O, Tempora! O, Mores! (E.A.P.)
O, Times! O, Manners! It is my opinion That you are changing sadly your dominion — I mean the reign of manners hath long ceased, For men have none at all, or bad at least; And as for times, altho’ ’tis said by many The “good old times” were far the worst of any, Of which sound doctrine l believe each tittle, Yet still I think these worse than them a little. I’ve been a thinking — isn’t that the phrase? — I like your Yankee words and Yankee ways — I’ve been a thinking, whether it were best To take things seriously, or all in jest; Whether, with grim Heraclitus of yore, To weep, as he did, till his eyes were sore, Or rather laugh with him, that queer philosopher, Democritus of Thrace, who used to toss over The page of life and grin at the dog-ears, As though he’d say, “Why, who the devil cares?” This is a question which, oh heaven, withdraw The luckless query from a member’s claw! Instead of two sides, Bob has nearly eight, Each fit to furnish forth four hours debate. What shall be done?...
This was nice to hear, especially now. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhy "especially now"?
ReplyDeleteShe can't give it up because she cares too much. Yet caring too much can be a reason he gives that she should (give it up.)
DeleteIt's weighed on my conscience that opportunities in love have slipped by me because the timing was wrong.
Is it better to cling to resistance and insist on what the heart wants, even when time is unfavorable, or to just “give it up”?
I don't know if it's better or worse. I wonder if the price you pay ends up roughly the same, either way.
This song evoked those memories: resistance to “giving it up,” as well as acquiescence to “giving it up.”
But denying the heart what it wants is one thing. Forgetting what it wants is something else.
It's satisfying to hear this reciprocated in such a haunting, but buoyant song. "Especially now," because these things have been on my mind.
Otherwise, one could be led to believe that they're the only person who ever feels this way. Everyone has a story like this in their lives, I'll bet, which is as melancholic as it is encouraging.
I see, said the blind man.
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