Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
By William M. Vander Weyde (1871–1929), via George Eastman House Collection and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: No known copyright restrictions.
As proof that ‘Providence protects children and idiots’, Mark Twain recalls his first taste of ten-pin bowling.
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© Nowaqowski, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 4.0.
Sam felt that his epic romance might have started more promisingly.
© Trevor Littlewood, Geograph. Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0.
Anglo-Saxon poet Cynewulf imagines the farewell between Jesus and his Apostles, forty days after his resurrection.
© The Prime Minister’s Office (Crown Copyright), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
Lady Glencora scolds the Earl of Brentford for political inactivity, but he warns her to be careful what she wishes for.
© Portable Antiquities Scheme, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
A Roman commander facing court martial took refuge in politics, and for ten years London was an imperial capital.
Walters Museum, via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
A princess covets the belt of a warrior-queen, so Heracles is despatched to get it for her.