In an effort to educate myself, I am reading The Oxford Book of Essays, chosen and edited by John Gross. [copies for sale here] There’s 142 of the blighters, so it will take me all year. To make this “stick” I am going to blog each essay.
This essay is online
Who was the author: Sir Thomas Overbury (baptized 1581 – 14 September 1613) was an English poet and essayist, also known for being the victim of a murder which led to a scandalous trial. His poem A Wife (also referred to as The Wife), which depicted the virtues that a young man should demand of a woman, played a significant role in the events that precipitated his murder.[1]
Then again, this is very likely by John Webster
What happened the year they were born (and the C02 ppm): x
The Big Events they were alive for: The Armada. Most of Shakespeare’s plays. Early colonialism. The Death of Elizabeth, coming of James.
What happened in the year they died (and the C02 ppm): xx
My awareness of/appreciation of this author (if any): zero.
What’s the essay?
The essay is called “A Fair and Happy Milkmaid.” It’s 1 page long. For me, the key take-aways were…
That Good People Are Good.
This is pure “madonna” side of the Madonna-Whore trap.
Best line(s)
“a fair look is but a dumb orator to commend virtue”
She doth not, with lying long a-bed, spoil both her complexion and conditions; Nature hath taught her too immoderate sleep is rust to the soul;
“She dares go alone and unfold sheep in the night, and fears no manner of ill because she means none; yet, to say truth, she is never alone, for she is still accompanied with old songs, honest thoughts, and prayers, but short ones; yet they have their efficacy, in that they are not palled with ensuing idle cogitations. Lastly, her dreams are so chaste that she dare tell them” (emphasis added)
Stuff I had to look up
Chirurgery 1. relating to, carrying out or expert in surgery. someone with recognised ‘chirurgical’ and medical skills. 2. relating to work carried out or done with the hands.
Stuff worth thinking about.
xx
Stuff to look up
xxx
Connects to (watch this space – if there are later essays that resonate with this one, I’ll come back and add a link to the post for that essay).
“Ensuing idle cogitations” – see also “Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look – he thinks too much, such men are dangerous.”
marchudson.net 
Leave a comment