March 30, 2004

  • The Horn at Midnight


    (See the two previous entries.)


    Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 4:


    HORATIO


    I think it lacks of twelve.

    HAMLET


    No, it is struck.

    HORATIO


    Indeed? I heard it not:
        then it draws near the season
    Wherein the spirit held
        his wont to walk.

    A flourish of trumpets,
    and ordnance shot off, within


    What does this mean, my lord?


    ……………………………………..


    HORATIO



    Look, my lord, it comes!


    Enter Ghost


    HAMLET


    Angels and ministers of grace
        defend us!
    ___________________________

    In memory of
    Peter Ustinov and Alistair Cooke


     


    From today’s New York Times:


    Mr. Cooke’s daughter contacted Mr. Cooke’s biographer to inform him of her father’s death at midnight [on the night of March 29-March 30, 2004].


    ANGEL 


    On Peter Ustinov, also from the New York Times:


    “He received [an Emmy for his role] as Socrates in ‘Barefoot in Athens’ in 1966.”


    The Times on “Barefoot in Athens”:


    “Socrates falls from grace, and becomes the lone voice of democracy amongst the corruption of his fellow Athenians in this television adaptation of Maxwell Anderson’s play.”


    MINISTER OF GRACE


    On Alistair Cooke in today’s Times:


    “At Jesus College, Cambridge, Mr. Cooke edited a literary magazine, put on plays and acted in them as a co-founder of the Cambridge Mummers, and pursued a rigorous social life….


    Quiller-Couch taught him about writing.”


    GRACE


    For more on Jesus College, Quiller-Couch, Socrates, and grace, see


    The Circle is Unbroken.

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