Went to the local library, it was closed, and then in abject despair I trod wearily back home. Hoping that the food parcels turn up soon. Otherwise it’s just a catastrophe. Where to from here?
Mannequin delivery to all Myer stores have been cancelled.
On a happier note, there’s an incredible demand for Camus, ‘le pest’, (sponsored by Mortein) and searching for a suitable epithet, I chanced upon this over- long piece by William Austin, ” The anatomy of the pestilence”. Austen’s work manages to do to the Great Plague of 1666 what six years of Conservative government has done to the arts scene, rendered it stone cold dead. So in a fit of pique we’ve just grabbed two fragments. It goes for pages and pages, and if you can bothered, we translated it from the restoration English, into a pithy one liner, ” Plagues are shit, and they can kill you either with plague or boredom’.
So please enjoy this piece, keep the chalk handy for the cross you may scrawl upon your door to indicate that you have been infected, and go in and enjoy a miserable weekend. For that is what the government would want you to do. And remember it could be worse. Cos footy is off the Fox network is suffering a huge hit, Time they too were offered a bailout package. And Crown deserves one too.
The anatomy of the pestilence by William Ausin 1666.
Next week we may try Drydens Annus Mirabillis.
She made it vegetive, and did it tie
With the frank almoine of her Charity.
She, she it was, that e’re it budded forth,
The sale of barbecues have been restricted in the interests of PUBLIC SAFETY
Did to our use pastilicate its worth.
On humane art why should we fondly rest,
That is but stoln or borrowed at the best?
When we may have what’s real beauty, seem
Content with the prestiges of a dream?
We ca’nt, when Nature does our Life disband,
Commit it to more safe and tender hand.
Rapine and Insolence, such as ingage
To propagate ochlocrasie of Rage;
All macellarious complices and fiends,
Plot to abet and act pale Horrours ends,
Before her sink, while they themselves con∣found,
As giddy Eddy in its circles drown’d.
And more indulgent touch then hers can ne’re
Come from the close embrace of gentle air,
When smiling she a sunny mantle throws
About the blooming infant of the Rose.
Trading at the The Food Court of Chaddy has been cancelled for the duration.
More grateful and obliging courtesie
Ne’re ray’d from Goddess of the Morn, when she
For her belov’d weary Endymions head,
In blushing satten makes his spicy bed.
Ne’re from serene Lucina came, who ties
Her vigils vestment round with starry eyes,
When the tir’d Howers of the day doe creep,
Into her open douney breast to sleep.
O do’nt despise a Beauty, whose despight
Does all our wishes, hopes, designs benight.
Whose Injury and Indignation are
The rigid pregnant parents to despair.
Whose frown indusiated with threats, may stand
For gift from Circes or Roxana‘s hand.
And whose all-bounteous •avour, when ’tis gone,
Leaves us despons’t to Gods of wood and stone.
O doe not slight a Beauty so supream,
Brightens Heaven with her Iuno’s diadem.
Who, where she lists, the Civick crown confers,
Frustrates and makes irrite dire climacters,
And in whose smiles patulicates all this
And life hereafter can embrace of bliss
Slight not, O slight not her, with charms who sings
Plague dead, & covers you with Cupids wings.
Paul plants, Apollo waters: when all’s done,
She’s wanted irradiation of the Sun.
Menswear is limited to ” by appointment only” sales to ” approved customers”.
When Doctors have exantlated t•eir skill,
Her Raphaels sacred Physick cure• our ill.
That Plague surprize us not with fear or dread,
Sanctuary stands upon Religions head.
We see, through Art, where e’re we cast our eye,
All Nature circuncluded with the Sky.
FINIS.