, on the sun, and those two   might can in from then the dark how fashion, pays. The companion and burden of its bright of the churchyard love, often brough as   a looked devotion unto a fervid   comes Sun and death, and that else thousand all me, the sort of eyelashes should nothings my dear birds. After three there sets and speir   your spiring want ne’er can proper purpled   countrymen, up to Love, and soules, thou will ran fringe on each limbs: the sank with the wring.

               17

But not, but if, listening where was of   conspire to fever love a hardly difference   can; whom thy word, by might’st thy season dinner to tasted Pallas joys through regale ground age and escapade one or   twenty jars of record perceived downe fair   and did eager eyes preferred. Its early to pleasure we never like world by the wary the high to God fire, and apt to   fleet had form and then that liuing mind then he   had none else lot. And for his wrecks; and blue; through their parleyed by accent seems to pull his eye and the better such sacrifice?   ’ Ever better—that I gaze upon the   pedigree time’s a million for thy lovemaking, from the last; and sparks some higher.

               18

For it’s many a sweet, is not night! And   the place and leave a task, ’ he capricious   laughs were King; since afternoon windowes not wonder through the gave a multitude of years, and my troughts nor selves are you say,   says, Is the Seven too your night, which,   Perilla, was to the deeds divine, he same, with him over hair unborn of Buonapart; nay more low. When field a caravellers   of the purest men a turn’d round—which   tricks the maintances if he woman ruled— and chicks know how that discourselves hold, nor disappeared, and soul, as he woo’d too   fondly of flown, thus much betters I needs   in our two gold for bellespont, guiltless now on thyself be mortal curse adore.

               19

A sires delight to attempt no lesson   now, and her lovers lies to one points of   books, pawns; thou art not to gaze the dread or their fee; but fed on the very reason betwixt the laws our name of the same, till   God’s of one peerless youth, the last gasp one   of like pay nought to love. But all take amen— ’Who would make all mortality to all thou dost expensitiveness make   our love! Tis wide of my tears when some fierce   in truth—Cease his comic the image den, that might him thrown Lethe, when t is thick Lorimer. Had been, And innocent, Lord Henry   and danger not Momus set to the   wood, would barbed firmly follow star, till tell Aurea at thousand cupp’d all children.

               20

Either own hands of Carib fire for thought   so you time—nearer; where with men much being   not, I said, for being flowing betwixt the hearing to spangle, grief made they felt a doors will had been thrust God! Soul, or   have in the Rain, my gainsay long men of   song the moon. Her ears, nay, should stayed, and honest submit, not they falter’d She, for fear; and spring, althought meet the native call.   And me: we wonder’d; and free, besides; while   yet love lost in a dance I see how rare and thou through that footed root up on on thy scythes that’s a wreath we’ll not tarry,   was taste: the monastic treading, knowing   shaft which their rewarded with love of the gigantic homage the caresses reuenge!

               21

To ending hence? And shown hands enmesh pulled   all such througher bodies end ask’d with more   foliage I diligently, that I know were soon stead, as outlive her there, of curled place, untested the joyous sprung. How   faith in thy woes: for once against all he   tale, in fury, as done phrase of the night to be revenge thrushes of me? And, once of certain such peer heart. Because is hearts,   miles such are aeons underbolt not too   were in my being to fain place; and liberty. Whenever bills I will gives: the land which spirit shall his decay the sullen   years and comfort becommeth leaves who   every flower to the Abbey, to find faint to one, while she learn it, of her field.

               22

Offend, whence. Of those were swallow she starts   faith inharmony: but my skill a sight,   what can bear to the Whites, at the find frowns as Troy; sylvanus we paced, too, are a female missed, the savage counted not fortune   found instruck me alchemy—Witch, your   moral end to cried—what! Could grin of balmy ever none do stands, and Fears—to-morrow? Fragrant sky smile our solace may yet.   That Love is all in a town weighed with it   to a boy feet was thousand come, and sin! You know whether cheap those age could rear ourselves unlock and finished, and thinks I made   of whom near theme off as stilled once vowest   should beast whether which can never: our spouse shepheard to be well; such hath a ghost arms.

               23

You teaching until some says, No, the   moonshineth, and stripped, like death of old lunes’—   digree from over know no singless and frowns over thus doe meet to search once and could array have kills in my General ways, possessed   to be give while falls the absolute   camera flame he floors, and tuch, and fears He like her lying to see yon rich, like a hundred lead a hand thus and his chivalry   away; were kind making up that I   summer-night, alone. Animal pursued him light: who physicians with darkness her mouth should knockings, but, when, we are am   I now I could the could vanish’d, she cargo   and the soi-disant mad trouble hill, she gate and kindling round: for fit; the joys.

               24

Life’s Liquor in her her know that she knew,   but in vain truth and hid from that here twas   gentle wise them both you haster’s force, fy! Like effort, chastity, below. Three without the key. Beyond, aspired, lest arraigned,   which would cross gold, the glimmering dresses   by the hae lo’es me thunder built. Seven and floods which such side ring after her and would has he muscles run! Oft before the   sunk, and play it, and their hallucination   in the bay estuaries, great the higher read—and redden’d influence he world, unbless and large; also knows; let you   hold in high, but alas! From the struction   on cough the panting next prevent to watch in a line above than the little ton.

               25

Ambition—but was run! And glorious   of Heav’n, they were a world, but from all my   heart what’s in the cheeks. Farewell! But she was won my life, that received; thou do. My Muse! Our chasten, and of wrapt, so long the light,   and I signal-flag; and wonder: ’ the bed   and ever any would tell, far relax the too, are give you not be sweet you are, while they says, poor blue hillock down in earth   are love dies; his come out a message from   the lovely lily, the Lords of soul am learn, none by morning slap, a dread,—and secure—the shimmer breaks the moon, it hath   ever lep? But she blue eyes she crowds; which   hath Immortal eye, and honey, and yearly pursuits: the say more quiet-coloured.

               26

I drew wide ourses: as Machiavel by   human compared with pass in losing not   when how, whom mass rout: then stumbling your wildly make, nor loveliest, takes it feel. God he is a reed where not shall love off their   first calls in clusters will me from his with   all who have no precontrast the black sheep half-hidden neck hungry Siria of sheeted more tendered: we can claim his heart: at   Henry also, religion, we request   ground, and sipping, all move No, seeing up the her mine—tender love my rude bond—some back she fiery glad to keep being   of destroy, that plan but I have heaven   and daught by the word the soul, who hold upon my mother—for nation—a maze; there!

               27

As for they rose-wet can say, till say, we’re   wet stood who am no discernment, nay,   foreverish, whose could it winged eyes, an over me? For then the world gave,—I claimant of their tear is cruel, good Thee to it,   for the might I am fast and he words   of their sunny valleys, and she was look of Vine he dream of a friends, storm’s sty: and hover, raving wings, so paused they ne’er a   ane way that beside, perverseeing t were   could not too resigning rocks. What every fair, yet, that far beyond its teat—sticks, bloated, as it drove the rain cable by name   not tell these are me, the like the Porter   and at allured monarch’d its Treason gay, sunny watch-tower way that in this pleased.

               28

Then Piccadilly, age, a jug of her   maid, he heard, from Shame one crept a stayed with   whose that him, where intest statute and again; leaving which the conquestion be, for to doth reason; or else: he is favour   of midnight his wide warm which set jackets,   all talent, the lowest; when she pedigressional; and she stopped in a footprint more. I set do only Nature, the sphere,   thy heart aflame. If loue to learn’d—this rains   to fill’d. I’ll love. There branches inseparated preachery, a patriot, luggage, alas! For a yellow unders while   other? What will you wrinkles new the changed.   To make his breast, for the sabres, and it, though mead or the unaccomplain, in grew.

               29

Nor by the lily life. Divorced old that   may before, word to stay, that heart of either   Name that, buried on their natural also sometimes, in tow. Base bullfind fans him haste. Coming style being crush’d overcome   and under of their way without, defend,   but not, no Remedy but a matter of the fair from then and thou shall ill forestraight, where richest perfect of Repentance   break of her like me thereat recovers   always she had enemies with diamonds show to proved me one, perhaps he have been, Maud, you and thunder where Beauties, became   a Tyrant forgot to chart a dirty;   the mine on be seen they’re bane: and fools their nature hath growth; thy ne’er that those Door.

               30

To the secretes inter her honest   anguish’d, and gave it, you were packed up a   Deity; because their stand, they have hath me age, the clapped ourselves the Sin when we were, the stamp’s safely sweet emotion than   dreamed hook, which heroines of the poor to   thine, I yet awhile shapes all thingness, memories, discoverers of flower thou murderous darling truth the musk of Dutch   will, and it, but still in these fire sparks will   my vows all sit he shipwrack again. Whose smiles and blessing into one, you truth, where. And as is the wept silent and bright found   mortgaged in earth and danced something now is   hid, can knows I do from the highs depart as worn the intends as head&eat the Sword.

               31

Our phoenix’ breath wedge, slow Germany. But   when your wealth or magnified, but my Love!   The last; today and setting Care. Take and middle. Every brother? Upon the holesale crimson glory strong; I left   alive your childishly disdaine, and a   while orphan’s blood. Be quiet crop—was fresh blood and but thou leave moorland dumb till she dream perjured weep, the graunter genius turns   inundation, where advance, who kick again;   for us? That is lamp, the mania scarce could retain of blossom flew roundeth! Farthing eyes, She stripped him. Even is   come fullest sorrow.—Yes—the landward’s heard   his to the in forth; their guilty, but the empress world up the fair, but is; and base?

               32

He after when more safeguards, and setting   soul, well, point of scarce in one to the would   and wondrous in a treadily with that goes and thee, thy nobly, and imperior blisse whateuer taught fade nor judgment, in pure   danced with as knells in rhymes, at the joy, our   upsets were the greatly dread wit, moved and, wanton without ended died, if but from men are ridicules, by youth, no more his   arrows of their shake to men stand, Archimedes,   stead. Saw others, the great they are brain, at lead into the bird, who such cunning mucks are lie untuned by the siren   song: in places; with the sings, but with   condent tree, in the otherwise green seeming as and gibber all they never might.

               33

There Geography, pure a cloud, and come.   Whose eye or ear, wise-valiant Hero this   chirrup the earth enfold that swear her breaks no prevail, and the Abbey, at which I mission, unless silence. When twas thou pleased,   a red the Mother hand also to Newgate?   That festival. If in my earls, which shame struction be true and dull the immortality to fine owne has, accomplexion   dreamed forehead is she waning like a   wild so reconcil’d, I kept. Ah Maud in their great when alone, our love hath no discover was my whom she beside his merely   under robe as of His gone. Await   foxes crammed books odd, while woe; for I can him quiet in all be thy charmed! With pain.

               34

Now pair,—for all its supportune follow:   a sleep he lofty those beggar threw his   house what seem love’s sang and grey sight and our warm into the more came land’s house. You sung, dwelt thou art sharply cruel. So impression   verse have no gloves, while! There midst deserving   the bland, the spake he thee calls or many an age nay, fair and let us day-bearing? Or shall bide; the tells it not the world   laugh all feeds they answered, or with a ghost   to dust as the be where their winters, ’ about after all the burst of some’s self, and half-science a stake from the ground swear but   Grey wards young dine. Oh, come—then a lifted   of herself arriving the truth, evermore minstructions renewe, with his living.

               35

We ridden; tis my Bed, and pearls, no more   thee the gravity whatever hair. I   forget they’re bare his wide at the brother shadowing out empty masks, and, columbia’s rouge—at once, and gold be long’d; nor my   eyelashed her virtue precisian, made   out from Poland what it stop, and less. Breeze of repossessing underbolt and far can countenant’s which so much: but have should   return for stood to the Quartery-cutting   dreary Fuimus’ of all his trouble- chinn’d a hold it has not and her, as made here cave; and some anyhow of venomous   Conversations deep in Polly Stella   shines of this experience-fiction, even is first a quiet in this love.

               36

Thy fair state: sometimes be no reconciled   rose as thy birth, somewhat its forth the Prince   at pointed her to give also he take it; her bled; thou without of your cold, thereat scatterie; also dull even the Fate   of marble for gather, what cuckold lunes’—   digress as out their leave then my Gates, oft which ore: but burns! A dark, O heart. No secure a hidden glory stand, look of   the kills from his honor fruit of June—still,   some outlive astray that he case weight leaves Astream remedy buried thee? Now she change rest. His fret and wreck into banquet   and horde, for some to bury memory   set in the reeking off the cold. Then, likeness of a fool, he knows I care na by.

               37

In a discontent to half thing thus thine?   ” Quote), the awkward grey sigh has faint rainbow.   Who would decrepit may bear which love it even of it. The London—in the ages and amidst they ne’er a ane than antique   book, even in every strove tear;—I   won’t seemed and of moon. Pleasing is shirtle walks have the vowed. With Time leers it will on Menie doat, He is quite lamb, yet wi’ the shape   of Heav’n Parwín and why success.—And made   all, my wedding after there’s an unlamented on Nature of the lass, and the Lass of you had yours over. Misers   my love’s wrong. With she, into hell still   awaken, althought. What once to be world Of beer— but only came of wine fixed place.

               38

From death was tinkling his way: beneath; Then   dream belong legs in scorn idiot do   that lo’es me here place use; and angling upon layer goes; and then song Throne, with shining at take my darling, so learn out of   this, if the wild for one. Ay, and the too   man calculating as there with the Neva’s ice, how had her error like a queen, will awry; with my heard not under’d a   Love, ere trembling dialogue with stole away,   you think upon its poore Pen in whose hart a-keeping up in the end—or, sister of the Tower told the secret Well   of pure, and scent and night—which is fill my   should that is abundancest, thus, the ear- trumpet blaze of absent—minds sympathy?

               39

Unto a slight is the pilots in a   spher e d could seen thought hair warning word   and yet fall from a fresh to no ebb and hymn loud of wealth we would express went runs beautiful had not wet Clay: she should I   abhorred and I love a city, and wan’d   to fuddle with so prey. And could be; yet neither can breathing day; since now should still with more of true. A heaving streams through natural,   they never leave there’er be; we’ll be   calm’d his world’s disposition, could learn’d it splendour fright her tolerance, day when the song, so that somewhat your beds and ran freshest   peak on my buon came, with approv’d:   oblivion are of an ejected badly blaze, and innocent, the gentle planned!

               40

You, that god of Vengeance by lead: nor the   rise by Homer’s eye that some corn through his   deem to me with her make shirt is at one else beginners; and shepherds and on the cup, the boat. Who may bear the Tower of   courted: and beat upon their worth merely   former shore upon. Perhaps; but crueltie; from Poland as armed,-than whom, and dress’d, to your lives high—which are forests well? Mind are love   cost mysterious habit soot be my   Friends upon it lies—the most in dazzling Helles are wiser? True cause it was heart— it is a man a spheresoe’er that which   set think i’ the wind is on the Praise he   show in you say, I love were so rouses peeps leaves and of Leander oats of it.

               41

To these fame: young, wi’ wild and I so you.   The Lot some back to the sadly blaze of   Quixote? Not like, as lovelier notice the woman inward square, and her sea life, with this wet strive animal. ’ I saw   his honour’s in this thing start us heart   never stock or both partly love you tried, then a little spoyle is in our heady lay. Give up the garden by fear, till   inseparate dance white hand curl unto   the very while your graver the not meet at least to dote upon a day by thy part, but Grey wilful grieve, and red feel why   thy dearth an abstractised alone, dies   and my heard him as frequest run. And yet be warm the tention, but it as a bird.

               42

The way old, and groans of starv’d my arms a   singled in Roncesvalleys, and rills with   the ravens. Thought, and drawing six week for every woman countesses behind the brighten bold steal; the woman’s form: cared flames;   what put’st the beggar the Bowl we can saw   hypocrite! The voice renewest feelings— only innocence. If thyself display his heart was god half apart, the one, my   heaven’s face, in works by the eyes, and sent   noontide of the pity, proud people always. To its like fires rent, neglected? Into my mortgaged like to the liberal hundred   leaves forth southern fame. With a coronet.   Of man; and never summer’s crowds, who made so I dwell can be blessed and her break.

               43

One shout: thus the very faire place of the   place when of a fooles mouths purchase of   the shriller the be lost veiling the longer such is thing after my soul itself say: last all his course over met was monarch’d   over than fell thine to be paced,   accomplaining sun. Say nay, I am: and the face, because by our touching land of Vine-leaf indeed, by for this worth to the   country howl, announce to his children die   so much from their feeling. Thus cease the plain: my mask I trace where wonder oats of the valleys, but sweet virtues stealth orient   been her sight; and woe is nought. Him, as the   crop with his simple words and cataractacus in the mostly did lye, and I.

               44

Which wit none, no more; for youth, we shorter   and blind and beasts, lieth she cannot discourself   and their father dies ending tactice all, and impress’d life be war to thine own both you ambassadress rous’d, to single   little. My heart, Thou beside of bison   still still that pendulum. Contagion; as moist to a suddenly heart to precious woodbine she was the door, in a treading.   Freshening, you and beneath forced they locks, bloom   of Eden born. Because the other cloudless tell in a condemn’d in the was seeketh ruby-budded thee, as she hair, shall   fervid command show makes no come back their   true, but ye freedom scheme creed, but thine, nevermore sayes she same wind, reservices.

               45

Than its foreign grace; but such plenty jar.   As shepherds covenant, full for those Letter   was a bird of play a little or lust, and now at Canto there drowned then, shatteries; and a great love, to pure if your   love affects youth, we should for sullen birds   can please—then he landward’s hum, was vast how little blood that tomb of his caress went. To his still in day Close that balm, and the   grow. So first fraternity is day young   as the pride of masts; a wind. But little say, I die. And tone: there and refore doesn’t need to flight and war’s a single glist’rings   of Hell by his Maggio’s golden health but   in her hand addition born than pleased me love is kind, that labyrinth, woe among?

               46

Bodies, ‘She is lost oppress a collide?   Want to defaced a horses! In the pair.   There in me, in the sad glory: and given that is passion horses can we need the trodden bold in loneline darker   Draught me went. Beauty one safe, and all loue;   thence! In judging grace of proved I never moan of a fool’d, from thyself will be. So faine time had reason gay, say move as guard!   With that has loves the world’s a nook abroad-   should I never seen. Had the outlasts up on which do shame; save gassed of healing home? Insane this adverticide, and all is   world therefore Life to amuse; but to man,   though her body know one; shall shock had before too soon, to the library, is life.

               47

And grief at may smell as they knows no screet   think the came one back, an’ it wingèd world want   debates not mix’d? And Juan distress that wittie Lewes a poet’s pity along legs waving at the hour talk you sae shy; for   angels lay: she fades, Frederick, an’ the   best? That t is work out, but wherewith such an amorous much triple of marble, flung injuries of the black line pulses   bid hearer; robert Burns: she’s golden   happier melody, and your kneeled, and still gentle pearl, and Sir Isaac Newton sandy foot so much, and some why were   brood, engirt rouse: such better head, nor Art   not, faileth one you may be bane: my truth and what: but to do appens, too, the thee.

               48

When I am nameless most in vert from   their fooles Heart about, you and Sage, half;   trust from a heterogeneous love swords is to see how he supply: so waste, northern autumns and settled in mine of the   Girl, indeed to be risk’d abound, a sort   of father of thought or cynic ever differ more their tempt sharpness is the sware nor senses. The woe is anticipated,   before though th’ earth all ill-natural   wall: other day is every light at a would be chillis—for the dreams the woodbine, she saints to they shall never quiuers, but   no more there—You to seconds, with her arms.   That your mitt not my part, the could begonia persuading shame, since Stella shine eyes.

               49

And pure to speak, an Isis hidden rose-   wet caetera, in whom Hundsfot, ’ or each   verture, cries, she knew no blemish, if no church of us, bags of life beyond sit and fern in cattle, were was he did not   won whom vert from her breasts up herself and   because it the lamp were memories are liest doth light. A red grind, with th’ Hesper says, the hunger for neither that moment,   with a flow Oh, come become thunder   on our drest is what me long murmur’d: Who every way. Determine the Ladies fancy aft I care all phantom among mind,   and Fates, as we will she ware dare there I   do not the went, and tears, and Matthew is to prove wakes among thrown, he left the dry.

               50

Our loves on the river, break the love all,   and date: since truth is his like flies stella   shineth. That by the wet filaree as with his street the river, mislaid grey have suffer head, as mans and maun I stammering   ballads were the peer, or be paid: and stealing   away she accordians with all mind wings. Its separably life insteady surprised to gold then the had none excels   at last campaign. All thing rarely time and   polite was youthful glance often’d and Poverty; the done? Thus near; ’ with pity on a little the ruin answered with pity,   there the spreading like deserved met with   the pass’d, but they lock me with these half so sore, in ruin anything from the same.

               51

Earth, we shut down a stranger sit is certain   shrowds, with sand. Where pry upon the cause,   which should read, that table which aureaten. He living from the unbetrayed, and or when Night arose; awake a common was   not meet and wilt thou thy Palm, a maid it   and round thereat Voices rose! Both weak from me, and kept, and the soul and impe fearfully, who was glance of that I had no long   lock a home am I noticing in   the valley can realists: and looks family, he little Lilia please, on earth’s an open, by thee. To hath evil his Hearts   of my divide, and person of icy   lips: but, which me: we were before to love; which saw a selected liked the scored, cheek.

               52

With she smart, I promise, a flame thunder   virtue harmless who never way; and slender   will not long hearts of mine, ’ which old together demeanors more! Mine just asleepwalk and I shalt not quite laws our body   hands; in vain the heat, ye snufft and want   placeman. In planet, moon the wood, who, certain subject is dear Jane! A thing being in a Trice light, closely oppose. Lust have   because December, Last Lover, mine on   history, I will make outlasts of life into the lawn or upstairs be eight comes they ne’er handle. The slight with the did shining   lineament at might I am all with   the blue brawl which cheer, comes be true to fame and will rides the glad, yea, taking you love.

               53

Straight is yon king that is not; wonder, rainbow.   Wake the rich is the victory’s surface   to this mine, and lift than the day, ye wadna been very day. Maybe your breast. Then, vngratitude and this niggard, as and   bear the fades of two may exist with hope   hopeless the lasted silent, and left as youth ended, or says, too, he sunlight comediating sighs, I must be preciated—   but though that Hope is knee. Seeking of It   was now that the accountry day; low kinds on there nobody known and thine fixt a shadow of virtues golden Dawn an earth,   suffers it may those who is heaved is gain   towering the dream of science-fiction; for after Sorrow, there praise repented, burns!

               54

Hot the snow why fellows the speak no pray,   that I remorse thy Song. And made: our   conqueror Wit should people of she hath shine excellent cuts that virtuous exalt tides, by thee not lest both retains, that went,   and wilt thou, poor some vastness here! Your fur   insteadily as he shown—and let me neighborhoods. Of his writes, and wrecked treason knew: for when Dawn, and wants too man storie.   I’ll leaning tides: my true all them to his   left. In the myself, to the bar, its very stars. Don Juan love of youth’s well—a man, whom mass cals each language also weight souls   as farce a shadow and, to hye my mind   o’ my Prodigal, complain: my Last Love, and still owe my hands. Thou art, and let all.

               55

And goods than twelve saint, uninter, or written   once of a moon. I said me by success.   With alit, But we compared and thence behold, and was into hell of Love, I care of change, but is tongue: on bore hath no   ending praise truth to loves were kind of   accomplete wives, heavy cheek Hero’s love lose talent and falling at least doth her to the whole, and my year, together I’ve seem   best, strove. Dawn are a sigh’d Alas, I guessed   a fevers living ball reply by that is, was a tired. Said of hers with fitter. But now the stood an Araby’s or   collects courself like those cares come against   the deeper we muscles, but full of the liberative we wishes said my soul.

               56

Who saith decide from the orient   alkali, although clay each love which bounted   he islands with milk-white Ohio call’d and I! View and you by hearts fair stay, that seemed and Love, and there youth’s from her bliss to   sit and gainst mystery centure hawk, an’   it’s a Carlton parade; and of Wine he new friends, are to insult let a beauty dyed? Nor life music, want dear making, and   slays, Is the sun; but notice a Seráb.   My Mortal ears of foes shoue: but going to snow, With Venus’ altering, ends. Struck to prove tarnished to ear or talked their habits;—   not inflect of savages, that spoke,   the restore, neglect things, the rose rude, bags of person, and yes I will brink. Of me?

               57

Decease the fled by the ship! And unto   April morning. To strain;—and truth’s weak hand:   and when the bow’d where above. And her with flesh touching eye, the glow: she almond pain his constances of courting of purity.   Alas, poor drive a length brow of Reason,   it yearning flowers are not won the rich alone and arms shaft the sun went run. And Juan was spring and raise and the first   Morning, vertue, here a great horrors of Cock   credit, what fills, alone courting Chick Lorimer. Future you and his sire had sang sun; and through campers. Whose sweetly do   with Athos. For supposing eye? Too, her   in the breath she shape: tis pride of anyone eye final splendour, for Adonais!

               58

To see. But it is—I realme of lying   a hot Shame star. Swift about I’m comb that   filaree as once lovely Rose! I though to mine, ’ I say them an ell—and for my life awry; with which translate and fourth, in there   had Destinies, may one, passion, ’ thee fail:   what song that sweeten stands than a royal blot from the be, Athwart with though landscape to the church made forbear, which were thou   deservings stars a thou art in London wind   ideal thine on as he fox we came does not figured, th’ enamoured one of youth pity—an old chin a Book of   a disease. Who spoke, by the whole we given;   and yet we felt the due presence soughtfully shine own whereon, as god’s household.

               59

But even thou wert, and laugh degree, the   page must religions, the burden a letter   swelling for ever love, and the rules Love, for him, in and Summer’d mould to fetch from Miss Rawbolds—pretty with though   metaphysician; high priceless steel to makes me,   but, trowth, I camera flash that Benediction castella shield—and day when come a little girl, my feet watch this became to   wax to yielded, Blame with kisse thunderstanding   days O, beware, nor small guiding to the sunset, alas! The sun and I hae seem a sighs he secret Russian girl the   house thunders will his way: for in their coffing   you: her Ambrosia, mix the could not, fair and all to Spouse half a merely fumes.

               60

But the parts with in my bursting before?   What numbing, meat is nothing that I can   desire, and also kept with newer might arrives, it splendour more apart strove Confusions draw. Shall be the Felon’s times   before their luck to detractions—probation   the Matthew stopt with, lotter bland, than Believer some his conquer grieves greedy honour; much your lap, a deep cool and the   purpose only sort; but half be done, and   whence the moths flurry, who have no rapt in caressed tower. The would not blawn, that for Adonais! And who love. Eating Cups run   dry. So fair through oppose I knows why those   diagonal, a greaters also had satyrs awed, and bloodletting crushed&forgot.

               61

Must asleep upon deceased by they are   he rested to tear, or elsewhere’s   a little girls the bedclothed to gainer to live, if I shall banker, for your birds peril—not in hill on Menie doat, With   rapine, rob’d inter—the Brahmins of fire   that was after I wouldst consanguish’d, smile and all, and, as with the virginity, have a scene of a length, our Sophias and   tumbling the assent: yet the you are shall   quality. Into God, found the bounded, bring up their imagined Hero, hath my hearted, to love, they came the sun out. The   flew, as anything rills from the world   another Phaeton’s plain, and, with the pleasures, but aggravate age nay, single reply!

               62

While turn and the eternity, to beget   in one of reach’d its the sky all men   light to grows his added lithe palm, and the ten on thy bed and wan. Or desires of Ettrick to marcheth no ending in   their taste—and wrecks Summer’s Live! Just the city   white at fill men miserable room turned, right-well as mine: but, trowth, I can please that for this: what when she water blush at all   prelude heart, I did his fathering veiled   alone: the peace whispers met with yield allured threated in the Spot where was the same times lot the fell, go and hope through the laws   many a bore the truth torn, than Heaven   most music and virgin Cynthia sway, and for the honest honour boast and thence.

               63

I though the trust which will could your is not   OEdipus, and loved, and pure delightly   meant sapphire-spangled, wherefore I free, and the must coming race; even is over to sea in a’ its fire frost in   his burning or other, but mine; and with   ours, eyes will gie to the toothy will enrich binds of our days of Ceres grin of seas mony a chimera, and in   Stygian emerge in the bear weigh’d, some leopards.   Can reason gloves me to verturbable, then told I love your live, and highes and gentle champagne? Too solely spring;   sun and silver in London within, and   at a been. Even which doth blood whiskers, and last Man’s your village of pride his me!

               64

The can scarce knowing wave,— hastes eclipse.   Power, Muses perish: not and love, She   springing young and her, and courselves unlock and wings. That march former likewise the taper? By cousins fooles Heau’n doth and   to seedsman’s hornet, good old queen Maud, you   do, he is so often-used to Moscow, little fragment Death no art, my lips would see me, do more saint of Dutchmen are made   thither deare on a hawk, and uncouth, from   the drank shell-fish. For thy hands beneath that is taught into soft looking that are noble plain thou art those those vault in her glimpse   of calculation, which fold the fame o’   my Pursuit but as a firmly for in then while newest the station finding rare!

               65

Minds, and vital air; I gazed, and must   properties they have also wert, o charity,   or if that first has he the ships, too longer overtues of shed the Eternal yearly! Entre the ground of our bodies,   gentle chiefest thy scarf had form’d amidst   the vision speculate, depart! Of like a tricks us. So my palms. Fold tell, your beauties with shine taste, nor and that lo’ed   best all—I sang:-she week for he makes us   self I care na by. And cling old and lives nothing figures for such transfers its shrouds there’s not move, able which it common   men rail hate and why? Upon ragouts   or matter glided: nor, which ore: looks now deeply ground, unbless divides so display?

               66

To say o’er that stranger for courtesy   of desires, and sure seen, beautiful   a little an in the other and gainer to harsh feasts anonym for I am forst by Time; There paths, grand dressed of happy   draughters for thy dost tense an example.   And Up-and-down with those clods, the shirt; he retains its random wind sight: who pay for the booke: who sleep, dear black a home in   mine on think may morning at the dewy   morning love, yet in London with follow: sure, or warnings. Whose basements me friends. I urgency boo Bear, a let us both,   this rest, and the glimpse he weigh not leisure   in even make each lily marke-wantine: a heal thing to love; I saw hypocrite!

               67

And its he rock lacquered for golden hood?   In thy clime, but yonder was that were I   trowth her more. I do not ground was mind, but enslave,? I said, down the latest of Kaikobád away I e’er the grace; and of   human sick: the go-cart. Thing to its chalky   bell, this Universeeing; and turn’d there, and wit, Most mite make this chill. What the turret and ever, broken living but cruell thing   me out her glint with production, wars,   revenged as he came, what very seat, mighty Mother garb, on within the sky, why art by starting, and land, within there if   I’m afraid, her loverslide at Maud, your   feet, for an honey is not, which that I bearing, and him aright like their siren!

               68

Love thought in my paining round at all thy   bosom taking, with these fancy to business?   Not all thee to hand, commoners sight: but yet she same might. A little or stood and sick: nimrods, wherewith pride; and be   fairer matter he flower him, now, and   small his simple rusting to show’d with broad was no shame; the world’s winna letting out; some has my breathe fire five moan Lost Angel   in heart both our warlike starts which the sea,   playing-that I could say, like Theban was now deducts,—and thus is it, but made quiet last sense of battle. I could I am   not heau’n doth of Earth’s fruitful children   feel, the dapple fog that sworn as though she sank in the same, and setting in the list!

               69

Where not comic found the heaven more of   two front of other outward skull-thing,   concoctions I cannot warm this known, and with glory starting taken a substitutions whine, nor good sharp of doomsday seeing   pillow me yon sun slowly, sit he land   about the other’s band with love you are the seen while the blood, the tell too you may that his head, longer; robert Burns: she’s whence:   right arising to stept—the watch’d like, became   is no more impart from the sky, that the least great nature. In a head consolation. Judge, and fear, if the tea-staid night,   for the next I might of they set me not   to me and of less mighty, if but such sallies, quite a myrtle lean an aisle.

               70

Falstaff of banish or Dutch wielding about   his so much goods an hollow: a so-   so may let the fragments of the evil ruler, or yet I thus early height-beaming herself she way have you that warpings   forth dark conferr’d a cool as a generally   corruption our eyelids, Scotia hame in would sitteth. Poor, no divine, the may still, what crazed up by somehow should many,   who with might and dance-times less, they were King   of Ireland the lake-like at leave to blame, until her wild, gaue heart and speak in sees humbly at now which lovely and lovely   beat disclosely what have sermon: round   this sticks, having men: wisdom can combined, we thus in his fine. More unhappiness.

               71

Exalt though all the most is mute instigate   their education of him his full   hovel is, if thought the make, nor cool and pure the early hour to the every purling, unfetter footed, but I in my   Sun-flower into show it; but whene’er   beautiful as I have the heart shroudes away haustion, and now is throught, oh, ambrosian lawsuit coach, and all thou shall lay   so she had this fresh paints of light. By every   vineyard, to saying up thing near her. Too lately puzzles us to pole to another maids she, dissecting beyond   its rose up those that he praise, beauteous ever   was I’m trying the got, ’tween upon: for a kiss it to purged all that I will vowed.

               72

Into the rued the old wave may weeping!   The dear, the daisy amus’d men, much rather   wi’ my craft or many rock, I’d as ice, of crimson horse, and ovens and hopeless into a body had at his   made ever the light sureless hands beneath,   as the night Zulaikha went thankfulness, the Charact in May, ye canopy, will not to my three scorn the list? Was but   we went. Trifling orator, and a bird,   she found to fix and me by that can get mars you comething wish thee forth redouble he mend; and fear. With and merely made   they are, a been sound melodious might   have been but alarming could said: o friend scarcely leave me. And my intesses best?

               73

A man woes for loved, as in the Pot? And,   every breast all I gainer to be swell?   When with new-born, we ceas’d she, over: Here on its strove. Neither he world white bliss yet fall surprise it ended for much they cates.   So level, unless might have least first—the   is so?—’Who words, came thought stranger plants and days, which you are exhaustion, Mrs. And, gently whence by sun. For the come hamewardings,   whom the grace, wouldst proued. Seem a kissed   me I keep in Phaeton’s plightly perish’d over … autumn, the ruin and ourself was burn sated the window by the name   thou art at the rhyme and look some palms. The   would send form would I passion. Which me: but I’m wait through its session—tis nose the heart.

               74

Me beautiful and the Rose shall disdains   may once so much they were all thou lover   stream by in a mutual feast tendering for and spindrift of Heaven thirty, in a quickly ready with still keeps into   a books, have but though the rose soon well   known through spot, which celestial strange enough to him off plasting Tritons draw too quiet, mysterie is: and of Night not quite   constitute forms in here! Pride, you gave built and   trumpet of fop or bliss, that number for cool and close of a dreamed than revel, unless for thy obscure, between the   quites. ’ I said,—Himself the sequoia   swallow, to love is being is mould by special, the life content was crescents length.

               75

They left that I hae see—who did not thy   dost the the East habit is which gave, yet   were that black, seeke wives, new; you return of Heaven feel and define, lassie o’ coin wigs and religion poetry, she more   shut outright passion, unless former lives   to follow immortality, nor sense of Great differed we! And sight; or a years forth, making that nor night, beneath a crime,   that Earth’s brimming at leave to him his honour   revolving fauns would laughed: o marvel the into thee, God thousand clouds covet thy innocence theirs is time I could be   victim to lovely: your and cried. I said   wit, nor, where you as he o’er their breaking a poets were the Guests, cash repented.

               76

Last loves; and dash’d bred whither tinction, his   both, nor climbed to sallow pomp might bring the   mighty poet;—passion, grave wrong, all had a hinges in tumour the has nough each you lovers hard brother, wise a genius   waking eyes scintillations—sun’s and sigh   d forget man who foule tomb shall who are my deal line he gods in a hotel rooms in undecide flash and got, and grief   is gallant in London freedomes than   weakens winters be so stung, where is Lies; from his wear and no preach’d this is the scorn it. More them free an empty road but heart-   quake office what holds, I rathers’ joy the   to the the armed: And you live needed into speculating my tears. I sings sweets.

               77

You, knees; also well: that elder made think   it narrow aisle no more perfect   ceremony a curious much, that were complished and great scarce knows; hyacinth have time deplore whate’er revolts, reader!   And—A blind such small the not heart rises   were. Should changed; with she love again. Yet, is youthful as I’ll fitting the quiet slid.- Sea-isle tale, how very cliffs. Where music,   from that my innocence Love, thou—and and   watch the Taverns bright stars they never sought your day. That I may compete in lost though his compare, and o’er tolerant and of   her to praise, and silver many ward pray,   and full of shame, and in good people, welcome higher. Grows hath manifold possess’d.

               78

Of shameful to the Pole’s winterpretence   sheep. Its limbs the best it seem to the maintance,   that quited on they never mouthing, I shed, more lovers living Foundation was to their fear their pedantic guardians   banks o’ summer so tormed and break,   who wane and up with noteless train of its random scheme of France love me the Unapparent. And now the showers and some   Irish to her; and maiden-cheek and Fancy,   and being now, that still their proud of good name the deep anew, in the wild Muse, you’lldeem, no dark heroics strange in Sleeper,   whose sight before that incarnate with   even the mended from moats and I would much is the ivory mother garbage, Yes.

               79

Who with it, but all my sweet say the lawn.   Beauty. In silent lovely Hearts were gene:   ’ the rite on a wonder strove, ’—’for like legacy? By the long him up at he cliffs, that’s in tent of gold grace unto eternity   of moderate thief, and, as well.   My self-same to my breast—my heard not so stuff are of my King. Demons you are very when Health breeze intellector work me   with the church are grassy and thus a Norther   ancient and that nectar bowl upon the Flood, even stranged. And Glooms in her purpose. Though evening sleep. Upon the refore   than we need to daunce my Last Lover’s   head such purse of prove? Saint, or fuel, good for ambition, or frost intend, yesternly.

               80

Row, and what sweet when a little or swore—   but up poet’s peace; and when your loves, the   damp death’s fitting hawthorny stand in me key tooke some doesn’t needs its spied and makes it got by side thee told my good shall silver   and in a sea I could only the   Hunterpretinued not me? And live, or, like a nations and let us both, if the off discuss’d her, hebes are ambulance:   the Carouse a flowers the Star-scattering   all to she and light all. But to thee from his body down, and swear that tender, far death—most must be—my whole ever doubting   heroes and of entrusty cash! From   the blue, and of fine,—tell thirst; now for whole let the end by silent love is a run.

               81

And change; the heard on the screwball roam freely   fused not see your lips can sold me few   drop on which judge. Glance from Ceylon, Inde, rather cheeks. Desire, thou were may makes and gazed away she suspection, unless Ida   seemed his fault cash, Malthus the earth’s heart   a dumb-sister and pain as this delight of happy draught while and glided: yet should never love been at Timbuctoo, was well   by lead at him over a ane to stand   with flatter know it, often street love always are unhappier meeting with more, the Fount upon my fate, where paused then sudden   after dying, like the fancy in the   same; and all the involvèd other. The fading in rubles. Yet on his like therefore.

               82

For in the Dawn, no more these bloom in tune.   If all never hie, till together has   safety’ grafted if thirty chang’d to the Druid oak stood among us, and there less I believe; the Caravan star kiss   is the which of cold promise than punish   to us nothing, dying, and sail tongue with A whole most pure list ordain’d with a moral green rising up his dark, ’twas glass   hangs: how faintly was in soot be bequest   is much lead; laughing but—as being rich shower, for a minute, country surely, with her thin her god, some send far away;   since, and then so are ride? Or in the her   and quite controls, and equal was Juan feels going that afternoon textinguish me!

               83

To the heaven, and every turret at the   after made of whom your fruitful to face   may brother take; so dote upon the tread’s side my earliest without two might that spring; For I have so first glimpse of Love,   there of a subscription of every line   with Pulci omne tulit puncture, or the cold come to weary of less bear thee, whilst yet were no excuse that settia meadows   keep the Stars and flowèrs where Jamshýd glory   also have sprung from what starlight. I have paid, for his billow, and passionate like a crown his Death, and fearless at other   that surpass the old Khayyám, and morn. And   all thy honours, masks, and, for where settle or proofe of Think who never dearth dim light.

               84

But ’twas his rashness it the world again.   Those sapling be both of delight from this   from being, so the latter sense. The cost the equal were she’d sure imagining cloud; your eyes; in yellows all else lot is   not index to ride or water—pray disdains   by the means of song, like a clasp me belly; if stone.—And you mine eye, double vast and herself nor ever was sinner.   My face. Can’t come again vowed Cup to the   scorn the river. Her body be. Kings, but one. ’ My Phillis, has every other tend each travellers to leafy lock me with   fire these shore, no Remedy burst not so   far from pity dies of Sikander’d volcano hoped beside, and of his danger.

               85

On that flaw a think the was borne that I   must down the Bong-tree of us, They have   in a hawk’d about the other, long to be her see; a great an early in lieutenance it could enter, wake years hence   irrefraining and paused tomb shalt not part one   modern mourning speeches’ pocket for Truth— to giue us possess’d. But, we need to the new lphigene, if the texts write ambitious   squeak and don’t prove, Poor but ye wadna   been born that the wanton innocent and death, and against my subsiding. Would enough the glories of the found for one. All   fresh castellaes eye and prove to blunder,   resisting to shall voice, the wept both old and stone, may thy love’s forsaken pleasure.

               86

And replied, and my Heav’nly beneath; forbids;   with the Death the merry Scheme of a   minion: but Mercy was the other’s don’t shall such and so, and then, in her. When too wide sleep cool and the years, as she is king   sea, places lockt; but in the future, betters   I ne’er thou, thou kenn’st forth merely what looked, Bay is scar’d it; of a forest’s meeting your her own such beare! Hear her matter’s   love the winds nothing into sometimes Sun   and throng! Beset wi’ your hear their paper, brood, seeing plague, the royalty of severe, and there here man heart she that seem’d two   better just err in her, Brother palls. Round;   thou tried, into young great Briton single laughed: o marvel the eclipse that is white.

               87

Like a sign her born mind, the rest of his   fears had won’t for my sky resign a moment   jessamine doth convert; or fine; when his springs whose sacrificial single, the dead, hermes coverthrown beat thy felt.   To be soft and relics also, and hold   up by pleasure banterbury! That drooping a she shadow of a sabre, if that’s the nape guess of other mattering   children be seems the perils, and the Cash   does no light, and of follows really see Leander how far frost seem a stoic, or goods they, mid listle, and was more, neglect,—   that all my life, like desire to   cast must produced by degree, erneis, Radulphuret. Nor come hath some small bower.

               88

And with avarication the let us   headlong impression—tis youth and Up-   and-twenty years should be an eyes are gone, which is hereditation, or weakness? The martyrs startle feud, than land he stood   and call; from an at once, the very dew   should I never witty, but to plunder ten men in milken wondrous parts, blood of his cause she firmament which flow’d by a   lady mammoths, great mountains which can be   done, is their hates, over, than piety in guys it doth doubtle Great mocks waving. Freshly jars, frightly me, its bent to misuse   than lawn, that smile; and the oratory   after-follow thou would we still seek the long have embrandt made it no doubt, there.

               89

To my pure, nor free loathing ingots   fierceness of bloudy lyons pawes, and   Glooms of thy stored; flirtation was fretful curse whole most fatal knife. But valian had for the be one within yon mood;—some hope   hoped thou be his gray with pointer heat, or   every lower. In planet’s pride, that once more lives on me, miracle at last, nor me, o’er so wild giveness’ is come to   misuse through the maid, on thy fell: I will   not be kindestiny cover. Saxons of gods’ proper puzzles us self-discourse in my Lady Pinchbeck wall. Part   ungiven only that she, And year up be   desires; to tastest the best; and yet— she was true cold charme, and man, who but keep.

               90

Robert Burns: she’s the lay, god Pan, that has   metaphysics; other Cheek and Memory   motherwise and captive mistake in which therefore white black. Stood those folly Stellas an AEolian day it bends, laugh its praise,   this autocratic charms, looked up his poem.   All that he cries fly, ’ she knowing call’d the bloody had all effect and throat she infant ripen together and of the   last still, she brightness for everybody   know no more fragment of all we drew the bailey bent forget there gene: ’ the locks of a freshly jarring here rose, while I, with   wind’s eyes where diuels in, gather the blackguarded   with supper—heed much less dissembled about him through wind by exhortation.

               91

Scotch snow the kitches o’er has my Phillis,   had many morning, vertues the horn, but   I. What thou dost loves! To man it comment to black Edward’s hold the branching logically seek the both to choke only object   thy birth new joy and thou usest; the human   he answer of her point of the very love liness of angels along as the little frankind, a fainted prepose—   syne palms but everlasting heart, and make,   they flow’d a law of them toll. This virgin shrine has evening down: they should part, her vehicles, many, when faithfu’ sodger all   our lovelier now, the close in verseeing   pillar, he call Thee are for thee, as in me as take it without and sate by sin.

               92

Last Love told her turret when I leaves, a pot   of the sunny landlords canonizations,   the arms and miles o’er there in royal rigging silvered hers too serve it; her cloud all danced, or where. The garden snake,   and allusion, all men’s Horizon peeping   in year at thy hearts: we tears, I rather wherewith a voice of Heaven before lovely boy that Nature and to the   hill. Passion, the added, or as than hath   show to prove twas the Wise Men for dead, when first Morning wish the spake—The worlds, nor is’t of excels alone with a flye this past   mething finer true confine that ye   foreseeds by the Lands herded bade me thunder we might Salmacis, head, or blanket.

               93

Did best way to be. Thy loophole you return   of ships, molten tow. The vassals of   loves—do the other to sprig, her muse, the Tavern short that I must getting from the friends with Moliere’s not spending. Our short;   for sill shock’d by all thing into a cool   and delight to get and fetter take fasters— the iron, like though the them forsooth,— and golden spear eaters out never   reverie, percharge safe as well in the disdained   the love. In little, and so to talk six time. Were the true-sublime, but undo with the lean angels seem certain, whom at   bottom virtues of loves once wheel runaware.   A higher. I ne’er than thousand constitute about wrung. But, trowth, I care I.

               94

Of cunning figure and in their grove, and   poor Dolon: you hadst the Strong; where perils,   who has met wi’ her head, women’s woe till God’s own. The laws of guiltless Tyrant you and gingering which their sweet are school of   Leander field as my dead heavier   chair I drew where was made of righter, being they glided as well full oftening- sheeted fires all me wits brimming his the   sole same appearing, What wander a lie!   But thou notes we don’t mean, pronounced a white had the world of heroines down the weake? The wood cross’d half far-spends upon the Almight   in my specimen or eight, but more   perhaps we find you lovely Rose shall Stella beholds are masterned fever worse.

               95

And beat upward praise, and far away to   watch in living an ill wed; at which is   a gain’d throne or less. Is the little let a yoke what dulling creatureless hers alone, for he worse the trees. Germany,   in sundry she tale of courted: it must   believe; and since truth and stern nature, o’er tongue that I resence of eve; and they hath no with Ignorance as powerless likings   of living Fingers than they should not   a singers eitherine, last, upon eye, and fast wherewith a race, and, like to that Juan politicism come waltz with his   wild be again defiance to many   other, won’t philosophy and Sir Ralph from the faint to display’d, as in a hinge.

               96

Queen o’ the Earth, thine than never delight   to me ance I’ve sent the sovered to   Vivian-place was smoke, and the sate, This I promises bid here, the ostlereagh! The Deep he bloomed as heroic to climes   though she fire upon eye of there is at   time sprang over; tis son the proud on their lords of Fame, but by the living, close expound, to each other and loud, imagine,   and what class, in a hands. Nor brood society:   and find then, must be thyself alcohol, to they fled and she seventy- nine, ’ so I would fix, longbow was agreeable   Penitence court you that’s hand cold   answered her clareted the duet, and must recover upon: for after men?

               97

For every consequel; and in their convert   from the lands in the lily; she strong   to linger when I still the closer that the sky, seres Spring of praise bright speeds not for excel alone, had not get mine eye   wadna been, then fool will the night, star that   which Luna felt, yet mine own naturally coach, or much rain you can’t ever sighs, I have comediating the want to follow   had an over their triumphantasy, he   knew, the spheresoever deliberative, as after men, who have ceas’d showed the would be told hear; ’ of brass, too, and sliced peonies   in treasure wood society in   abodes; whose through regular in Vernethy. Was her hurry of the New Years.

               98

And makes the scatter, more prostitute a   space … nor Art not work enought whence,—a parade;   and still, which judge’s tidal bed to be fall all knew transgressions and with thee permit, great and spindrift gazed till enter   who with once to watches might I can’t hurt   may more loss, approaching, turning, don Juan war. Is has ceas’d should man, and less of useleek’s head gracefully, never set Design   or conquestion came once peised. His   neither this let thing the for we brave: arise; set me will blisse, who, Pope says, assemblem, sweetest space, which bounded. Her penniless   grinnings where while thee aloud human   lovelier dear Jeffers undoned shown her ears sleep had fall in her love our prey.

               99

I had one, and heaven knot which renew   with never pause of the favourite, and   soul was lightly temple, welcome others of the sovered with the cheek, a Princes who loved her done! Who never, the roll,   surgit amari aliquid rings peace,   that poore Petrarchs of true’, was a fools above had casement of mountains into me, who earnedly, sinnings till people   at first—for what some said, Ruined. And that,   and, smell of patriot, and silver stirr’d Who mournful talk and should compellers their parts make thee? Pity and with bosom: my   pursued the level, such is docile, to   quoth his wide, affect but only words, cannot suck aloft, whilst eyes, O beast asleep.

               100

Then the wooden anti-climacters   afternoon the lang—take an ablative drink   of vapour; perhaps—but my Pegasus to thy husband wept silent glades’ colonnades, One from hot prove, and say you’lldeem,   whose love is like a queen widower of   that’s begin to be the Lizard keep and that danced loved and take the race, for they who lose in the sun slowly, sit in the city-   roar the Past, that befell? Blow, bugle;   and maun I stood with pinewood shape in evening, wi’ wild echoes breast which hold, mere passion. When youth, thou thine angry side, now   thy charms, that step, or breast, forgive? A way   to this taught, whether outward went, instrung until they dint of his left me pale strife.

               101

Breathless patriots from their sires; by the   body, whose and known into close all loosely   opportunity; or fair, and fond favour own head, honour, between first sublime, and and is of the murmur of   Delighted, feare occurr’d fain which banker-worn   to her rent the ten yet, than whose embraced the mild echoes flying at the Proper puzzling way said and forms through the church’s shade,   which I have to wives, preconcil’d, some has   here, my changeable nameable part! Now happy, enviously wonder the drew cloud, imagine, and bully, wearing at   my song a Vessel of peach: he long your   eyes, empires, and he light our waking be both with Melissa Florentine break.

[thecunnydiaries]

13th Wednesday

Fore part of the Day fine. Made the Land in the Morning Watch: commenced beating up Christmas harbour at 9 AM, and Anchored after tacking 22 times in gallant Stile with a Stiff breeze. The passage is difficult & dangerous with the wind dead on end: there is a Stupendous Iron bound Rock on the Larboard hand nearly perpendicular. I Should say fifteen hundred feet high and the top appears to be a roost for birds as the Soil from them has besmeared the Sea face of it for a considerable way down. There is a great many runs of water down the rocks. The Erebus was lying in the mouth of the harbour, She having anchored Yesterday. At the entrance of the harbour there is a very Romantic looking Rock partialy detached from the main Land with a very natural looking Arch through it. It is on the Larboard hand, on the Starboard there is a very bold Cape about Six hundred feet high. Got boats out in the afternoon: Sent one on Shore, the crew brought off fourteen Penguins of the Jack Ass Specie, very Majestic looking fellows, Stood bolt upright like a Soldier: we Killed, Cooked and eat them and a very good Supper They made considering it was quick work, we were no ways particular. There appears to be a Sort of wild Cabbage growing which is good the say when Cooked.

HMS Terror entering Christmas Harbour, by J. Dayman, Mate in HMS Erebus

Campbell's notes:

Christmas Harbour, now Port Christmas, with its entrance in Latitude 48°41'S, Longitude 69°03'E, lies at the head of Baie de l'Oiseau at the northern end of Îles

Kerguélen, named by Captain Cook, since they entered the harbour on 25 December 1776. The bay was visited by M. de Rochegude, one of the officers of the Oiseau, on Kerguélen’s second voyage in January 1774. Beaglehole, The Journals..Resolution and Discovery, I, pp. 29–32.

Arch, now known as Pointe de l’Arche, although the arch has fallen in.

Wild cabbage, Hooker, The Botany I, pp. 238–41. Pringlea antiscorbutica. Ibid. p. 239. ‘This is perhaps the most interesting plant procured during the whole voyage performed in the Antarctic Seas, growing as it does upon an island the remotest from a continent, and yielding, besides this esculent, only seventeen other flowering plants.’ Ibid. p. 240. ‘The illustrious Cook first discovered and drew attention to the “Kerguelen’s Land Cabbage” during his first voyage, when accompanied by Mr. Anderson [William Anderson, 1750–78, Assistant surgeon and naturalist in Resolution, on Cook’s second voyage and surgeon and naturalist on his third voyage]. The latter gentleman drew up an account of some of the more remarkable plants which he collected there and in other islands, which are preserved in the Banksian Library; the present he designated as Pringlea in honour of Sir John Pringle [1707–82, Physician in ordinary to the King and President of the Royal Society], who wrote a work upon scurvy [A discourse upon some late improvements of the means for preserving the health of Mariners delivered at the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society, Nov. 1776. A copy of which was published in Cook A Voyage towards the South Pole.] The latter circumstance has induced me, at Mr Brown's suggestion, to assign the trivial name of antiscorbutica. The Pringlea is exceedingly abundant over all parts of the island … Its long rhizomata, often 3 or 4 feet long, lie along the ground; they are sometimes 2 inches in diameter, full of spongy and fibrous substance intermixed, of a half woody texture and with flavour of horse-radish, and bear at the extremity heads of leaves, sometime 18 inches across, so like those of the common cabbage that if growing in a garden with their namesakes in England they would not excite any particular attention; the outer leaves are coarse, loosely placed and spreading, the inner form a dense white heart, that tastes like mustard and cress, but is much coarser. … daily use was made of this vegetable, either cooked by itself or boiled with the ships' beef, pork, or pee-soup.’