From the wreck of my past, which hath perish'd,    Thus much I at least may recall, It hath taught me that which I most cherish'd    Deserved to be dearest of all: In the desert a fountain is springing,    In the wide waste there still is a tree, And a bird in the solitude singing,    Which speaks to my spirit of thee.

Lord Byron

A picture is most eloquent.

The threshold of knowledge.

The parabolic return. A scientist from Australia on his last legs.

Cleopatra and the clepsydra.

Shadow and substance.

""Were I a nightingale, I would act like one."" (Epictetus)

Meantime we shall express our darker purpose. Give me the map there. Know that we have divided In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent To shake all cares and business from our age; Conferring them on younger strengths, while we Unburthen'd crawl toward death.

King Lear

The unmoved mover.