April 1611 - September 2001

In the 490 years since Shakespeare penned this lyric for his Cymbeline the words perhaps have never resonated as much as they do today. I just heard them spoken by Christopher Plummer and I only wish I had recorded them as the quiet intensity he brought to the verse was a moving and an unintended tribute to those who died on this day ten years ago and those who have passed on since as a result of those horrific events.

Fear no more the heat o' the sun;
Nor the furious winter's rages,
Thou thy worldly task hast done,
Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages;
Golden lads and girls all must,
As chimney sweepers come to dust.

Fear no more the frown of the great,
Thou art past the tyrant's stroke:
Care no more to clothe and eat;
To thee the reed is as the oak:
The sceptre, learning, physic, must
All follow this, and come to dust.

Fear no more the lightning-flash,
Nor the all-dread thunder-stone;
Fear not slander, censure rash;
Thou hast finished joy and moan;
All lovers young, all lovers must
Consign to thee, and come to dust.

No exorciser harm thee!
Nor no witchcraft charm thee!
Ghost unlaid forbear thee!
Nothing ill come near thee!
Quiet consummation have;
And renowned be thy grave!

William Shakespeare - Cymbeline

Act IV, Scene 2

April 1611

11 settembre/September - Requiem æternam dona eis