dhampyresa

I had to do the exact same bullshit to my computer to restore internet today that I had to do this time last week. This had better not have become a weekly occurrence, I have better shit to do with my time than spend 1h+ fixing this. And now I don't have time to do anything >:(

Here, have a poem. (I found it while I was looking for titles for the Stephanie Brown as Blue Lantern canon-divergent AU.)

The Old Astronomer to His Pupil (by Sarah Williams)

Reach me down my Tycho Brahe, I would know him when we meet,
When I share my later science, sitting humbly at his feet;
He may know the law of all things, yet be ignorant of how
We are working to completion, working on from then to now.

Pray remember that I leave you all my theory complete,
Lacking only certain data for your adding, as is meet,
And remember men will scorn it, 'tis original and true,
And the obloquy of newness may fall bitterly on you.

But, my pupil, as my pupil you have learned the worth of scorn,
You have laughed with me at pity, we have joyed to be forlorn,
What for us are all distractions of men's fellowship and smiles;
What for us the Goddess Pleasure with her meretricious smiles!

You may tell that German College that their honor comes too late,
But they must not waste repentance on the grizzly savant's fate.
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

I love this poem, especially the last two lines, so fucking much. I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. Look at that, that is perfect.

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yhlee

That's such a gorgeous poem and this is my first encounter with it. Thank you for posting it.

dhampyresa

You're very welcome! I find the last two lines a great comfort. (They're often misattibuted to Galileo or some other such person, DO NOT BE FOOLED.)

I hope your computer/internet woes get sorted...that stuff's never fun. :]

Indeed not and thanks.

monksandbones

Oh, I've never encountered that poem before, but it's wonderful, and especially poignant coming the week after I taught my students about the scientific revolution!

I LOVE IT SO MUCH! I'm super glad other people get to love it too.

:D :D :D

The last two lines are wonderful, but part I now really want embroidered or done in calligraphy or something and framed for my office is the first stanza. This is how I feel about doing history, except with the historical figures I study, rather than Brahe (and, you know, minus any belief that I will actually meet them one day, but that sort of makes it even more poignant to imagine it...).

A lot of it is so great! I quite like "the obloquy of newness may fall bitterly on you" too and omg yes do i get that first stanza!

You could find a fancy font ad print it on good quality paper too, if that's an option.