As Rosie-Fingered Dawn Rises Above Zucchini Park

and spreads her golden hues across the now scrubbed granite, there is a joy, a freshness in the air.

Oh, and I saw maybe four Occupiers standing around.

Surrounded by 50 cops and probably 15 news folks of various stripes.

13 Responses to “As Rosie-Fingered Dawn Rises Above Zucchini Park”

1. Skyler says:

   November 16, 2011 at 6:52 am

   How Homeresque.

   And then Diomedes hurled his spear and it struck the protestor below the ear, cleaved his tongue and shattered his jaw.

   Oh. Sorry, just continuing the imagery.

2. Skyler says:

   November 16, 2011 at 6:54 am

   I’ve been reading the Iliad.

   And then his eyes darkened.

3. Mr. Bingley says:

   November 16, 2011 at 7:21 am

   And he fell thunderously.

   The police arrived at the Park and the Occupiers fled before them like leaves in the October wind!

   Are you reading the Richard Lattimore translations, by the way? God, I adore them.

4. Skyler says:

   November 16, 2011 at 7:56 am

   Actually, I’m listening to it on CD. I’m still on active duty and I listen to it on my 3 hour drive between Austin and Houston. I’m not sure who did the translation.

5. Mr. Bingley says:

   November 16, 2011 at 8:17 am

   What a great way to fill the time!

   Lattimore also translated some wonderful versions of the tragedies (along with David Greene; I think the University of Chicago Press published them. They’re fantastic as well and easy enough to read in one sitting (I’m not sure if there are audio versions).

6. AliceH says:

   November 16, 2011 at 11:18 am

   Ditto the recommendation of Lattimore’s Iliad. Gray-eyed Athena and cow-eyed Hera told me to say that.

   Wish I still had my copy.

7. nightfly says:

   November 16, 2011 at 5:59 pm

   And Pallas Athena lent breadth and weight to the policeman’s stature, that all protestors wet themselves, instead of the ground; and none of the filthy suitors Occupists escaped unarrested.

   I love the classics.

8. Skyler says:

   November 17, 2011 at 6:42 am

   It’s Fizgerald’s translation.

9. Mr. Bingley says:

   November 17, 2011 at 7:00 am

   That’s rated a pretty good one as well, Skyler. A good choice. According to “folks in the know” Fitzgerald’s Odyssey is in a somewhat more readable modern English whilst Lattimore’s is more accurate to the original Greek.

10. Mr. Bingley says:

    November 17, 2011 at 7:08 am

    Actually here’s a neat article that actually gives some line-by-line comparisons of the translations:

    Lattimore renders lines 32–34 of Book 1 as follows:
    “Oh for shame how the mortals put the blame upon us gods, for they say evils come from us, but it is they, rather, who by their own recklessness win sorrow beyond what is given.” (p. 28)

    Fitzgerald renders the same three lines as follows:
    “My word how mortals take the gods to task! All their afflictions come from us, we hear. And what of their own failings? Greed and folly double the suffering in the lot of man.” (p. 14)

    Pretty cool.

11. Mr. Bingley says:

    November 17, 2011 at 7:08 am

    Actually actually actually.

    gawd.

12. Skyler says:

    November 17, 2011 at 7:27 am

    Maybe I should be listening to this version for more authenticity.

13. Mr. Bingley says:

    November 17, 2011 at 7:36 am

    Ha! That would do it.

    But I reckon to really be authentic you should also close your eyes, to simulate that whole “Homer experience”.

    But that might cause a problem or two on your three hour drive…