A Christmas Garland by Sir Max Beerbohm (e book reader for pc txt) 📖
- Author: Sir Max Beerbohm
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And "jackaclocks," nor dared describe their deeds
As "Life's impulsion by Incognizance."
It may be that those mites have no free will,
But how should I know? Nay, how Mr. Hardy?
We cannot glimpse the origin of things,
Cannot conceive a Causeless Cause, albeit
Such a Cause must have been, and must be greater
Than we whose little wits cannot conceive it.
"Incognizance"! Why deem incognizant
An infinitely higher than ourselves?
How dare define its way with us? How know
Whether it leaves us free or holds us bond?
SPIRIT OF THE PITIES.Allow me to associate myself
With every word that's fallen from your lips.
The author of "The Dynasts" has indeed
Misused his undeniably great gifts
In striving to belittle things that are
Little enough already. I don't say
That the phrenetical behaviour
Of those aforesaid animalculae
Did, while we watched them, seem to indicate
Possession of free-will. But, bear in mind,
We saw them in peculiar circumstances—
At war, blinded with blood and lust and fear.
Is it not likely that at other times
They are quite decent midgets, capable
Of thinking for themselves, and also acting
Discreetly on their own initiative,
Not drilled and herded, yet gregarious—
A wise yet frolicsome community?
SPIRIT IRONIC.What are these "other times" though? I had thought
Those midgets whiled away the vacuous hours
After one war in training for the next.
And let me add that my contempt for them
Is not done justice to by Mr. Hardy.
SPIRIT SINISTER.Nor mine. And I have reason to believe
Those midgets shone above their average
When we inspected them.
A RUMOUR (tactfully intervening).Yet have I heard
(Though not on very good authority)
That once a year they hold a festival
And thereat all with one accord unite
In brotherly affection and good will.
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS (to Recording Angel).Can you authenticate this Rumour?
RECORDING ANGEL.Such festival they have, and call it "Christmas."
SPIRIT OF THE PITIES.Then let us go and reconsider them
Next "Christmas."
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS (to Recording Angel).When is that?
RECORDING ANGEL (consults terrene calendar).This day three weeks.
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS.On that day we will re-traject ourselves.
Meanwhile, 'twere well we should be posted up
In details of this feast.
SPIRIT OF THE PITIES (to Recording Angel).Aye, tell us more.
RECORDING ANGEL.I fancy you could best find what you need
In the Complete Works of the late Charles Dickens.
I have them here.
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS.Read them aloud to us.
The Recording Angel reads aloud the Complete Works of Charles Dickens.
RECORDING ANGEL (closing "Edwin Drood").'Tis Christmas Morning.
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS.Then must we away.
SEMICHORUS I. OF YEARS (aerial music).
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