APAD: This precious stone set in the silver sea

Background:

   In John of Gaunt's dying speech in Shakespeare's Richard II he appears to

   rhapsodise over the many qualities of England - `this other Eden'. `this

   earth of majesty', `this precious stone' and so on. While this may be taken

   at face value, more is being conveyed than simple praise for the country's

   virtues.

 

   Gaunt is alluding to the destruction of the old ways brought about by the

   Plantagenet wars. His description of `this sceptered isle' is not only

   imagery of England as a jewel set in the sea. England's kings wear sceptres

   and the land and its people are `sceptered', that is, subject to the throne.

   Also, the reference to the country as `this seat of Mars [the god of war] and

   `this fortress' suggest that the throne is a military prize, rules by the

   strongest, not necessarily the best.

 

   From Shakespeare's Richard II, 1593.

 

       This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,

       This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

       This other Eden, demi-paradise,

       This fortress built by Nature for herself

       Against infection and the hand of war,

       This happy breed of men, this little world,

       This precious stone set in the silver sea,

       Which serves it in the office of a wall,

       Or as a moat defensive to a house,

       Against the envy of less happier lands,

       This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,

 

- www.phrases.org.uk [edited]

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The verses often remind me of the idea I held when I was young, that other

peoples didn't love their own countries as much as we Chinese love our great

motherland. I remember at a patriotic moment, possibly after a flag-raising

ceremony, telling a group of highschool classmates what I thought and not

everyone roared in agreement. Wet behind the ears, I was such a nerd. So simple

and sometimes naive :-)

J. of Gaunt was in mouring (4 England & himslef), but being

an island does help ;-). Remember the Brexit drama? ;-)

We all love our 1st home&people, b it in salad days or now!!

Although to think they don't is total delusion.

我在几坛说过：“我爱我有几千年历史第一故乡，爱那里的山，爱那里的水，爱那里的人，虽然都被污染了，但还是我的故乡”

• 我爱我有几千年历史第一故乡，爱那里的山，爱那里的水，爱那里的人，虽然都被污染了，但还是我的故乡。 -最西边的岛上-    (0 bytes) (6 reads) 01/11/2025 postreply 09:52:02

• 樊迟问仁。子曰：“爱人。” 问知。子曰：“知人。” 樊迟未达。子曰：“举直错诸枉，能使枉者直。” —— 论语 -最西边的岛上-    (341 bytes) (25 reads) 01/11/2025 postreply 09:52:47

• 我觉得也可以反过来讲：举枉错诸直，能使直者枉！上次我在投坛贴这句话时，波大跟帖：能使直者狂。我觉得在那个政权下 -最西边的岛上-    (0 bytes) (9 reads) 01/11/2025 postreply 09:55:27

• 老百姓被“枉”或成“狂”都在发生。但问题的根子是在上面的。 -最西边的岛上-    (0 bytes) (4 reads) 01/11/2025 postreply 09:57:25

• 孔子说民可使由之不可使知之 -波粒子3-   (0 bytes) (3 reads) 01/11/2025 postreply 10:10:34

• 哈哈，孔夫子的这句可能是被冤枉/误解了。见下： -最西边的岛上-    (108 bytes) (41 reads) 01/11/2025 postreply 10:24:51

• 这是硬拗，孔子有阶级思想，在孔子眼里仕大夫当然比庶民聪明多了 -波粒子3-   (0 bytes) (6 reads) 01/11/2025 postreply 11:40:25

• 可能吧。我下面的话不是针对您哈：我相信对人诚实对事儿认真。请看我在网友指出我一次英中翻译理解错误时是怎样公开认错并改正的 -最西边的岛上-    (2797 bytes) (31 reads) 01/11/2025 postreply 15:11:03

Yes. Ditch them less happier lands :-)

So U r right, we all did and still do!

Koreans may be more patriotic:) 英国像银色海面上的一颗明珠， very poetic:)

4Sure, theBard's the greatest E poet theWorld has everKnown!

I'm always confused of nationalism/patriotism,r they same

Not sure about 'more' but the way they live on kimchi... I'd

BTW,' more is being conveyed..‘ is it about patriotism?

"While this may be taken

   at face value, more is being conveyed than simple praise for the country's

   virtues."

 

Does this imply patriotism? 

bet 2 to 1 :-)

Nat'sm feeds on pat'sm and promises happiness, I think.

Or more about nostalgia? "the destruction of the old ways...

Hahaha, I think Nat'sm 4 nation; Pat'sm 4 country, and

I'm happy as a clam either or both ways :-)))

seemed nation/country exchangeable in some cases

also makes sense,

Patriotism seems more positive than nationalism, especially

extreme nationalism is totally negative, I have heard of someting called extreme patriotism
 

Hmm. P's a feeling/emotion, N's more of a story/propaganda.

皇冠上的宝石～

The Moonstone, a mystery ahead of all mysteries.

U both know more than me!!!(I wrote above in 几坛 w/ tears，实话)

+ APAD: my country, right or wrong ;-))