Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Come civil night

The song of the nightingale is heard.
Gallop apace, you fiery footed steeds.
towards Phoebus' lodgings; such a wagoner
As Phaeton would whip you to the wet,
And bring in cloudy night immediately.

A nightingale sings only in the evening. Hence, hearing the song of the nightingale signifies the arrival of evening and eventually night.
fiery-footed steeds: the horses which pull the chariot of Phoebus the sun-god.
Phaeton: son of Phoebus. He was allowed to drive his father's chariot for one day. But he lost control. He was destroyed by a thunderbolt sent by Jupiter, the chief god.
cloudy night: a night of disturbance

Lovers can see to do their amorous rites,
By their own beauties; or if Love be blind,
It best agrees with night. Come civil night,
Thou sober-suited matron all in black.
And learn me how to lose a winning match.
.
.
Come gentle night, come loving black-browed night,
Give me my Romeo and when he shall die,
Take him and cut him out in little stars,
And he will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night.
.
.
(Adapted from Romeo and Juliet, Act Three, Scene 2)
Darkness of night makes people blind.

With this, I will give myself (or the blog) a new beginning.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

waseh, haha nice excerpt.. anw, when i read 'with this, i will..' i thought.. hehhehheh..
mh