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[personal profile] lproven
Back from Download, which rocked mightily. Even poorer as a consequence -- and I haven't paid for the ticket yet. Also caught a cold at it, which seems most unfair in June. As a result, am at home, sniffling miserably. Trying to teach myself to type Dvorak to distract myself, as a result of this webcomic, which I heartily recommend. This seems reasonably mentally undemanding -- except, perhaps, on my motor cortex, which is labouring and protesting. However, in the short term, I now am slightly cross-eyed, have a headache -- and you would not BELIEVE how long this is taking to type! I'm even slower than on the smartphone! Been meaning to do this for literally years, though, and if I can scale the formidable learning curve, I *will* benefit, every single day, as a result.

So, for your delectation and delight, here's a bit of my typing practice... It's from the same book as this was, and according to Google, my humble LJ is the only place on the Web where this deathless and indeed peerless verse can be found.




_Reward of Virtue_

Sir Gilbert de Vere was a virtuous knight
He succoured the weak and he fought for the right
But he cherished a goal that he never could sight:
He wanted a dragon to fight.

He prayed all the night and he prayed all the day
That God would provide him a dragon to slay
And God heard his prayer and considered a way
To furnish Sir Gilbert his prey.

And so, to comply with Sir Gilbert's demand
(But having no genuine dragons to hand)
God whisked him away to an earlier land
With destrier, and armour, and brand.

And in the Cretaceous, Sir Gilbert de Vere
Discovered a fifty-foot carnosaur near.
He dug in his spurs, he levelled his spear
And charged without flicker of fear.

The point struck a rib! The lance broke in twain!
The knight clapped a hand to his hilt, but in vain --
The dinosaur swallowed that valorous thane
And gallant Sir Gilbert was slain.

The iron apparel he wore for his ride
However, was rough on the reptile's inside
That dinosaur presently lay down and died
And honour was thus satisfied.

But Gilbert no longer was present to care
So pester not God with your wishes. Beware!
What happens when Heaven has answered your prayer
Is your, and no others',
Affair.

- L Sprague de Camp
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Liam Proven

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