Tuesday, September 28, 2010

things that cannot be lost

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"
(here begins the account of the wonders)
The moon affects the water as well as natural humours.  The wonderful natures of wells.  A fish with three gold teeth.  The island that was first unstable and was made stable by means of fire.  A whirlpool of the sea that swallows ships.  The Giants' Dance and the wonderful happenings of our own time; and first about a wolf that talked with a priest.  A woman with a beard and a mane on her back.  A lion that loved a woman.  Wolves that whelp in December.  About miracles; and first about the fruit and ravens and blackbirds of St. Kevin.  A book miraculously written.
& since I thought that a high-minded prince would place the value on things that easily come to be - and just as easily perish - I decided to send those things rather which cannot be lost.  By then I shall, through you, instruct posterity.  For no age can destroy them.

"

Gerald of Wales, 
"History & Topography of Ireland"
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