The one veritable transitory power
Because I cannot drink
There, where trees flower, and springs flow, for there is nothing again
Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place
And what is actual is actual only for one time
And only for one place
I rejoice that things are as they are and
I renounce the blessèd face
And renounce the voice
Because I cannot hope to turn again
Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something
Upon which to rejoice
And pray to God to have mercy upon us
And I pray that I may forget
These matters that with myself I too much discuss
Too much explain
Because I do not hope to turn again
Let these words answer
For what is done, not to be done again
May the judgement not be too heavy upon us
Because these wings are no longer wings to fly
But merely vans to beat the air
The air which is now thoroughly small and dry
Smaller and dryer than the will
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still.
Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death
Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
T. S. ELIOT
Ash-Wednesday, I.
CONTENTS
Cover (#u0d202d9d-d533-5605-8755-652b2570c794)
Title Page (#u14e0c2b9-456c-5673-af34-7b0b37eeeee9)
Copyright (#u809e6b39-a951-5ea0-a310-d01c18b2f454)
Praise (#ue40db73e-1ca9-536c-a18d-6976bcb0697a)
Epigraph (#u3e49bdfc-d94c-54ce-9770-3a561ad79daf)
Preface (#u75dc8bed-1387-54fc-86d9-e22f7d3ea956)
1 Ash Wednesday (#u5dc27be1-fed5-597d-9884-6e6a0a120a52)
2 The Devil of the Stairs (#u91666486-f524-50c0-8da2-ea3f76ea9f78)
3 I Renounce the Blessèd Face (#litres_trial_promo)
4 Consequently I Rejoice (#litres_trial_promo)
5 Desiring This Man’s Gift and That Man’s Scope (#litres_trial_promo)
6 The Usual Reign (#litres_trial_promo)
7 Infirm Glory (#litres_trial_promo)
8 To Turn Again (#litres_trial_promo)
Keep Reading (#litres_trial_promo)
P.S. Ideas, Interviews & Features … (#litres_trial_promo)
About the Author (#litres_trial_promo)
Interview With Karen Armstrong (#litres_trial_promo)
