Sunday, February 1, 2026

 

Today’s Totally Random Lines

 

No, precious creature;

I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,

Than you should such dishonor undergo,

While I sit lazy by.

 

Ferdinand

The Tempest                 Act III, Scene i, Line 26

 

This is Ferdinand’s reply to Miranda when the latter offers to do some of Ferdinand’s work. The young man is stacking piles of wood per Prospero’s orders, and Miranda thinks he’s working too hard.

So, it’s a pretty nice reply, isn’t it? If my wife offered to help me with some physical labor that I was doing, and I replied No, precious creature; I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, than you should such dishonor undergo, while I sit lazy by, I think she’d be pretty happy with that reply. Of course, I’ll never remember this; it’s way too long.

Anyway, it’s still a nice to have an easy and pleasant line to work with. And by the way, speaking of cracking sinews, have I shown you the bruise I've got from falling out of the hot tub?

 

Oh jeez; here we go!

  Today’s Totally Random Lines   No, precious creature; I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you should such dishonor u...