David Jones, artist and poet (1895-1974) begins his PREFACE TO THE ANATHEMATA :
'I have made a heap of all that I could find.' (1) So wrote Nennius, or whoever composed the introductory matter to Historia Brittonum. He speaks of an 'inward wound' which was caused by the fear that certain things dear to him 'should be like smoke dissipated'. Further, he says, 'not trusting my own learning, which is none at all, but partly from writings and monuments of the ancient inhabitants of Britain, partly from the annals of the Romans and the chronicles of the sacred fathers, Isidore, Hieronymous, Prosper, Eusebius and from the histories of the Scots and Saxons although our enemies . . . I have lispingly put together this . . . about past transactions, that [this material] might not be trodden under foot'. (2)
(1) The actual words are coacervavi omne quod inveni, and occur in Prologue 2 to the Historia.
(2) Quoted from the translation of Prologue 1. See The Works of Gildas and Nennius, J.A.Giles, London 1841.
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Gerald Murnane's 2010 Nobel Prize odds have shortened on those of previous years. Ladbrokes currently has him 4th in line, at 11/1. Les Murray is also in the leading pack, equal 7th at 15/1.
Two other local stayers are also in the running. David Malouf is mid-field at 50/1 and Peter Carey towards the rear, 125/1.
The winner will be announced tomorrow.
Gerald Murnane regards the track, in a scene from Philip Tyndall's "Words and Silk".
(photo by David Petersen)
detail
A Person Looks At A Work Of Art/
someone looks at something ...
LOGOS/HA HA
