Areopagus Volume LXIII

Seven short lessons every someday.

Welcome one and all to the sixty third volume of the Areopagus. Autumn is here at last, and I can think of few better messages with which to start this new season than that of Among the Rocks, a short poem by the inimitable Robert Browning:

Oh, good gigantic smile o’ the brown old earth,
This autumn morning! How he sets his bones
To bask i’ the sun, and thrusts out knees and feet
For the ripple to run over in its mirth;
Listening the while, where on the heap of stones
The white breast of the sea-lark twitters sweet.

That is the doctrine, simple, ancient, true;
Such is life’s trial, as old earth smiles and knows.
If you loved only what were worth your love,
Love were clear gain, and wholly well for you:
Make the low nature better by your throes!
Give earth yourself, go up for gain above!

Stirring verse... but on with the show! I was fortunate enough to visit Budapest recently, the capital of Hungary and a city caught in the cultural cross-winds of Europe. Inspired by my surroundings and the rich hi…