The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

1519

From the 15th century Bedford Hours. Via Wikimedia Commons.

David and Bathsheba Clay Lane

David’s scheme to steal another man’s wife succeeded, but he could not keep his secret from everyone.

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1520

© Graham Horn, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

Rule, Britannia! Clay Lane

‘Rule Britannia’ was a discreet way of telling a German prince what was expected of a British King.

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1521

Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

The Rewards of ‘Patience’ Clay Lane

How appropriate that the comic opera ‘Patience’ should introduce the world to the results of thirty years of labour.

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1522

Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Jason and the Golden Fleece Clay Lane

A political rival sends Jason on a hopeless errand, to fetch the golden fleece.

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1523

© Costas78, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Phrixus and the Golden Fleece Clay Lane

Long before Jason came to claim it, the golden fleece had already saved a boy’s life.

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1524

From Wikimedia Commons. Public domain image.

Perseus and the Gorgon Clay Lane

When Polydectes, King of Seriphos, sent Perseus to get the Gorgon’s head, he hoped the boy would never come back.

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