What Really Happened to Moonlighting?

dawnsfire wrote:Only because: a) I'm a medievalist; and b) I read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series (that line from Catullus is engraved inside her wedding ring). Besides, if I'm not entirely mistaken, the sentiments are at opposite poles?

Indeed the sentiments are at opposite poles which is why I chose them, yes, I'm a sneaky bastard But, to thy credit oh Queen, such a challenge we did set before thee as knowest we only too well thy keen eye, thy dextrous mind, that aspect of the merlin in thy noble contennance and how it did tempt us so! lo' thou didst not dissapoint.

...da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.
dein, cum mia multa fecerimus,
conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,
aut nequis malus invidere possit,
cum tantum sciat esse basiorum

...Then let amorous kisses dwell
On our lips, begin and tell
A Thousand, and a Hundred, score
An Hundred, and a Thousand more,
Till another Thousand smother
That, and that wipe of another.
Thus at last when we have numbered
Many a Thousand, many a Hundred;
We'll confound the reckoning quite,
And lose our selves in wild delight:
While our joys so multiply,
As shall mock the envious eye.

(it's an old translation...)

But an excellent rendition, and most fitting. Catullus is among the few ancient poets I can actually tolerate and his poems to Lesbia are striking for the manner in which they trace the birth, maturation, and death of a romantic relationship.

BTW, I'm unfamiliar with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, can you give me any insight? Think an Austenphile would care for them?

RM

Come to think of it, I believe Lord Peter quoted that to Harriet in one of the later books--da mi basia mille, that is--and it made me smile for knowing the reference.

'Tis true--thou art, as thou dost say, a "sneaky bastard." But i' sooth, that is the reason we hold thee in such esteem, for the workings of thy mind are ever a pleasure and wonder to us. But thy o'er fulsome flattery, when joined with thy previous claim raises some fear in my heart that thine intent is none so pure as thou wouldst have me believe.

If thou dost hold us in such esteem for our bastard craft, then shouldst thou not accept our fulsome praise? For i' sooth fulsome flattery needs must be discarded roughly, as such it is too coarse for so fine a palate to digest, but ere did we speak ever but sooth to thee? Is our discourse so suspect? Should we be disabled from ere offring thee our honest heart? Dost thee think we choose deceit in lieu of courtesy? Nay, nay oh Queen, our bastard craft aside, in our esteem thy place is most secure, and we do not resort to such sharp practice as fulsome flattery when honest praise is our purpose. If we did offend thee then pardon us our thick tongue, and gentle thy temper in the knowledge that ne'er wast our intent to do ought but pay tribute to thee.


RM

Forgive the maunderings of a wounded and wary heart, my King. As Master Caxton did write in his most excellent translation, He that hath ben ones begyled by somme other ought to kepe hym wel fro' the same. Thou speakest so well, and so cunning, it doth occasionally bring forth a memory sorely buried.
Henceforth, thou having shown me a rare constancy and affection so signal, I shall accept thy speech as the honest praise and plain esteem thou doth intend it. *curtsies deeply*

We need not forgive the maunderings of a wounded and wary heart, my Queen, for wether it be hart or hind, the gadfly's sting is no less irksome, the serpents bite no less poisonous. More than most, my Queen, do we know the wilderness of thy estate having dwelt therein lo' the years gone by, and we would wish thy tenancy to be brief, that in fairer demesnes thou might dwell. Until such time we can but offer thee the shelter of our companionship. And as wit in brevity doth lay, and as good Master Caxton did once translate most thoroughly, shall I not for thy sake, for the sake of brevity, make half the effort to say again what he once so nobly said and in so saying half as briefly prove myself to be half the wit? Once bitten, twice shy, was that not good Master Caxton's point? Then I give thee leave, my Queen, that should ere my words offend, should ere my tongue betray, to pluck the serpents teeth from out my mouth for i' sooth, my Queen, my own heart wears it's bruises proudly, and offers naught but solace and gentleness to thee. *bows deeply*

RM

Once bitten, twice shy, was that not good Master Caxton's point?

Indeed, and it was. But I do believe thou hast failed to truly comprehend the meaning of "as wit in brevity doth lay." And certes, I do not dwell constantly in that wild estate thou speakest of, but sometimes it doth exert a pull when I do pass close to its boundaries. But know thy gentle solace shall ever be a comfort to me, as a warm fire doth soothe a frozen spirit.

And as much fun as this has been, I thought we were keeping it to a minimum? Not to mention in some of the fanfic threads?

dawnsfire wrote:

Once bitten, twice shy, was that not good Master Caxton's point?

Indeed, and it was. But I do believe thou hast failed to truly comprehend the meaning of "as wit in brevity doth lay." And certes, I do not dwell constantly in that wild estate thou speakest of, but sometimes it doth exert a pull when I do pass close to its boundaries. But know thy gentle solace shall ever be a comfort to me, as a warm fire doth soothe a frozen spirit.

And as much fun as this has been, I thought we were keeping it to a minimum? Not to mention in some of the fanfic threads?

Heh, yeah I just sorta got carried away - what can I say, you inspire me to lofty heights, and anyway it's not often I get to 'joust' with a fellow mideavalist and one who's actually better at it than me to boot! Glad you liked the "as wit in brevity doth lay" bit, it struck me as funny at the time and very much in keeping with Will's comedy style which I was attempting to emulate. Anyhoo, I'll let this thread get back on topic


RM

RM wrote:Anyhoo, I'll let this thread get back on topic

*places hand over brow searching the horizon full circle*
*drops hand and starts walking off*

"Don't see no tracks nowhere. Oh well, that was entertaining and educational to boot."