| || couch, singe, aviary, outlaw, it was a cinch.
Image from the Internet.
The opening poem contains all the words (or variations of them) from today's Jumble.
Comments are welcomed!
Do not explicitly reveal any of the actual answer words until after closing time, but embedding them surreptitiously in comment sentences is encouraged.
Probably no poem from me today, as I am far too focused on the election returns. If only we can say today's solution all together at the end of this crisis!
ReplyDeleteI am shocked, stunned, amazed that the tallies are so frightfully close. I trust we'll see a changing of the guard. But I don't envy our new leader in the great tasks he must face, especially with maybe a hand--the Senate--tied behind his back.
~ OMK
I feel exactly like you do, Ol'Man Keith, but used this as a distraction.
ReplyDelete"Lucky Gary"
Gary was such a grouch,
grumbling all day on his couch.
On booze he did binge
and his curses did singe
his family's bravery
in their miserable aviary.
He should have been an outlaw
and gotten a punch in his lout jaw.
Instead, it was a cinch
that they let him off with a pinch.
The politics of the Middle Ages
ReplyDeleteThursday, 11/5
opera, knack, crunch, dilute, keep on truckin'.
In the midst of the Master's tirade on licentious indulgence
Came a messenger: "A Jew, Isaac of York, begs entrance"
[Quoth Beaumanoir]
"Come Isaac, sit by the couch", for he had a knack
For diluting his bigoted rage and throwing a veil of hypocrisy,
Which contrasted to his stern, ascetic fanaticism, was ludicrously
Apparent. But it was a cinch that Lucas Beaumanoir, for a fact
Would in the crunch,keep on truckin' with no respite,
For the scent of wicked sorcery had him chomping at the bit
Thus Isaac handed the letter to Sir Brian, sent by Prior Aymer
"Aymer", cried the Master, "That devotee of the hunt and aviary
Why isn't he concerned with his own house and praying his breviary
Read the missive Mont-Fichet, what sayeth the Cistercian defamer?
"I am held captive by a band of apostate outlaws
Isaac will pay gold for release which advances our cause.
But beware, the Grand Master has recently come ashore
With his ascetic opera and mad discipline which we all deplore"
WC
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ReplyDeleteThanks for carrying the ball, Misty.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Gary is some kind of bird, no? Living with his family in their private "aviary." Might make him a distant relative of my wife, whose maiden name was Byrd.
I wish we could keep the election results quiet until each vote is finalized, state by state. Releasing info in dribs and drabs only leads factions through painful suspense and into tortured fantasies.
But I guess the laws require such "transparency."
Secrecy has its own danger; I suppose it would only feed suspicion.
~ OMK
Enjoyed your episode of the story, Wilbur. Locksley is getting involved, yay.
ReplyDeleteThe suspense is debilitating, and I am dreading the damage that you know who will do in the next two plus months out of spite.
Sandy, I hope to wrap up Ivanhoe in six weeks. Lots of suspense: Will King Richard survive Prince John's assassination attempt?; Will Rebecca burn at the stake? Or will a champion be found; What's going on at Coningsburgh? Is Athelstane really dead?, Friar Tuck demurs.
ReplyDeleteOh, unless you're talking about the CURRENT political situation.
WC
I wasn't very clear, was I, Wilbur?
ReplyDeleteFind Ivanhoe interesting, not debilitating!!
Current situation debilitating, not interesting.
Truly the several arcs of Ivanhoe allow for analogies with the politics of other times & places. I certainly see how Sandy & Wilbur may need to clarify just which intrigue--real life or fiction--is being referenced.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I find other analogs for the character and plot line of 45's holiday in D.C. For a true character study, I recommend Alfred Jarry's Ubu Roi.
(I'm surprised none of my colleagues has produced a recent revival of the play; it is SO on target.)
For a plot line (and strong character study), I offer Herman Wouk's The Caine Mutiny. Mr. T's recent meltdown evokes Capt. Queeg testimony, and the Dems (assuming they do win) are like the crew of that sad vessel.
Who was it who said, "Art is a lie that tells the truth"?
~ OMK
Sandy, pardonez moi. I have a penchant for the bon MOT. But yes it will take a while to unravel the twisting plot arcs in Ivanhoe. J's notwithstanding.
ReplyDeleteThis has been quite a week. DJT has reversed four years of demigodism to a refrain from Charlie Brown's "Why's everybody always pickn' on me?"
WC
And, thank you Sandy for your encouragement and support. Fitting those 8 words(Aviary?) into a narrative
And Misty and OMK likewise.
WC
Thank you for the kind comment, Ol' Man Keith, and for the fun Byrd reference.
ReplyDeleteThe election is just driving us all totally crazy and it will be a difficult year ahead, on top of everything else with our rough Covid situation. We just have to be strong, I guess.
Wilbur, delightful to see your complicated poem--keep up the good work.
Have a good evening, everybody.
One thing I should mention about Locksley, who indeed is Robin Hood as well as the curtal Friar is Tuck.
ReplyDeleteRobin has a horn which he gives to the Knight incognito and the notes to play which will summon the nearest yeomen of the forest to your aid.
Robin also is the one who devised the strategy of having Aymer pen a letter to Sir Brian to be taken by Isaac to the Templar Preceptory with the intent of delivering it to Sir Brian.
As you saw this morning the letter was intercepted. Backfired. Beaumanoir is now aware that a Jewish "wench" is inside his stronghold.
WC
Ut. Oh.
ReplyDeleteI'm staying tuned.
~ OMK