Saturday, May 9

This Earth, This Realm, This England

As I head back across the pond for my annual pilgrimage, I have (as always) this Shakespearean soliloquy playing as a mental soundtrack to my feverish preparations. Just for the record, I hear it with the lilt of Sir Lawrence Olivier's classic stage delivery--not with the kitsch of the old United Airlines commercial:

"This royal throne of kings,
This sceptered isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, this demi-paradise,
This fortress built by nature herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world.
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall,
Or as a moat defensive to a house
Against the envy of less happier lands;
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm,
This England.
Renowned for deeds as far from home
For Christian service and true chivalry
As unto the Holy Sepulchre itself, this land
Of such dear souls, this dear, dear land:
This England."

4 comments:

michael shipma said...

I was looking for an update on your Sur America trip. Plan to post one?

gileskirk said...

Michael: There are photos on my Facebook page. It was an incredible trip.

Scribbler said...

gives ya chills just to hear this in your head. Have a wondefully blessed trip , Pastor

Jayme said...

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. One of these years Chris and I must chaperone. Enjoy!