[William A. Baurle]

Michael - While I think Middlemarch (the last Eliot I read, maybe a year ago) was her greatest novel, Adam Bede is my favorite, if only because I sympathize so much with the Seth character, who got a very raw deal and suffered it in high style.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends. I'm a huge fan of Sir Philip Sidney. I picked up the Signet Classics Selected Poems when I was a sprout and loved it.

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Astrophel and Stella

LIV

Because I breathe not love to every one,
Nor do not use set colours for to wear,
Nor nourish special locks of vowèd hair,
Nor give each speech a full point of a groan,
The courtly nymphs, acquainted with the moan
Of them which in their lips Love's standard bear,
"What, he!" say they of me; "now I dare swear
He cannot love; no, no, let him alone."
And think so still, so Stella know my mind!
Profess, indeed, I do not Cupid's art;
But you, fair maids, at length this true shall find,
That his right badge is worn but in the heart.
Dumb swans, not chattering pies, do lovers prove;
They love indeed who quake to say they love.



Indeed.