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Often appears with: the fear of death · justice as a virtue · funeral rites and burial · fate, destiny, and necessity · the passions and the emotions · religious persecution and toleration · equity, mercy, and pardon · marriage and betrothal · crime and punishment · plague, famine, and mass death · custom and the manners of a people · conquest, plunder, and captives
Usually: grief and loss (318) · narrative (307) · lament (297) · confronting death (176) · detachment (160) · argument (88) · indignation (78) · wonder (70) · reflection (68) · resignation (59)
“At times I cry aloud for sorrow, but presently I leave off again, for crying is cold comfort and one soon tires of it.” Homer, The Odyssey · insight
“and put myself thereby in mind that this was the fatal day, now ten years since, his Majesty died.” Samuel Pepys, Diary of Samuel Pepys — Volume 02: January 1659-1660 · observation
“There seems now to be a general cease of talk, it being taken for granted that Monk do resolve to stand to the Parliament, and nothing else.” Samuel Pepys, Diary of Samuel Pepys — Volume 02: January 1659-1660 · insight
“It is contrary to common sense to entertain apprehensions or terrors upon account of any opinion whatsoever, or to imagine that we run any risk hereafter, by the freest use of our reason.” David Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion · precept
“And whatso man they call Happy, believe not ere the last day fall!” Euripides, The Trojan women of Euripides · precept
“To die is only not to be; And better to be dead than grievously Living.” Euripides, The Trojan women of Euripides · precept
“O, ye have found an anguish that outstrips All tortures of the East, ye gentle Greeks!” Euripides, The Trojan women of Euripides · vivid
“Lo, I have seen the open hand of God; And in it nothing, nothing, save the rod Of mine affliction, and the eternal hate, Beyond all lands, chosen and lifted great For Troy! Vain, vain were prayer and incense-swell And bulls' blood on the altars!...” Euripides, The Trojan women of Euripides · insight
“Farewell from parting lips, Farewell!--Come, I and thou, Whatso may wait us now, Forth to the long Greek ships And the sea's foaming.” Euripides, The Trojan women of Euripides · observation
“You forget me, but yet surely the Gods, surely remembereth Faith; hereafter again honour awakes, causeth a wretch to rue.” Gaius Valerius Catullus (translated by Robinson Ellis), The Poems and Fragments of Catullus · insight
“Now on a distant shore, no kind mortality near him, Far all household love, every familiar urn, Tomb'd in Troy the malign, in Troy the unholy reposing.” Gaius Valerius Catullus (translated by Robinson Ellis), The Poems and Fragments of Catullus · vivid
“Lament not, Eve, but patiently resign What justly thou hast lost, nor set thy heart, Thus over-fond, on that which is not thine:” John Milton, Paradise Lost · precept
During 17th–19th, Pepys attends near-incognito viewings of King Charles and the royal family, tours memorials in The Hague, visits places connected to the 365 children’s story, and struggles with foul weather for boarding.
not knowing cribbage, we fell into discourse of many things, and the ship rolled so much that I was not able to stand, and he bid me go to bed. May 16. Come in some with visits, among the rest one from Admiral Opdam, [The celebrated Dutch Admiral.] who spoke Latin well, but not French nor English, whom my Lord made me to entertain. Commissioner Pett [Naval Commissioner at Chatham.] was now come to take care to ge…
Pepys records household and personal notes during the war’s pressures, including entries on his family ages, carnal remedies (charms) for stanching blood and cramps, and observations about frost and London entertainment.
a great arch, and is gone quite to a new place in the heavens than it was before: but I hope in a clearer night something more will be seen. 28th. To Sir W. Pen's to his Lady, [Margaret, daughter of John Jasper, a merchant at Rotterdam.] who is a well-looked, fat, short, old Dutch woman; but one that hath been heretofore pretty handsome, and is I believe very discreet, and hath more wit than her husband. 31st. P…
Pepys records fleet movements after the battle on the Dutch coast, worries over communications to Hambrough/Harwich, describes London gatherings and funerals, and notes early plague signs and rising sickness while awaiting major naval news.
now. And our Hambrough ships, of whom we were so much afraid, are safe in Hambrough. Our fleete resolve to sail out again from Harwich in a day or two. 31st. To the 'Change, where great the noise and trouble of having our Hambrough ships lost; and that very much placed upon Mr. Coventry's forgetting to give notice to them of the going away of our fleet from the coast of Holland. But all without reason, for he did;…
Pepys reflects on leaving London streets, stores money in an iron chest, and records the plague’s dramatic spread in his district, describing daily death-focused talk and a forsaken city.
body looks, and discourse in the street is of death, and nothing else, and few people going up and down, that the town is like a place distressed and forsaken. 31st. Up; and after putting several things in order to my removal to Woolwich; the plague having a great encrease this week beyond all expectation of almost 2000, making the general Bill 7000, odd 100; and the plague above 6000. Thus this month ends with gr…
Pepys continues plague and death reporting about Mr. Rawlinson’s household, then follows up with later confirmations, emphasizing the accumulating toll.
10th. Homeward, and hear in Fenchurch-street, that now the maid also is dead at Mr. Rawlinson's; so that there are three dead in all, the wife, a man-servant, and maid-servant. 14th. Povy tells me how mad my letter makes my Lord Peterborough, and what a furious letter he writ to me in answer, though it is not come yet. This did trouble me; for though there be no reason, yet to have a nobleman's mouth open against …
Pepys and his wife attend Polichinello at Moorfields, then on Sunday learn of the Great Fire starting in Pudding Lane; Pepys observes destruction from the Tower and the river, including St. Magnes Church and Fish Street.
were there horribly frighted to see Young Killigrew come in with a great many more young sparks; but we hid ourselves, so as we think they did not see us. 2nd (Lord's day). Some of our maids sitting up late last night to get things ready against our feast to-day, Jane called us up about three in the morning, to tell us of a great fire they saw in the City. So I rose, and slipped on my night-gown, and went to her wind…
Pepys attends his first play since the Plague, judges it as a poor performance, admires courtly spectacle including Lady Castlemaine, and then notes on November 2, 1666 the Ruby French prize vessel details.
any of our enemies this year. It seems a very good ship, but with galleries quite round the sterne to walk in as a balcone, which will be taken down. 4th. My taylor's man brings my vest home, and coat to wear with it and belt, and silver-hilted sword. I waited in the gallery till the Council was up, and did speak with Mr. Cooling, my Lord Chamberlain's secretary, who tells me my Lord Generall is become mighty low …
Pepys goes to Barkeshire-house after the Great Fire, hears of quarrels in the Lords leading to public confession and pardon, and then records a thanksgiving service for plague cessation amid claims it was announced too soon.
and put into the same form that the last was, to come into the Exchequer. And for aught I see, I must confess I think it is the best way. 24th. With Sir J. Minnes by coach to Stepney to the Trinity House, where it is kept again now since the burning of their other house in London. And here a great many met at Sir Thomas Allen's feast, of his being made an Elder Brother; but he is sick, and so could not be there. …
On 29th–30th, Pepys attends a sermon on Galatians and argues Paul’s equality with Peter, accounts his wealth, and marks the tenth anniversary of Charles I’s death with Montrose’s verses set to music.
again. But since thy loud-tongued blood demands supplies More from Briareus' hands, than Argus eyes, I'll sing thy obsequies with trumpet sounds, And write thy epitaph with blood and wounds."] and put myself thereby in mind that this was the fatal day, now ten years since, his Majesty died. Scull the waterman came and brought me a note from the Hope from Mr. Hawly with direction, about his money, he tarrying there …
At Ithaca, servants host Minerva-disguised-as-Mentes and Telemachus, while Phemius plays lyre music; Telemachus quietly tells Athena he is disgusted by the suitors’ waste, mourns Odysseus’ presumed loss, and interrogates her about her identity and visit.
for himself, away from the suitors, that she might not be annoyed while eating by their noise and insolence, and that he might ask her more freely about his father. A maid servant then brought them water in a beautiful golden ewer and poured it into a silver basin for them to wash their hands, and she drew a clean table beside them. An upper servant brought them bread, and offered them many good things of what there…
Nestor asks Telemachus who he is, and Telemachus reports he came from Ithaca seeking news of Ulysses’ death, stressing that no one can say whether he died in battle or at sea.
gave every man his portion and they all made an excellent dinner. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Nestor, knight of Gerene, began to speak. “Now,” said he, “that our guests have done their dinner, it will be best to ask them who they are. Who, then, sir strangers, are you, and from what port have you sailed? Are you traders? or do you sail the seas as rovers with your hand against every man, and eve…
Menelaus, feasting with the visitors, recounts his worldwide travels and grief over the Trojan aftermath, lamenting the murder of his brother and Ulysses’s absence, while Telemachus admires the palace wealth.
of such men as you cannot have been lost. You must be descended from a line of sceptre-bearing kings, for poor people do not have such sons as you are.” On this he handed them39 a piece of fat roast loin, which had been set near him as being a prime part, and they laid their hands on the good things that were before them; as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Telemachus said to the son of Nestor, with his…
Menelaus, feasting with the visitors, recounts his worldwide travels and grief over the Trojan aftermath, lamenting the murder of his brother and Ulysses’s absence, while Telemachus admires the palace wealth.
of such men as you cannot have been lost. You must be descended from a line of sceptre-bearing kings, for poor people do not have such sons as you are.” On this he handed them39 a piece of fat roast loin, which had been set near him as being a prime part, and they laid their hands on the good things that were before them; as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Telemachus said to the son of Nestor, with his…
Helen comes down to join the meal, recognizes Telemachus as Ulysses’s son by likeness, consoles the group with personal memory of Ulysses’s sufferings, and recounts how her wrong love brought her to Troy.
hands. When Menelaus saw this he doubted whether to let him choose his own time for speaking, or to ask him at once and find what it was all about. While he was thus in two minds Helen came down from her high vaulted and perfumed room, looking as lovely as Diana herself. Adraste brought her a seat, Alcippe a soft woollen rug while Phylo fetched her the silver work-box which Alcandra wife of Polybus had given her. Po…
Telemachus urges Menelaus to stop unnecessary crying, tells how Nestor’s counsel shaped his composure, mentions Antilochus’s death at Troy, and Menelaus praises Nestor and redirects the conversation back to supper.
did Menelaus, nor could Pisistratus keep his eyes from filling, when he remembered his dear brother Antilochus whom the son of bright Dawn had killed. Thereon he said to Menelaus, “Sir, my father Nestor, when we used to talk about you at home, told me you were a person of rare and excellent understanding. If, then, it be possible, do as I would urge you. I am not fond of crying while I am getting my supper. Morning …
Penelope learns from Medon that the suitors plan to kill Telemachus when he returns from Pylos and Lacedaemon, breaks down in grief, sends for Laertes, and orders prayers to Minerva.
dislike another, but Ulysses never did an unjust thing by anybody—which shows what bad hearts you have, and that there is no such thing as gratitude left in this world.” Then Medon said, “I wish, Madam, that this were all; but they are plotting something much more dreadful now—may heaven frustrate their design. They are going to try and murder Telemachus as he is coming home from Pylos and Lacedaemon, where he has b…
Demodocus sings how the Argives concealed in the wooden horse sack Troy and how Odysseus weeps unnoticed, until Alcinous stops the song to spare the guest’s distress.
after freighting it with the men who afterwards sacked the city. If you will sing this tale aright I will tell all the world how magnificently heaven has endowed you.” The bard inspired of heaven took up the story at the point where some of the Argives set fire to their tents and sailed away while others, hidden within the horse,73 were waiting with Ulysses in the Trojan place of assembly. For the Trojans themselves…
After escaping the thrown rocks, Odysseus returns to his other ships, shares the Cyclops’s sheep, sacrifices the ram to Zeus, then feasts through the day and sails at dawn with grief for the dead.
rudder. The sea quaked as the rock fell into it, and the wash of the wave it raised drove us onwards on our way towards the shore of the island. “When at last we got to the island where we had left the rest of our ships, we found our comrades lamenting us, and anxiously awaiting our return. We ran our vessel upon the sands and got out of her on to the sea shore; we also landed the Cyclops’ sheep, and divided them eq…
Elpenor, drunk, dies accidentally by falling from Circe’s roof before departure, and the crew weeps as they prepare the ram and ewe for the journey to consult Teiresias at the dead’s realm.
presently come to you, and will tell you about your voyage—what stages you are to make, and how you are to sail the sea so as to reach your home.’ “It was day-break by the time she had done speaking, so she dressed me in my shirt and cloak. As for herself she threw a beautiful light gossamer fabric over her shoulders, fastening it with a golden girdle round her waist, and she covered her head with a mantle. Then I w…
Penelope confronts Antinous, calling the plot wicked and reminding him of Ulysses’ past survival against Taphian attackers, while Eurymachus boasts Telemachus will not die as long as he lives; Penelope then mourns until Athena puts her to sleep.
maidens, and when she reached the suitors she stood by one of the bearing-posts supporting the roof of the cloister holding a veil before her face, and rebuked Antinous saying: “Antinous, insolent and wicked schemer, they say you are the best speaker and counsellor of any man your own age in Ithaca, but you are nothing of the kind. Madman, why should you try to compass the death of Telemachus, and take no heed of su…
Ulysses notices the neglected hunting dog Argos, whose loyalty and recognition confirm Ulysses’ presence before the dog dies; then Telemachus has Ulysses beg among the suitors at the household threshold.
say, therefore—and it shall surely be—if he goes near Ulysses’ house he will get his head broken by the stools they will fling at him, till they turn him out.” On this, as he passed, he gave Ulysses a kick on the hip out of pure wantonness, but Ulysses stood firm, and did not budge from the path. For a moment he doubted whether or no to fly at Melanthius and kill him with his staff, or fling him to the ground and be…
Penelope returns by firelight, orders the tables cleared and the embers managed, and confronts the maid Melantho’s taunts while Ulysses sits nearby planning and responding calmly.
he lay in his bed till morning, while Ulysses was left in the cloister pondering on the means whereby with Minerva’s help he might be able to kill the suitors. Then Penelope came down from her room looking like Venus or Diana, and they set her a seat inlaid with scrolls of silver and ivory near the fire in her accustomed place. It had been made by Icmalius and had a footstool all in one piece with the seat itself; a…
Penelope explains her loss and pressure to remarry, describes her three-year stratagem of weaving and unweaving a funeral pall for Laertes, and asks the stranger for his origin.
thus grieving continually. I shall have one of the servants or even yourself complaining of me, and saying that my eyes swim with tears because I am heavy with wine.” Then Penelope answered, “Stranger, heaven robbed me of all beauty, whether of face or figure, when the Argives set sail for Troy and my dear husband with them. If he were to return and look after my affairs I should be both more respected and should sh…
Ulysses details clothing and identifying features of Odysseus—purple mantle, gold brooch with a dog-and-fawn design, and a distinctive shirt—then Penelope reveals she provided those items and laments Troy.
his men, as you say you did. Tell me, then, how he was dressed, what kind of a man he was to look at, and so also with his companions.” “Madam,” answered Ulysses, “it is such a long time ago that I can hardly say. Twenty years are come and gone since he left my home, and went elsewhither; but I will tell you as well as I can recollect. Ulysses wore a mantle of purple wool, double lined, and it was fastened by a gold…
Hermes guides the dead suitors’ ghosts into Hades through Oceanus to the asphodel meadow, where Odysseus’ victims meet Achilles, Agamemnon, and others and converse in lament about their deaths and proper burial.
THE GHOSTS OF THE SUITORS IN HADES—ULYSSES AND HIS MEN GO TO THE HOUSE OF LAERTES—THE PEOPLE OF ITHACA COME OUT TO ATTACK ULYSSES, BUT MINERVA CONCLUDES A PEACE. Then Mercury of Cyllene summoned the ghosts of the suitors, and in his hand he held the fair golden wand with which he seals men’s eyes in sleep or wakes them just as he pleases; with this he roused the ghosts and led them, while they followed whining and g…
Agamemnon and Achilles recount the lavish mourning for Achilles: Thetis arrives with immortal nymphs, the muses sing, the funeral lasts days, and there are sacrifices and burning rites before Hermes brings the suitors’ ghosts to them.
checked them saying, ‘Hold, Argives, fly not sons of the Achaeans, this is his mother coming from the sea with her immortal nymphs to view the body of her son.’ “Thus he spoke, and the Achaeans feared no more. The daughters of the old man of the sea stood round you weeping bitterly, and clothed you in immortal raiment. The nine muses also came and lifted up their sweet voices in lament—calling and answering one anot…
Odysseus the stranger claims he is from a different land and tells Laertes about the years since his guest was entertained; Laertes laments that his son is dead and asks the stranger for identity and the ship’s fate.
twelve fair mantles, and an equal number of shirts. To all this I added four good looking women skilled in all useful arts, and I let him take his choice.” His father shed tears and answered, “Sir, you have indeed come to the country that you have named, but it is fallen into the hands of wicked people. All this wealth of presents has been given to no purpose. If you could have found your friend here alive in Ithaca…
Telemachus privately questions the disguised Athene about the wooers’ violent ruin and his father’s loss, contrasting her household concern with the wooers’ songs and leisure, and explaining that they consume the estate.
and placed by them platters of divers kinds of flesh, and nigh them he set golden bowls, and a henchman walked to and fro pouring out to them the wine. Then in came the lordly wooers; and they sat them down in rows on chairs, and on high seats, and henchmen poured water on their hands, and maidservants piled wheaten bread by them in baskets, and pages crowned the bowls with drink; and they stretched forth their hand…
Telemachus asks Athene to stay for a bath and gift, promises she will be given something to carry home, and then returns to the wooers as Phemius sings; Penelope interrupts, urging him to stop a sorrowful song about the Achaeans’ pitiful return.
go down to the swift ship and to my men, who methinks chafe much at tarrying for me; and do thou thyself take heed and give ear unto my words.” Then wise Telemachus answered her, saying: “Sir, verily thou speakest these things out of a friendly heart, as a father to his son, and never will I forget them. But now I pray thee abide here, though eager to be gone, to the end that after thou hast bathed and had all thy h…
Telemachus asks Athene to stay for a bath and gift, promises she will be given something to carry home, and then returns to the wooers as Phemius sings; Penelope interrupts, urging him to stop a sorrowful song about the Achaeans’ pitiful return.
go down to the swift ship and to my men, who methinks chafe much at tarrying for me; and do thou thyself take heed and give ear unto my words.” Then wise Telemachus answered her, saying: “Sir, verily thou speakest these things out of a friendly heart, as a father to his son, and never will I forget them. But now I pray thee abide here, though eager to be gone, to the end that after thou hast bathed and had all thy h…
Menelaus welcomes Nestor’s sons and confirms they are of royal lineage, then laments that Odysseus—his greatest fellow sufferer—remains missing, leaving Laertes, Penelope, and Telemachus grieving in Ithaca.
carver lifted and placed by them platters of divers kinds of flesh, and nigh them he set golden bowls. So Menelaus of the fair hair greeted the twain and spake: “Taste ye food and be glad, and thereafter when ye have supped, we will ask what men ye are; for the blood of your parents is not lost in you, but ye are of the line of men that are sceptred kings, the fosterlings of Zeus; for no churls could beget sons like…
Menelaus describes how he would have settled Odysseus’s son in Argos if Zeus had granted their return, and the company responds with widespread weeping for Odysseus and past losses, including Antilochus.
he hath none to stand by him. Even so it is now with Telemachus; his father is away, nor hath he others in the township to defend him from distress.” And Menelaus of the fair hair answered him, and said: “Lo now, in good truth there has come unto my house the son of a friend indeed, who for my sake endured many adventures. And I thought to welcome him on his coming more nobly than all the other Argives, if but Olymp…
Disguised Odysseus travels to Eumaeus’s swine courtyard, is nearly attacked by dogs, and is welcomed by Eumaeus, who describes his master Odysseus as missing and mourning with loyalty to the household.
Odysseus, in the form of a beggar, goes to Eumaeus, the master of his swine, where he is well used and tells a feigned story, and informs himself of the behaviour of the wooers. But Odysseus fared forth from the haven by the rough track, up the wooded country and through the heights, where Athene had showed him that he should find the goodly swineherd, who cared most for his substance of all the thralls that goodly …
Odysseus insists on an oath that he will return within the year and avenge the wooers, but Eumaeus denies that Odysseus will come and instead laments Telemachus’s peril and asks Odysseus to identify himself and his travels.
he is not here, it shameth me to speak, for he loved me exceedingly, and cared for me at heart; nay, I call him ‘worshipful,’ albeit he is far hence.” Then the steadfast goodly Odysseus spake to him again: “My friend, forasmuch as thou gainsayest utterly, and sayest that henceforth he will not come again, and thine heart is ever slow to believe, therefore will I tell thee not lightly but with an oath, that Odysseus …
Penelope awakens, prays to Artemis to die or be taken away, explains her dreams as evil and recalls a dream of Odysseus, and Dawn comes as Odysseus prays after hearing her weeping.
So she spake and poured slumber upon his eyelids, but for her part the fair goddess went back to Olympus. While sleep laid hold of him loosening the cares of his soul, sleep that loosens the limbs of men, his good wife awoke and wept as she sat on her soft bed. But when she had taken her fill of weeping, to Artemis first the fair lady made her prayer: “Artemis, lady and goddess, daughter of Zeus, would that even no…
Penelope explains her earlier coldness as fear of deception and blames the gods, then their reunion turns to weeping, divine timing delays dawn, and they promise rest.
sure tokens that Odysseus showed her. Then she fell a weeping, and ran straight toward him and cast her hands about his neck, and kissed his head and spake, saying: “Be not angry with me, Odysseus, for thou wert ever at other times the wisest of men. It is the gods that gave us sorrow, the gods who begrudged us that we should abide together and have joy of our youth, and come to the threshold of old age. So now be n…
Laertes laments that Odysseus has been missing for years and not mourned properly, then Odysseus in a false identity claims he is from Alybas and says Odysseus left five years ago.
[42] Supplying ὄρχατον from the preceding clause as object to ἔχει. Other constructions are possible. Then his father answered him, weeping: “Stranger, thou art verily come to that country whereof thou askest, but outrageous men and froward hold it. And these thy gifts, thy countless gifts, thou didst bestow in vain. For if thou hadst found that man yet living in the land of Ithaca he would have sent thee on thy way…
Du Bois reflects on Emancipation’s promised freedom, arguing that despite decades of change the nation and freedpeople still lack peace, while portraying wartime liberation as arriving like a violent dream.
had Freedom in his right hand. At last it came,—suddenly, fearfully, like a dream. With one wild carnival of blood and passion came the message in his own plaintive cadences:— “Shout, O children! Shout, you’re free! For God has bought your liberty!” Years have passed away since then,—ten, twenty, forty; forty years of national life, forty years of renewal and development, and yet the swarthy spectre sits in its acc…
Du Bois narrates a father’s fear and grief at his child’s birth within Jim Crow America, calling the “Veil” a shadow over Black life, leading to a child’s illness and death.
yet must ever impatiently await them; away from the hard-voiced city, away from the flickering sea into my own Berkshire Hills that sit all sadly guarding the gates of Massachusetts. Up the stairs I ran to the wan mother and whimpering babe, to the sanctuary on whose altar a life at my bidding had offered itself to win a life, and won. What is this tiny formless thing, this newborn wail from an unknown world,—all he…
Continuing the child’s final days, the narrator hears midnight cries of “The Shadow of Death,” watches the child die at eventide, and mourns the creation of a childless mother.
black fathers stagger a step onward in the wild phantasm of the world; heard in his baby voice the voice of the Prophet that was to rise within the Veil. And so we dreamed and loved and planned by fall and winter, and the full flush of the long Southern spring, till the hot winds rolled from the fetid Gulf, till the roses shivered and the still stern sun quivered its awful light over the hills of Atlanta. And then o…
Crummell’s death is portrayed as his soul fleeing like flame across the sea, followed by Du Bois’s imagined encounter with a pierced King who praises his talents, marking a closing reflection.
are poor,—all men know something of poverty; not that men are wicked,—who is good? not that men are ignorant,—what is Truth? Nay, but that men know so little of men. He sat one morning gazing toward the sea. He smiled and said, “The gate is rusty on the hinges.” That night at star-rise a wind came moaning out of the west to blow the gate ajar, and then the soul I loved fled like a flame across the Seas, and in its s…
Du Bois begins a chapter on the Sorrow Songs, quoting a churchyard hymn and explaining that slave spirituals echo the soul of enslaved Black people and shaped his understanding from childhood.
He looked out where the North Star glistened pale above the waters, and said, “Yes, mammy, I’m going—North.” Then, without another word, he went out into the narrow lane, up by the straight pines, to the same winding path, and seated himself on the great black stump, looking at the blood where the body had lain. Yonder in the gray past he had played with that dead boy, romping together under the solemn trees. The ni…
Du Bois explains the meaning of the slave songs, calling them the articulate message of the slave, expressing joy and also sorrow, exile, death, and longing across centuries of improvised music.
know from the real. But the true Negro folk-song still lives in the hearts of those who have heard them truly sung and in the hearts of the Negro people. What are these songs, and what do they mean? I know little of music and can say nothing in technical phrase, but I know something of men, and knowing them, I know that these songs are the articulate message of the slave to the world. They tell us in these eager day…
Joseph weeps, embalmers preserve Jacob for forty days, Pharaoh permits the burial journey, Egyptians and Canaanites mourn at Atad, Jacob is buried in Canaan, and Joseph later instructs forgiveness and records Joseph’s death.
And Ioseph fell upon his father's face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. And Ioseph commanded his servants that were Physicians, to embalm his father, and the Physicians embalmed Israel forty days long, for so long doth the embalming last, and the Egyptians bewept him seventy days. And when the days of weeping were ended, Ioseph spake unto the house of Pharao saying: If I have found favour in your eyes, speak unto …
Moses, Israel, and Miriam sing after Pharaoh’s defeat in the sea, then Israel travels into the wilderness of Sur, reaches Mara with bitter water turned sweet by Moses’ tree, and camps at Elim with wells and date trees.
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song unto the LORD and said: Let us sing unto the LORD, for he is become glorious, the horse and him that rode upon him hath he overthrown in the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation. He is my God and I will glorify him, he is my father's God and I will lift him up on high. {an hie} The LORD is a man of war, Iehouah is his name: Pharao's …
The Israelites reach the desert of Sin, lack water at Kadesh, and Moses strikes a rock to provide water; Miriam dies, Aaron dies later on Mount Hor, and Israel mourns him for thirty days.
And the whole multitude of the children of Israel, came into the desert of Sin in the first month, and the people dwelt at Cades. And there died MirIam, and was buried there. Moreover there was no water for the multitude, wherefore they gathered them selves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses and spake saying: would God that we had perished when our brethren perished before the L…
Moses tells Israel to remember the wilderness for forty years—manna, clothing, and God’s nurturing—to bless the LORD in prosperity and fearfully avoid forgetting Him in abundance.
All the commandments which I command thee this day ye shall keep for to do them, that ye may live and multiply and go and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And think on all the way which the LORD thy God led thee this forty years in the wilderness, for to humble thee and to prove thee, to wete what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no. He humbled thee and made t…
Paul praises the Corinthians’ “godly sorrow,” describes consolation coming through Titus in Macedonia, reports Macedonian congregations’ generosity, and begins instructions on completing the charitable “benevolence.”
The .vij. Chapter. Seeing that we have such promises derely beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God. Understand us: we have hurt no man: we have corrupted no man: we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have shewed you before that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. I am very bold over you, and …
1 Peter teaches household ethics—wives and husbands, mutual honor—and exhorts believers to unity, non-retaliation, and holy suffering, culminating in Christ’s example and salvation through baptism imagery.
The .iij. Chapter. Likewise let the women be in subjection to their husbands, that even they which believe not the word, may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives: while they behold your pure conversation coupled with fear. Whose apparel shall not be outward with broided hair, and hanging on of gold, other in putting on of gorgeous apparel: but let the hid man of the heart be uncorrupt, with a mee…
The slaughter at Astapa includes especially horrific killings of women and children by their own people, who even throw themselves into flames; afterward Romans arrive and seize only what burns among gold and silver.
extended their line, which the number of their troops enabled them to do with ease, and, surrounding their flanks, slew them all to a man while fighting in a circle. 23. But these, however, were acts committed by exasperated enemies in the heat of battle, and executed, in conformity with the laws of war, upon men armed and most fiercely resisting; there was another more horrible carnage in the city, where a harmless…
Douglass contrasts city slavery with plantation slavery, saying city slaves are better fed and less publicly cruelly treated, while he still describes extreme brutality by Mrs. Thomas Hamilton toward Henrietta and Mary.
In learning to read, I owe almost as much to the bitter opposition of my master, as to the kindly aid of my mistress. I acknowledge the benefit of both. I had resided but a short time in Baltimore before I observed a marked difference, in the treatment of slaves, from that which I had witnessed in the country. A city slave is almost a freeman, compared with a slave on the plantation. He is much better fed and clothe…
Lucretia sends Douglass back to Baltimore after valuation; her death and Andrew’s death leave all enslaved people with strangers, including Douglass’s grandmother, who is abandoned to die alone in a hut.
upon my brother, he turned to me, and said that was the way he meant to serve me one of these days,—meaning, I suppose, when I came into his possession. Thanks to a kind Providence, I fell to the portion of Mrs. Lucretia, and was sent immediately back to Baltimore, to live again in the family of Master Hugh. Their joy at my return equalled their sorrow at my departure. It was a glad day to me. I had escaped a worse …
A massive storm breaks Aeneas’s ships apart as Boreas and Eurus drive them onto rocks and sandbanks, drowning crews and tossing bodies and cargo, while Aeneas laments Trojan dead and lost heroes.
my sov’reign’s grace; and, as your guest, I sit with gods at their celestial feast; Raise tempests at your pleasure, or subdue; Dispose of empire, which I hold from you.” He said, and hurl’d against the mountain side His quiv’ring spear, and all the god applied. The raging winds rush thro’ the hollow wound, And dance aloft in air, and skim along the ground; Then, settling on the sea, the surg…
After landing in the safe harbor, Achates revives fire, the Trojans dry food, feast from seven shared kills, and Aeneas urges endurance while they mourn missing friends, ending the day at rest.
this happy harbour meet, The thin remainders of the scatter’d fleet. The Trojans, worn with toils, and spent with woes, Leap on the welcome land, and seek their wish’d repose. First, good Achates, with repeated strokes Of clashing flints, their hidden fire provokes: Short flame succeeds; a bed of wither’d leaves The dying sparkles in their fall receives: Caught into life, in fiery fumes they …
Inside Dido’s temple at Carthage, Aeneas finds a painted account of Troy’s destruction and is overwhelmed with tears by scenes of the Greeks, Hector’s death, and Ajax-like atrocities.
eyes, Their lofty tow’rs; then, ent’ring at the gate, Conceal’d in clouds (prodigious to relate) He mix’d, unmark’d, among the busy throng, Borne by the tide, and pass’d unseen along. Full in the centre of the town there stood, Thick set with trees, a venerable wood. The Tyrians, landing near this holy ground, And digging here, a prosp’rous omen found: From under earth a courser’s head they d…
Inside Dido’s temple at Carthage, Aeneas finds a painted account of Troy’s destruction and is overwhelmed with tears by scenes of the Greeks, Hector’s death, and Ajax-like atrocities.
eyes, Their lofty tow’rs; then, ent’ring at the gate, Conceal’d in clouds (prodigious to relate) He mix’d, unmark’d, among the busy throng, Borne by the tide, and pass’d unseen along. Full in the centre of the town there stood, Thick set with trees, a venerable wood. The Tyrians, landing near this holy ground, And digging here, a prosp’rous omen found: From under earth a courser’s head they d…
Hecuba-like Andromache questions whether Aeneas comes ashore because fate or storms have carried him, and asks how Ascanius and his family survive after Troy’s fall.
restor’d? Still are you Hector’s? or is Hector fled, And his remembrance lost in Pyrrhus’ bed?’ With eyes dejected, in a lowly tone, After a modest pause she thus begun: “‘O only happy maid of Priam’s race, Whom death deliver’d from the foes’ embrace! Commanded on Achilles’ tomb to die, Not forc’d, like us, to hard captivity, Or in a haughty master’s arms to lie. In Grecian ships unhapp…
Dido’s nurse ushers her toward the funeral pyre, but Dido—stricken and furious—burns herself with Aeneas’s sword and last boasts that her city and vengeance justify her death.
pay my vows to Stygian Jove, And end the cares of my disastrous love; Then cast the Trojan image on the fire, And, as that burns, my passions shall expire.” The nurse moves onward, with officious care, And all the speed her aged limbs can bear. But furious Dido, with dark thoughts involv’d, Shook at the mighty mischief she resolv’d. With livid spots distinguish’d was her face; Red were …
After passing Cerberus, Aeneas hears infant cries and hears the punishment-judgement of Minos, then sees the Mournful Fields of lovers and various famous souls—including Dido and others—while Dido rejects him and hides in the forest of shades.
poverty desire to bear, To view the light of heav’n, and breathe the vital air: But fate forbids; the Stygian floods oppose, And with circling streams the captive souls inclose. Not far from thence, the Mournful Fields appear So call’d from lovers that inhabit there. The souls whom that unhappy flame invades, In secret solitude and myrtle shades Make endless moans, and, pining with desire, …
Aeneas performs rites at Pluto’s gate—sprinkling water, planting the golden bough, and passing the guardians—then enters Elysium, where souls sing, feast, and race, including poets and heroes.
gate, and iron arch above it, stands On anvils labour’d by the Cyclops’ hands. Before our farther way the Fates allow, Here must we fix on high the golden bough.” She said, and thro’ the gloomy shades they pass’d, And chose the middle path. Arriv’d at last, The prince with living water sprinkled o’er His limbs and body; then approach’d the door, Possess’d the porch, and on the front above …