Tea at Trianon: The Blueness Above

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Saturday, May 10, 2008

The Blueness Above

And to the left a torrent, which as it thundered
To new depths, downpoured unstoppable,
Elemental, white scattering light.

~"Glenariff Waterfall" by Ann Murray

Prize-winning Irish poetess Ann Murray has published a compilation of her poems, entitled The Blueness Above. Ann's words capture not only the splendor of an undying faith but convey the beauty of realities both natural and supernatural. The fruit of meditation, crafted with harmony and restraint, the slim volume is overflowing with matter for reflection, with words that open a window into a world beyond. I must admit that my favorite poems are those that describe places in Ireland. The landscape is painted with magnificence tinged with anguish, as the book celebrates the ultimate mastery of eternal truths over all that passes. For a breath of fresh and holy air, for thoughts that can be seized upon and relished, I happily recommend Ann's book of poetry. Share

1 comment:

Ann Murray said...: I'm very grateful to you, Elena Maria, for promoting the book in this way. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation.
All proceeds from the book will go towards relief efforts in Darfur and Mayanmar.; May 10, 2008 at 5:01:00 PM EDT