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starring Dr. Hal !
THE SECOND ANNIVERSARIE OF THE SOULE'S PROGRESS,
February 17, 2023 10:00pm

 

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THE SECOND ANNIVERSARIE OF THE SOULE'S PROGRESS,
WHEREIN, by Occasion of the Religious Death of Mistress Elizabeth Drury, the Incommodities of the Soule in this her Life, and her Exaltation in the Next, are contemplated. This towering and lengthy Seventeenth Century work by Mr. John Donne, the Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and the Founder of the School of Metaphysical Poets, marks the start of our five hours. Again, speaking of Incommodities, we had, still, only minimal use of the damaged and broken CD player we need to present our usual performance. But mighty KrOB made a welcome and unexpected appearance, bringing not just himself but a bottle of Industrial Strength Peach Soda to refresh our flagging spirits. We hoisted it in enduring defiance of Scott Weiner's disapproval. From that point on it is our belief that the show really takes on new life. We were able to use all of the ability the equipment provided. The full (and lengthy) poem is alien to contemporary thought, being an artifact of the Age of Faith. As ever, we make a few inevitable errors, but the text is mostly clearly recapitulated with its meaning intact. With superb skill, Mr. Donne examines theological, philosophical and scientific thought of his day on the subject of Death and Transfiguration, and looks far beyond that in this marvelous work, which, it must be admitted, we knew would not be warmly received even by members of our small but devoted audience. First we bless our launch with a sonnet by our Muse, Clark Ashton Smith. After the poetry, the usual meandering pedantry carries us forward to KrOB's manifestation.


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