Sonnetsday 12
You must not wonder, though you think it strange,
To see me hold my lowering head so low;
And that mine eyes take no delight to range
About the gleams which on your face do grow.
The mouse which once hath broken out of trap
Is seldom teasèd with the trustless bait,
But lies aloof for fear of more mishap,
And feedeth still in doubt of deep deceit.
The scorchèd fly which once hath 'scap'd the flame
Will hardly come to play again with fire.
Whereby I learn that grievous is the game
Which follows fancy dazzled by desire.
So that I wink or else hold down my head,
Because your blazing eyes my bale have bred.
(George Gascoigne)
George Gascoigne (1539-1578) is one of the minor Elizabethan Sonneteers, and thus not widely read in the standard university survey courses. He was, however, a prolific sonneteer much respected in his own age, whose output also included plays, masques, and prose treatises.
Tags: Sonnets
Labels: Sonnets, Sonnetsday
posted by Anniina | 6:14 PM
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6 comments
Take my love, take my land,
He robbed from the rich
Then, I talked to my dad on the phone, and he had just gotten hired by a "Big-3" Pharmaceutical to be the Product Manager for a migraine medicine — a huge source of joy for him and for all our family who have been steadily getting more and more discouraged (his previous medical company downsized him out last year). He was fairly jumping up and down, and I was jumping right along!
Next, I totally *rocked* my scenes, and the director had a list a mile long of "good Claire, great Claire" comments, and we got out waaaay early. Plus, she gave us tomorrow OFF, so I am floating - blissful.
Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
Jesus loves you — and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's cocaine conviction is none of our business.
Walk up the steps to the church of Trinità dei Monti for a quick peek inside, and admire the view from the top of the steps. Romantic, isn't it? (pun not intended). The Spanish Steps are bordered on either side by Babington's Tea Rooms, which serves delectable tea and scones in the English style (damned expensive, but yum) and the Keats-Shelley House, where Keats died in 1821. It is now a museum for the English Romantic poets (ugh!).
Take Via Condotti, where you find another nice place to have tea or coffee: Antico Caffé Greco, Rome's oldest coffee house, which was frequented by Keats, Goethe, Liszt, Byron, and other famous people when in Rome ($$$$). I believe the store that sells cigars and a b'zillion different decks of cards and tarot cards is also on this street, can't remember. 
It is imperative that you toss at least one coin with your right hand over your right shoulder (your back to the fountain) into the Fontana di Trevi. One so you can return to Rome someday, two for love, third for marriage. The tourists around here are obnoxious, and the restaurants are sub-par and expensive, so don't eat around here. A good thing to know, if you are ever in Rome on a Sunday (when everything everywhere is closed), the stores around Trevi are open so you are not left supply-less.
Return to the Corso and because you will be doing an insane amount of walking during your stay in Rome, I highly recommend taking a taxi to the Colosseum. Trust me, it's worth it. Take in the Colosseum and try getting pictures of it inside and out, although that is a near-impossibility, because the place is HUGE. Outside, admire the Arch of Constantine, and head up the slope to the Roman Forum, and enter through the Arch of Titus. The Roman Forum is amazing, naturally. If you visit only one place as you are passing through, it ought to be the House of the Vestal Virgins. 
Once through, head up the hill to the Piazza del Campidoglio on the Capitoline Hill. Here, you will see the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius (by Michelangelo) and the Capitoline Museums on your left and right, and the Palazzo Senatorio. Feel free to visit the museums, but in the interest of time, I'd say save these for your next visit to Rome. Note on the left side of the Palazzo Senatorio the statue of Romulus and Remus suckling on the wolf. 
From here, you could go down the steps to the Via d. Teatro di Marcello, and head left and downhill all the way down to Church of St. Mary in Cosmedin, which will be on your left as you reach Piazza Bocca della Verità, and here of course is the famed "Mouth of Truth" — if you are brave, stick your hand in and see what happens. I was totally freaked out, but happy to say, still have my digits intact.
Best thing to do after this church, is to again grab a taxi, and ask the driver to take you to Piazza Navona. Piazza Navona is the location of an ancient stadium for sports and theatrical performances — it was even flooded for a performance including staged sea battles in the Renaissance. Bordered on all sides by palazzos which housed popes, cardinals, and princes the piazza has three gorgeous fountains by Bernini, the most impressive of which is the central one, Fontana dei Fiumi, or the 'fountain of rivers' with statues of the Nile, the Plate, the Ganges, and the Danube personified. After dinner, come back here for a night time photo — amazing. Your choices for dinner are any of the cute outdoor restaurants around the piazza, which serve touristy fare, but are worth it for the atmosphere and view.
If you're not exhausted out of your wits yet (!) you may want to walk from the Piazza Navona to the Pantheon and admire its rotunda. Once you exit the Pantheon, you can get awesome photos of the fountain in front at night. You're also facing another McDonalds right there, if you need to use the facilities. Go up the street on the right side of McD's and in two blocks there is a delicious gelato place.
Ahh, Rome, the eternal city. Always evokes a myriad of pictures in my head, from Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on a scooter, to Julius Caesar entering in triumph, to the belated Pope blessing folks on the steps of St Peter's, to the corny-but-delightful 50's movie "Three Coins in the Fountain", to the wonderful "Gladiator" of late fame.
I had never had a single art history class either, and realized to my chagrin during this semester, my last, that I would have loved to have minored in it. My love of those classes was due in great part to our fabulous professor, Dr. James Callaghan. Erudite, enthusiastic, and infinitely knowledgeable, Professor Callaghan would give us lectures and take us on field trips to see the actual works of art in their respective museums, churches, and palazzos in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Sienna. I loved him, loved his classes, and lost my soul to the works of art, and to Italy. Prof. Callaghan is currently the head of Study Abroad Programs at Philadelphia University, and I just know he is still passing on that love of art to his lucky students.
So, "Proof" has now taken over and we actually have two weeks of tech — 2!!! This is the first time I've ever had the luxury of two weeks' time for this part of the process. Our set is well nigh finished, save for a few final touchups, and it is fabulous — for example, when Claire (c'est moi) goes into the kitchen to grab the coffee, I really have a kitchen to go to — not just a blank backstage space. The costumer is soooo good, and in addition to the director having a say, I have a say, too! I got to nix a pair of slacks today because A) I found the color (light celery green) vomitous and B) I thought they made my butt look big, LMAO :P My character is a NYC professional, so the costumer went and bought a Louis Vuitton bag because my character would certainly have one!! I mean, OMG! To be always so fortunate as to be on the receiving end of this kind of luxury. 
And tonight 'Macbeth' had its closing performance. I am equal parts relieved and saddened. Relieved, because my schedule has been beyond hectic, and it will be nice to regain a small measure of sanity (although "Proof" will now go in full force), saddened because I will miss my beloved Lady Macbeth, and the wonderful group of girls with whom we had so much fun. Yet, this is exactly what an actor's life is about — changes. After each show closes, there is a short (sometimes longer) mourning period, and then we let go, and move on to other projects. I do hope there will be something special beyond the horizon.
Yes. The insomnia is back. I seem to suffer it annually around the equinoxes — I suppose it takes my system its own time to adjust to the seasons changing. I usually am at my most prolific, writing-wise, when I go through these bouts. Thought I'd share one of my insomnia poems. And be gentle, please, I'm fragile :)
some shoes can make us look like we have the insurable gams of Marlene Dietrich, the height of a few glamazons, and pert buttocks of steel (although these will immediately raise the shoes' rating by several notches). I don't know what it is — but there are shoes that have that 'Come Hither'-look no mere mortal can resist.
and mock croc Nine West platform heel Mary Janes which Lady Macbeth wears — sturdy, so I don't fall on my face on stage, yet delicate-looking, which make Lady Macbeth's legs look just-so, and ever so comfortable, so that I can wear them for two hours without ever having to spare a thought for aching feet. One of my cast mates, who plays one of the witches, started laughing at my fervent declaration of passion, but the look on her face was not mocking — she knew exactly what I meant.
to-die-for shoes she just bought on eBay, and at once chagrined and envious, because I desire her shoes now as well, LOL! They would have been perfect for my Lady M, and I would love to wear them in 'real life' as well. These shoes are graceful, bold, tarty and tastefully sexy at once — 
Have breakfast, or grab a cappuccino and croissant really fast, and make sure that you get to the Piazzale degli Uffizi (the courtyard you went through on Day 1) no later than 7:15 am, 7 is better. The reason for this is that the Uffizi tickets are reserved months ahead of time, and the remainder of the tickets go on sale at 8:15 am. They let people into the ticket office in groups of 15 or so, and by 7 am there is already a line. If you get there by 7:15, chances are you'll actually get into the ticket office and 
My other delights in there were Leonardo's 
The Uffizi, once you get in there, will take you a few hours. Afterwards, have some lunch, and head north to the 
There are numerous other worthwhile places to visit in Florence, but the must-sees are now satisfied. If you have more time to stay in Florence, great places to visit are the 
Check into your hotel. You may have a hotel booked already, but my favorite in Florence is the 
Walk to the 
by Vasari (author of the Lives of the Artists). If you have time, go to the top of the dome for great city views. It was here at the altar on Easter Sunday, 1478, that Lorenzo de Medici's brother, Giuliano, was murdered by the Pazzi conspirators during the service. Inside the cathedral is also Domenico di Michelino's painting "Dante Illuminating Florence with his Poem" (1465).
After the Duomo, go make a reservation for the evening at 
Come back to the front of the Duomo, and walk south down Via dei Calzaiuoli, past the church of Orsanmichele, and note the niche carvings on the side of the church, including Donatello's St. George and St. Mark and Verrocchio's Doubting Thomas.
Via dei Calzaiuoli ends at the Piazza della Signoria, where a replica of the original statue of Michelangelo's David stands. The Piazza is bordered by the Uffizi and the Palazzo Vecchio. 
The Uffizi itself is for Day 2, but you cantake a quick look-through the Vasari courtyard with Pinturicchio's Putto fountain at the Palazzo — I always pictured the room where Romeo and Juliet first meet during the dance to look just like this.
Keep walking until you reach the Palazzo Pitti. This was one of the Medici palaces, and houses an enormous number of the treasures in the Medici collections not at the Uffizi. The treasures include several Raphael paintings, e.g. Madonna della Seggiola or Madonna of the Chair (1515) and the Donna Velata (1516), Titian's Portrait of a Gentleman (1540), Artemisia Gentileschi's Judith, Caravaggio's Sleeping Cupid, and my favorite, Fra Filippo Lippi's Madonna col Bambino (c.1450). 
