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.
Second day of Spring, the winter blanket lifts.
Today a blue sky, as it was a year ago.
Chris read widely and deeply. This found form in the extremes of her 12 years of five cancers - five major operations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, the awaiting and receiving of test results, and the continuing - when she spoke with rare expression.
At the start of this lot, as she awoke from the exploratory operation turned seven hour surgery:
"I am in a cauldron of pain."
Twelve years later, days before the end:
C : "I feel as if I have the bounty of the world upon me."
P : "What do you mean?"
C : "I feel so lucky."
Thank you again to all who loved and cared for Chris.
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