Dedicated to my friend Scudder who passed away this week.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
'Invictus'
By William Ernest Henley
Photo by Alistair
4 comments:
I am on an eclesiastic exchange in Paris and I have a great difficulty obtaining regular copies of my favourite paper. As an update I wonder if any of your subscribers could pass on any info regarding Oor Wullie and the Broons. e.g. Has PC Murdoch gained his long awaited promotion? Has Horace started university?. Has the but and ben had an extension? Are there any forthcoming marriages in the family?
Also has Fat Bob managed to loose any weight?I always felt sorry for him having to contend with his name. Is it possible to visit the but and ben?
My learned friend the Reverend McGill has to be commended for his continued interest in Scotland's favourite families.PC Murdoch must surely be a victim of unfair employment practices, having been a PC for the last 75 years. Perhaps the formation of the new Scottish Police Force will open up some new opportunities for him. Wullie continues to live his life on the edge ............of a pail. Perhaps a word in the ear of Children in Need may be in order. Fat Boab continues to struggle with his weight problem much to the chagrin of his social worker who is contemplating care proceedings. She is also taking an interest in the Bairn whose emotional development and sense of identity may well be suffering from having to go through life with no name and in such overcrowded conditions. The recession is biting in the Broons household and they have been obliged to rent out the but n ben in order to keep body and soul together. So no prospect of a guided tour Rev McGill. Perhaps you might consider offering them a short break in your lodgings in Paris as a Christian gesture in such hard times?
I was quite saddened to read the comments from "anonymous". I had not realised that the Broons, and indeed Wullie, had succumbed to the pressures of modern day living.Following much contemplation and prayers, I intend to dedicate my Christmas appeal to providing some measure of alleviation to their problems. My parish includes many expatriot scots who would be delighted to contribute to such a worthy cause. Coincidentally, I do have access to sheltered accomodation in Paris and as an active airline padre I can make approaches to secure transport.
p.s. As I write this, my good lady is busy crocheting a little pail cover for Wullie.
You're good lady is doing sterling work. The weather has taken a dip and the lad's been looking a bit pail lately!
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