secreti celant calles et myrtea circum
silva tegit: curae non ipsa in morte relinquunt.
Here, those which rude love devoured in cruel decay
wander in hidden in paths and the myrtle wood cover
them round; their cares in death they have not left behind.
If, as C.S.L. points out in Problem of Pain, one the healings of the resurrected body shall be a restored will which no longer requires the disciplined exertion of the Christian who must teach it to obey, all the time guarding against its "journey homeward to the habitual self." We shall ourselves be resurrected, but we shall no longer struggle against that curse of our mortal flesh which set up our self as its own god. The self will recognize fully the master which, fighting against its own imbalance, serves imperfectly now. I wonder if Virgil is not so far off of Hell in his Campi Lugentes. A sinner restored to his body with all the memory of all his sorrows, and no inclination towards the dulling medicine of forgetfulness and self-commendation would decay indefinitely pining for those imperfect goods he bowed before in this life. His cares would not leave him behind in death, neither being released from his hands nor pardoned for him. He would be just like a disappointed lover, ever tormented by himself. Also, if it needs to be said, exspectamus resurrectionem mortuorum!
I taught 8th grade Spanish today, and supervised the cafeteria. Lux and M came over after school and we had coffee, talking about Ethan Frome (which Lux finished), Baby H, Lemony Snicket, and Shakespeare Night, which is beginning to take shape. I read Aeneid VI, Iliad II, Rev. 10, Is. 40, Cicero, and Udolpho. This is a little gem from The Sea-Nymph
Sometimes, a single note I swell
That, softly sweet, at distance dies
Then wake the magic of my shell,
And choral voices round me rise!
It could be called "The Lot of the Tam-Tam"
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| Romney, I'm convinced all people shall be saved! |
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| LOL! |
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