Thursday, August 12, 2010

Avernus

AVERNUS, n. The lake by which the ancients entered the infernal regions. The fact that access to the infernal regions. The fact that access to the infernal regions was obtained by a lake is believed by the learned Marcus Ansello Scrutator to have suggested the Christian rite of baptism by immersion. This, however, has been shown by Lactantius to be an error.
Facilis descensus Averni,
The poet remarks; and the sense
Of it is that when down-hill I turn I
Will get more punches than pence.
Jehal Dai Lupe
2010 Update: A lake in southern Italy by which the Italians entered Hell before there were roads to Rome.
O Avernus, thy mirrored waters shew mine face and God's sky,
I trust thou'lt carry both under whene'er I die.
-Narcissus Smytheberry

14 comments:

TLP said...

Avernus: where you can swim with the sharks. People pay to do that ya know.

(Nice job Smytheberry.)

the amoeba said...

Actually, I would argue that, for today's society, non facilis descensus Averni. See "nowhere to go but up." Or maybe out.

(I know, I know. I shouldn't read the news before the blogs.)

Nessa said...

That Narcissus Smytheberry is a hoot.

I guess this messes with the whole, "ashes to ashes, dust to dust," business.

Jim said...

Thanks, Doug, I read a lot of stuff here about Averni and Avernus. I didn't learn much though so I guess I avernuff.

Smytheberry does good doesn't he.
I am liking the way you find these obscure poets that even Google doesn't find except on your blog! :)
..

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quilly said...

Is Smytheberry any relation to Blackberry?

Nessa -- I think that ashes to ashes thing may still apply. When one mixes ashes and water one renders l_e. (Whether you spell it with y or i makes no nevermind in this instance.)

And this whole theme gives new meaning to the term "oh go soak your head".

Anonymous said...

I think I need to brush up on my Italinan :)

Anonymous said...

Italian even :)

k. riggs gardner said...

Quilly -- I just read your The Random Dozen Returns post. Here's my favorite from your dozen:

12. Please a share a favorite photo from the summer so far!
I first shared this pick almost as soon as it was taken. If you want an explanation for why it is one of my favorite pics of the Summer, go to the original post and read not just it, but the comments as well.


Whaddaya know!

It's a FLASHBACK FRIDAY on THURSDAY!

Doug The Una said...

TLP, by sharks you mean Italians?

Amoeba, or speak Latin afterwards.

Nessa, I think it makes soap.

Jim, I have an extensive liberry.

Anonymous, I can't tell if that's spam or Karen being more subtly wry than I can pick up. In either case, well done.

Right, Quilly. Nicely chemistried.

Haha, Thom. Don't be afraid of typos. We moch even as we appreciate.

Good point, Karen. About another blog, but still.

Nicole said...

With the polluted rivers these days and some countries not being sure no more, if the waters are clean enough to do the baptism thing, those are really roads to hell now, no?

Doug The Una said...

Well-dressed, though, I'm told TLP. You start by cutting off the pepperoni.

Sounds that way to me, Nicole. Bad font management.

cooper said...

I thought is was the hole the Cosa Nostra crawled out of, but I think you may be closer to the accepted truth.

k. riggs gardner said...

I thought it was FLASHBACK FRIDAY ON THURSDAY.