Wednesday, April 25, 2012


This, by Despair, bred Hangdog dull; by Rage,
Manwolf, worse; and their packs infest the age.

 (from "Tom's Garland: upon the Unemployed")

Hopkins references "fretty chervil" in "Thou Art Indeed Just, Lord" when he is describing a foresty scene. Apparently chervil is an herb related to parsley. 

boughs dragonish | damask

In "Spelt from Sibyl's Leaves" Hopkins compares tree boughs to damascus steel, which I think is a beautiful conceit.
                   

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Robert Bridges



I just thought everyone could benefit from seeing how manly Robert Bridges looked.
The photo in Mariani on p.315 was pretty small so I found the full version.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

"Our Father" Prayer

I was going through the spiritual exercises this week and got to the part that says "pray an 'Our Father.' " I thought that meant the Lord's Prayer, but then I looked it up, and this is what it is:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within your wounds, hide me
Permit me not to be separated from you
From the wicked enemy, defend me
At the hour of my death, call me
And bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever.
Amen.
http://www.fatherbillsblog.com/heart/2008/03/learning-to-pra.html

So hopefully that helps if you didn't already know that prayer!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Spinkhill, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

This is a view of the area where St. Mary's College is located. Hopkins left Wales for to work in this countryside, which he found "not very interesting." (Mariani 187)
Here's a wikitionary article (sorry it's not OED) about "abeles", which are referenced in Starlight Night. I thought it was an interesting and lovely word.
Turns out an abele is a white poplar!