In defense of the split infinitive...

{This post is a 'reply' to NK's comment on an earlier post of mine. You can find the original post and that comment here.}

Strictly speaking, the debate about the validity of split infinitives still rages on and using them is more a matter of personal preference than a grammatical no can do.

For my part, as far as solecisms go, I love an occasional split infinitive. Moreover, as Wikipedia sagely reminded me, one of the most famous split infinitives occurs in the opening sequence of the Star Trek television series: to boldly go where no man has gone before! And I say if it works for Captain Kirk, it works for me! :-)

Actually, Wikipedia has a very fair and balanced discussion on the subject. I think this line sums it up best: "Most experts on language now agree that the split infinitive is sometimes appropriate. Those who use it consciously may see it as a form of hyperbaton, and some major poets have employed this to good effect." There! I seem to have won half the battle. Now if only I can finish that epic poem I started... ;-)

Speaking of poets and split infinitives, I would be remiss if I didn't include the Bard's Sonnet 142 here:

Love is my sin, and thy dear virtue hate,
Hate of my sin, grounded on sinful loving:
O! but with mine compare thou thine own state,
And thou shalt find it merits not reproving;
Or, if it do, not from those lips of thine,
That have profan'd their scarlet ornaments
And seal'd false bonds of love as oft as mine,
Robb'd others' beds' revenues of their rents.
Be it lawful I love thee, as thou lov'st those
Whom thine eyes woo as mine importune thee:
Root pity in thy heart, that, when it grows,
Thy pity may deserve to pitied be.
If thou dost seek to have what thou dost hide,
By self-example mayst thou be denied!

I do not love thee with mine eyes...

{Thanks to the good folks at The Daily Puppy}

Here's the next edition of "some cute puppies for you"! :)

These pics reminded me of the first few lines of Shakespeare's Sonnet 141... The canine countenance just seem to have that weird effect on me - It's this totally innocent, trusting gaze... It seems to pierce right through the outer facade, and peek into the deepest recesses of my heart. Frankly, it confounds me a little - I can't help but wonder how, despite all the crap these creatures see us do, they still manage to find something in us that they can love and be faithful to. Herein might lie one explanation:

In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes,
For they in thee a thousand errors note;
But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise,
Who in despite of view is pleased to dote.

--

She walks in beauty... or does she?!

{This post is a 'reply' to one of Athena's posts on Lord Byron's famous poem - you can navigate to that original post by clicking here.}

Aaaahhh Lord Byron! And such a sweet, dulcet poem! While others might believe he wrote such beautiful words out of love, I have a slightly different interpretation... hehe. I think that the good Lord was too much of a gentleman to call a spade a spade - Luckily 'reticence' is not a problem that ever plagued Shakespeare!

Here I offer what, IMHO, Lord Byron actually might have liked to say:

The wiles and guiles that women work,
Dissembled with an outward show,
The tricks and toys that in them lurk,
The cock that treads them shall not know.
Have you not heard it said full oft,
A woman's nay doth stand for nought?

Think women still to strive with men,
To sin and never for to saint:
There is no heaven, by holy then,
When time with age doth them attaint.
Were kisses all the joys in bed,
One woman would another wed.

Hehehe! Aaahhh women - they will be the death of us all! :)