Indian Drums-A Musical Journey

There is no reveal of Tabla or Pakhwaj in primeval India. Inspite of this predominantly no discrepancy can be found out between Pakhwaj and Mridangam though many such differences can be found in Tabla. Beliefs and estimations vary about their existence in past and their time of arrival.

The seals of the Mohenjodaro Indus valley civilization contain depictions of men playing long cylindrical drums hung around their necks played horizontally. These drums are most similar to the kharrang of Assam and with the dhole of the Reddis of Andra Pradesh. Other drums inscribed on the seals include an hour glass shaped drum like the hudukka, castanets and cymbals. Some arched harps found in their hieroglyphics and unearthed clay whistles demonstrate they developed a tonal system, but no literature exists which we can translate in order to learn about that system.

The first credentials of music occur in the Vedic scriptures, of the Aryan culture. The most ancient Vedic literature describes drums covered with the skins of wild animals, large earthen drums, and the role of the drums in various rituals. The name of the drum mentioned in vedic literature was ‘dundhubi’.

Literature from the Nardiyasiksa and the Natyasastra that was written around 100 B.C.E. provides a great deal of knowledge regarding music. Naradiysiksa, describes vedic and ghandharva music. It states that semi-divine ghandharva music is composed of three elements: svara, tala, and pada. Narad describes the essentials of vocal and instrumental music. In the 31st and 32nd chapters, the Natyasastra gives descriptions of tala, the fundamental aspects of India rhythm. According to Bharata, tala was known as 'ghana' and time as 'kala'. Laya, called kalapata, subdivided into vilamvita (slow), madhya (medium), and druta (fast). Kala divided into three parts, citra (two matras), vartika (four mantras), and daksima (eight mantras). Bharata stated that tala, or time unit, was known as the measurement of kala, ('kala kala pramanena tala ityabhdhiyate' 31.7). Two kinds of talas existed, n'sabda (soundless or beatless), and sa'sabda (with sound or beat). The soundless tala again subdivided into 4 kinds: samya, tala, dhruva, and sannipata. Other terminology regarding rhythm included: yati (a method of applying a tempo of a tala -- of which they had several kinds: sama, srotogata, gopuccha, damaru, pipilika), prakarana (to make a song ready for singing), satala (with any rhythm), atala (without rhythm). With such terminology they clearly developed a complicated rhythmic system. This originated before the classical music age (600 to 500 B.C.E.), as ghandharva music became obsolete before the Bharata period. Ghandharva music provides the link between vedic music and post-vedic marga type of music (which evolved around 700 B.C.E., and provides insight to the classical period as well.

Mridangam was found to have existence from archaic times but it was found unfeasible to prove their existence in vedic ages and the puranas do not give any description of the shape of mridangam in particular. The “Natyasastra” epoch of Indiaprovides us some information regarding the silhouette of the instrument. At that time the ‘mridangam’ that was played placing in one’s lap was much like the present day’s ‘mridangam’ but it lacked the black portion in the middle known as ‘Gab’. Other features that we see in today’s ‘mridangam’ including its name were added to it during the time of Bharatmuni.Swati noticed the salient features of the instrument and named it ‘Tripushkar’ or ‘Pushkartray’. Muktesvara temple (6th-7th century) and Bhuranesvara (and three other cave temples) of Badari in Bombay (6th century) contain depictions of the Puskara. Musicians often placed the puskara's smaller verticle drum (called 'alinga'), on their lap and played more than one drum at a time. Given the the design, technology, and musical structure for drums common in this this period, we can piece together numerious features of the tabla. During the time of Shrangadeb the name ‘Mridangam’ again replaced the name ‘Pushkar’ and the name ‘Mardol’ accompanied it.The differences between ‘Mridangam’ and ‘Mardol’ was the former had 12 finger size of the two faces while the later had 13 and 14 finger size respectively. ‘Mardol’ was made of wood and had rings to adjust the scale and tune while ‘Mridangam’ was made of tight clay and mud. The similarity was the black middle portion ‘gab’ was densely made in both cases.

The name of ‘Mardol’ and ‘Mridangam’ was found to be associated in the music of different cults in India but none of the books clearly mentioned about them. Suddenly during the Muslim advent in Indiath page of this book he has written a four line sloka which indicated the use of Tabla and Pakhwaj in Northern and Western India during14th and 15th century. the name ‘Pakhwaj’ came into existence. In the book named “Sangeetoponishadsarodhar” written by Sudhakashal presented a detailed study upon opinion of youths free of western influence regarding Indian music. In the 87

It is guessed that in the 14th century, ‘pushkar’ and another instrument named ‘Abja’ was combined to create ‘Pakhwaj’.

Taking a look into the discovery of Tabla there are so many conclusions and varying opinions about it. The correct is still unheard of.

Some of the noted are:-
1>Some experts consider that Tabla originated from the Arabian instrument ‘Tabl’.The name has been supposed to come from the son of musician Jubal’s son Tubal.
2>One strong belief is In 1300 A.D. during the reign of Allauddin Khilji Parsi Poet Amir Khusrau discovered Tabla.
3>In paras another instrument name ‘Nakkara’ was prevalent .Therefore Tabla also might be a Parsi instrument.
4>Going into ancient times some people believe that Tabla has oriinated from the instrument “Audharka” which was much like Tabla in structure.
5>Sangeetacharya Gopeshwar Bandopadhyay believe that Amir Khusrau the second , the disciple of Sadaranga was the real founder of Tabla.This was during the period of Mughal Ruler 3rd Mohammad Shah.
6> Some people believe that famous Pakhwaj player of Delhi Ustad Sudhar separated pakhwaj to make tabla.

Sudhakushal said that Tabla is a Muslim instrument but there is no proof in history supporting his statement. There is no substantiation anywhere that Tabla was used in the 12thCentury before the coming of Anir Khusrau but again in some books of western writers it has been mentioned that instrument like Tabla was used from the 6th century. Another thing worth mentioning here is in Italy there was an instrument named ‘Tipani’.The photo of ‘Tipani’ which we can see in the 192ndpage of the book “Musical instruments through the ages” indicates clearly that the Arabian ‘Tabl’ was like the ‘Bayan’ of a tabla. Another instrument named ‘Tabar’ was found in Western lands that indicated the shape of the ‘Dahina’ of a Tabla. So the time period from when did this instrument come into play is still controversial but the reason of the discovery of Tabla was quite obvious. Musical instruments like ‘Mridangam’ or ‘Pakhwaj’ produced heavy and deep seated sounds and were suitable for songs like ‘Dhrupads’ but on the other hand as the light classicals like ‘Khayals’ and ‘Ghazals’ became popular there was a need for a much more lyrical and sharp sounding musical instrument that led to the discovery of Tabla.

by Sonnet Mondal.

Europa y Latino América: ¡¡¡DE JOVEN A JOVEN !!!

Deseo comunicarle al mundo entero con mucha alegría y beneplácito que cada vez que un joven escritor nos contacta me contagia con su energía e inspiración cuando leo sus textos y manuscritos.

Desde la Península Ibérica y su capital Madrid, nos ha contactado el talentoso y enérgico joven Yoandy Cabrera, el cual ha obtenido un Máster en Literatura en la capital del idioma español y a enviado a nuestras redacciones el principio de un libro que hemos enviado a uno de nuestros mentores y auguramos un éxito literario.

También me llena de mucha satisfacción que desde mis queridas tierras andinas y mas específicamente Perú, nos ha contactado el joven talento y promesa peruana, Franco Finocchiario, estudiante de la prestigiosa Universidad de Lima, estoy segura que tanto Bombadil Publishing y Franco trabajaran arduamente para obtener un magnifico resultado el cual se reflejará en un legado a las futuras generaciones en forma de un libro editado.
Pero también desde tierras “ticas” es decir el verde y democrático país de Costa Rica, hemos establecido contacto con el joven escritor y poeta Andrés Jiménez.

Y desde las cálidas y tropicales tierras salvadoreñas, nos han llegado dos libros de dos jóvenes talentos literarios a saber: Luis Guillermo Ibáñez con Pseudónimo Luis Gallamo de tan solo 15 años al cual le predecimos un brillante futuro por las cualidades literarias mostradas, por ser ganador de varios premios literarios, nos ha enviado su libro “El Gran Día de Al –Zaidi”.
Además el joven de 14 años Ricardo MancÍa de Pseudónimo Radandi, con su libro “Fabrica Literaria” nos ha impresionado por la calidad de su narrativa en la cual expresa el pensamiento de los jóvenes actuales y estoy segura que este libro es buen material para nuestras imprentas.
Con estos dos jóvenes, nuestro mentor Guillermo Galicia, ha dado una excelente muestra tanto de su trabajo personal como Mentor de Bombadil Publishing y del talento literario de la Juventud Salvadoreña.

Todo esto me llena de mucha inspiración y alegría que los jóvenes en el mundo demuestran la capacidad que tienen para mejorar globalmente y obtener un mundo mejor… Un Mundo Bombadil!!!
¡DE JOVEN A JOVEN!

Maggy Jacinto

Lucia!

On the 13th December every year Sweden turns into an ocean of lights for the celebration of Lucia. The traditional way of celebrating this annual event is to dress in a white dressing gown and carry burning candles while singing, often there is a choir performing or school classes and the celebration is mostly held in churchs.

Lucia originally comes from Saint Lucy, but is also known as Saint Lucia, (283 – 304) who was a Christian Martyr. Her name comes from lux, lucis "light", and she is the patron saint of those who are blind. Lucy, or Lucia consecrated her virginity to God, refused to marry, and had her dowry distributed to the poor. Her would-be husband denounced her as a Christian to the governor of Syracuse, Sicily. Miraculously unable to move her or burn her, the guards took out her eyes with a fork. In medieval accounts, Saint Lucy's eyes are gouged out prior to her execution. In art, her eyes sometimes appear on a plate that she is holding.

Sometimes the story behind this celebration is forgotten and vanish behind the happy celebrations, which is a shame since Saint Lucy was and is saint to keep in mind and look up to.

Over&Out

Sara

Bombadil Publishing are opening the Spanish literature ways in Latin America.

Bombadil Publishing has opened the Spanish literature ways in Latin America.
We, in Bombadil Publishing, see our work in Latin America to be growing and growing every day. The Spanish market began to grow in March 2009. Now Bombadil Publishing has its presence in almost all the Latin American countries.

From Canada to the Argentinean Patagonian we can see our wonderful development with young writers and today about 300 young writers are working very hard together with our mentors in Latin America. We are very happy to be a part of this young world who is wonderful, marvelous and in the best literary mood, there are young people meeting young people, young voices are being listened to by others youngsters as well. These young souls are writing in this very moment the books to the next generations, the books to the future, the books that will be the legacy to our children, and the children who will make a better world.

I want to congratulate all our mentors around the world; we have mentors in Swedish, English and Spanish. The YOUTH2YOUTH Messages of peace, love and hope are really true with those young writers as well as our mentors who will give the world this brilliant legacy of literature through Bombadil Publishing and I want to mention those mentors and dedicate a great regards to all of them who are working in Latin America:

Margarita Alfaro, Carlos Molina Velásquez, Miguel Pinto, Guillermo Antonio Galicia, Marco Antonio Lima, Ricardo Berdugo, Preyer Huamán Torres, John Lossio Hawkins, David Vera, Sandra Leiva y Maggy Jacinto.

To all them our gratitude, respect and admiration!
YOUTH2YOUTH
Melvin Gonzalez

Gira Bombadil en Latino América

Vemos con mucho agrado y satisfacción que nuestra actual gira en Latinoamérica esta sobrepasando las metas que nos habíamos propuesto, pues la aceptación que hemos obtenido en la parte oriental de El Salvador ha sido enormemente placentera.

Después de tres entrevistas televisivas y cuatro radiofónicas y una entrevista con la Casa de la Cultura, serán muchos los jóvenes que se acercaran a Bombadil Publishing y allí estaremos para darles las mejores atenciones en la cual desarrollaremos conjuntamente con estos jóvenes escritores; escribiendo acorde a nuestra filosofía e ideología, la comunicación de joven a joven, legado para futuras generaciones.

Maggy Jacinto and Melvin Gonzalez in El Salvadorian TV

Nosotras representantes de Bombadil Publishing Maggy Jacinto y Margarita Alfaro Bulle, estamos trabajando arduamente con nuestros mentores en Latino América para darles seguimiento a todos los jóvenes escritores que se están acercando a Bombadil Publishing tanto en El Salvador y toda Latino América y estamos seguras que pronto daremos a luz los resultados a través de los libros editados.

Pero lo que más nos ha sorprendido a sido el inicio literario de 23 jovencitos de la ciudad de Ahuachapán, la cual se ubica en la zona occidental de El Salvador, en edades comprendidas entre los 14 y 17 años, quienes conjuntamente con nuestros mentores Guillermo Antonio Galicia y Marco Antonio Lima, están desarrollando 23 distintos libros y como parte de nuestra ideología será un legado literario de joven a joven… y también de los adultos que así lo deseen, entre estos 23 temas podemos mencionar : leyendas, historias, cuentos cortos, ficción, en fin temas actuales que llevan mensajes de amor y esperanza para obtener un mundo mejor, un mundo Bombadil.
Desde aquí deseamos exhortar a todos los jóvenes con ambiciones literarias a acercarse a Bombadil y formar parte de nuestros sueños y hacer realidad un mundo diferente.

DE JOVEN A JOVEN

Written by: Maggy Jacinto

Bombadil Publishing se abre camino en grande en Latino América.

Con mucha alegría vemos en Bombadil Publishing que nuestro crecimiento en Latino América se ha dado de una forma asombrosamente explosiva, empezamos nuestras operaciones en Marzo de 2009 y podemos informar orgullosamente que hasta la fecha estamos presente en casi todos los países del continente, desde Canadá hasta la Patagonia en Argentina contamos con el desarrollo de casi cien escritores que en estos momentos han enviado sus manuscritos y alrededor de trescientos que nos han contactado y que se preparan para empezar para escribir un libro con nosotros. Pero nuestros mentores están trabajando arduamente conjuntamente con estos jóvenes escritores haciendo historia dentro de la literatura, desarrollando los libros que serán nuestro legado a futuras generaciones, proporcionando esos mensajes de amor, paz, esperanza y fe que de joven a joven transmiten nuestros libros en Bombadil Publishing.
Como Director Ejecutivo de La Sección en Español de Bombadil Publishing, me siento muy orgulloso de formar parte de este maravilloso grupo de trabajo que conformamos en Bombadil Publishing en español y deseo saludar con mucha alegría a todos esas magnificas personas que dan nombre y que dan vida a nuestra filosofía de ayudar de joven a joven en todo Latino América y España también, me refiero a Maggy Jacinto, Margarita Alfaro, Carlos Molina Velásquez, Miguel Pinto, Guillermo Antonio Galicia, Marco Antonio Lima, Ricardo Berdugo, Preyer Huamán Torres, John Lossio Hawkins, David Vera, Sandra Leiva y muchos otros, desde la Oficinas Internacionales de Bombadil Publishing enviamos este abrazo y este beso a todos ellos.
Pero también es digno de hacer mención de que Bombadil Publishing tiene muchos otros mentores en Sueco y en Ingles quienes atienden nuestros jóvenes escritores alrededor del mundo en muchos países en todos los continentes, inclusive la Antártida, estos mentores están ayudando al desarrollo de los legados literarios en los tres idiomas que editamos nuestros libros, es decir en Ingles, Sueco y Español, podemos afirmar orgullosamente que tenemos diez mil jóvenes escritores que de forma global están en contacto permanente con nosotros y pronto el mundo vera el resultado de esta maravillosa colaboración en el resultado de miles de libro editados por nuestra Editorial Bombadil Publishing.

DE JOVEN A JOVEN CON LA LITERATURA

Melvin González
Director Ejecutivo

The first Bombadil blog in Spanish!

Ahora por primera vez en Bombadil Publishing iniciamos nuestro blog en español y yo Maggy Jacinto, Asistente a la Dirección de la Sección en Español, tengo el honor de escribir nuestro primer artículo.

Como ciudadana de un país andino, específicamente Perú y escribiendo desde la República de El Salvador, siento el calor tropical de estos lares, pero siento también el calor humano de los habitantes salvadoreños que se vierte en el contorno sobre nuestra Editorial, la comunicación de Joven a Joven es muy visible en estas calurosas tierras Centroamericanas; pues Bombadil Publishing a recibido con mucho agrado una enorme aceptación de la juventud literaria salvadoreña.
Para hacer mención de lo anterior vemos con mucho beneplácito que se han unido a la revolución de la filosofía Bombadil una buena cantidad de jóvenes escritores salvadoreños, quienes conjuntamente con nuestros mentores esparcidos en toda Latino América están desarrollando muchos manuscritos que a su debido tiempo se convertirán en libros imprimidos en nuestra Editorial.
Estos nuevos bombadilios los podemos ubicar en las ciudades de Ahuachapán, Santa Tecla, San Salvador, San Miguel y en distintas ciudades del salvadoreño departamento de La Libertad.


Pero también es digno de hacer mención que la explosión en español de Bombadil ha alcanzado casi todo el continente americano: Canadá, EEUU, México, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Perú, Chile y Argentina.
Al mismo tiempo de manifestar nuestra alegría de dar inicio a este blog en español, informamos que una considerable cantidad de libros en español están siendo elaborados y revisados por nuestros mentores y la revolución Bombadil hace posible el sueño de muchos jóvenes latinoamericanos, jóvenes escritores que nunca pensaron que podrían hacer realidad ese sueño.
Desde este blog, envío mis manifestaciones de exhortación a todos nuestros jóvenes bombadilios a continuar con esa loable tarea de comunicarse de joven a joven.

ADELANTE BOMBADILIOS HISPANOS PARLANTES, HAZTE ESCUCHAR A TRAVÉS DE LA LITERATURA.
DE JOVEN A JOVEN.
Maggy Jacinto.

Learning new things

A couple of weeks ago I decided to make a drastic change in my life, I decided to change my everyday life and even my future if you will.

I decided to learn to play the guitar.

This might sound a bit courageous to say that learning how to play the guitar will change my life and future, I am not aiming to become a rock star or anything like that, BUT I do believe that playing the guitar will change my life anyway. I will meet new people through wanting to learn more, I will be able to express myself in a new way and I will foremost gain new knowledge.

My first guitar lesson might not have gone surprisingly well, I am, not a talent, let´s put it that way, but I did have a lot of fun and quite sore fingers to be frank. My biggest concern after just one lesson was “How can it be so hard?!” I have quite a few friends who play either the guitar or some other instrument and they always seems so relaxed and comfortable whilst playing and all the sudden it was really difficult when I was supposed to do it! I guess it does take some practice… This will take time, time that I am more than happy to spend to enrich my life in the future.

Philoshophical Sara says Over&Out

Nostalgia

Writing can be many things; nostalgia, therapy, expression of crazy thoughts of happiness or frustration. To me writing is all of those things.

Have you ever gone through old note books? Old texts written long ago? I did the other day, and I was overwhelmed by how those words written long ago brought all those feelings back again... The mind is funny in that way, how feelings can be brought back into daylight just by reading a couple of old poems, written not to be read but just for being written. It´s dangerous, because it get at least my head spinning in high speed, wondering “could I have acted differently?” “Could I have made a better choice”. And in the same time I absolutely love the fact that I have note books and note books laying around to remind me of periods of my life which are now lost, maybe not always lost, but buried if you will. The album "Tigermilk" by Belle&Sebastain makes me nostalgic.

Today´s blog is a tribute to old times and to nostalgia, many people fear to touch nostalgia because many times it hurts to bring back old memories to life. In my opinion it´s a wonderful thing to be nostalgic (once in a while, not always) because it reminds me of whom I am and who I have been. And thanks to writing those feelings down in the past I can now remember why I made certain choices and why I didn´t make others and I realize that I have always made the right choices. It´s easy to remember things in a different light than i actually was; better or worse. Therefore I am happy that I have written these feelings down because in that way I can skip the hurtful thoughts of “what if”, based on my old poems and texts I remember how things really were.

So today I want to pay attention and tribute writing as a reminder; write for the sake of get a chip of your shoulder but also to be able to one day look back and remember, do not put a gloomy face on and feel bad about old and lost relationships or situations. Be glad about the fact that you have done it. Never regret, learn from your mistakes and greet the times you have done wrong because you have gained a new experience! And don´t forget to keep writing about it. This is most likely the only way to keep an accurate memory.

Sara says Over&Out.

Welcome to our new Spanish mentor Carlos Molina Velasquez

We are very proud to presented to the world our new mentor Dr. Carlos Molina VelasWe are very proud to presented to the world our new mentor Dr. Carlos Molina Velasquez who is working in El Salvador as a mentor. Carlos has a University degree in Philosophy and great experience working together with young writers. He was honoured by obtaining a dedication of the young writer Mario Chavez Jovel in his last book “31 Cuentos Cortos” that we successfully launched a few weeks ago in El Salvador. Carlos is a very dedicated university teacher in “Universidad Catolica Jose Simeon Cañas” in San Salvador. He is happy to work with several young writers, young writers whom are writing Bombadilian books, books with feelings, book that envision our philosophy, which moves forward a new generation of young writer all over the world.
Bombadil Publishing also wants to acknowledge the next Spanish book “Inocencia Marchita” by the young talented writer Lady Jerez from Venezuela, who together with our mentor Maggy Jacinto has worked very hard the past few months. The book is due to be launched late November or early December. Our very dear author, Lady Jerez, radiated so much energy and happiness when she contact us, and she writes with such energy, positivism and optimism that you can’t avoid getting affected by Lady’s karma, a good karma, a fine spirit, which represents exactly the Bombadil Publishing feelings, the feeling of a better world which we together with the authors, the readers, and the mentors create all around the world.
Greeting from Sweden
YOUTH2YOUTH

Bombadil Publishing’s Journey to El Salvador

When the Bombadil Publishing’s delegation arrived to El Salvador we immediately felt the warmth of the country, which I’d left 20 long years ago; the air was very hot and I wondered how could I could have lived in such a hot place.

But immediately the Bombadil Publishing’s delegation felt another kind of warmth in El Salvador, - the people’s warmth. We had a great reception by our “Ad Honorem” collaborator and mentor, Margarita Alfaro, and a big line of people who welcomed us to this warm country as a delegation which will help the young writers in this tropical country.

Margarita had prepared a very “hot” agenda for us; we met different newspapers (both digital and analogues), radio interviewers and TV teams. I could that Marianne and Niklas were affected by the heat in El Salvador; I myself got very sick. Our Agenda, however, was very intensive and amusing. The launch of our very first Spanish book in El Salvador, “31 Cuentos Cortos” by Mario Chavez Jovel, was successful, the media coverage was splendous: TV, Newspapers and radio were all there. They wanted to now about the wonderful news Bombadil Publishing is creating around the world, the amazing news about how young people now have the opportunity to be read, the opportunity to write about themselves, the opportunity to be listened to, the opportunity for young people who want to transmit their ideas to other young people… and adults too of course.

We want to send our thanks to all the people whom worked together with us on this marvelous journey to Latin America, specially to Margarita Alfaro in El Salvador, and to our mentor in Peru, Maggy Jacinto. They really are Bombadilians who spread the Bombadil Publishing feeling to young people from the entire world.



YOUTH2YOUTH.

Melvin González

A trip to Latin America

Hi all Bombadilians!

After a five weeks journey in South and Central America I am back again to our beloved blog, and I’ll writing about several wonderful things I experienced during our journey. In the nice company of our charming MD Marianne Rugård Järvstråt, the intelligent and smart Vice-President Niklas Järvstråt and myself, Melvin Gonzalez; we travelled to Peru and then to my old country, El Salvador. Well there in Peru joined to us our mentor Maggy Jacinto and we begun our wonderful work in Lima. Later in El Salvador our other lovely mentor Margarita Alfaro joined us. I’ll write about that next week. We met so many people who are working in literature, culture and art in Peru, also many young writers and adults too.




It was amazing and great when we launched our very first book in Spanish in the “Centro Cultural de España” in Lima, Peru’s capital: “La Dama de Negro y otros Cuentos”. The young writer Rogger Avendaño was present and told about his book. The Cultural Center of Spain in Lima was full of people who wanted to know about us, about our great philosophy, about the good news Bombadil Publishing was carrying into the “New” continent, America, and they were very happy to hear our great news about Bombadil Publishing’s work around the world. In fact we have in our Company now many young writers whom are writing in Spanish a young book, a book for the future, a book which will be a legacy to our young people in a near future, a Bombadil’s book, a dream book. Come young to us young people from all the world and join to The Editorial of the Young People, come together to Boambadil Publishing!

YOUTH2YOUTH.
Melvin González

This is last Friday's blog entry; it's rather late as I have been short of words lately. Instead of rambling at length about kayaks and moon bases and other trivial subjects, I give you some words by the masterful John Keats, who succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of twenty-five and whose epitaph reads "Here lies One Whose Name was writ in Water."

On leaving some Friends at an Early Hour

Give me a golden pen, and let me lean
On heap’d up flowers, in regions clear, and far;
Bring me a tablet whiter than a star,
Or hand of hymning angel, when ’tis seen
The silver strings of heavenly harp atween:
And let there glide by many a pearly car,
Pink robes, and wavy hair, and diamond jar,
And half discovered wings, and glances keen.
The while let music wander round my ears,
And as it reaches each delicious ending,
Let me write down a line of glorious tone,
And full of many wonders of the spheres:
For what a height my spirit is contending!
’Tis not content so soon to be alone.

John Keats (1795 - 1821)