HERE COMES AN OLD SAILOR.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 13, 23 November 1928, Page 13

HERE COMES AN OLD SAILOR.

A. T.

Sheppard

PHIS is a strange book, in some ways a wonderful one. Written in mediaeval language, it tells of deeds of chivalry and derringdo in times when England was in a _ turbulent state of piracy and bloodshed; battle, murder and sudden death being the rule and not the exception. A young and solitary monk on his vigils rescues a gailor from the sea. Apparently dead, this wanderer on the waters is resuscitated by the gentle student; and afterwards in wind-swept solitudes, during long days and nighis, he tells strange tales to his rescuer and his brother monks, the characterisation of whom is quaintly and vividly achieved. The story told by this derelict of the waters is of his beloved master, Tom Mariner, and their adventures together on land and sea, ever with Death as neighbour and bed-fellow. A tale of rough times, the literary’ style is of Chaucerian quality and admirable throughout, at times rising to a rare beauty of religious fervour and vivid visualisation of a picturesque period of history. As an example of its beauty: «" .. Alas, if spells could hold them thus, so that they grew not old, and pass away like shadows of summer clouds on grass! .,.. Days of sea I love, be they rough or fair; the slap of the waves and crunch of shingle when a boat is launched. ... But we eannot hold old Time by the skirt. ... Hven the bright boys and girls must die... ." Women do not come much into this tale of rough bickerings, ancient manners and modes. ‘The lovely Peronelle, fickle, French and wanton, fits through the pages, is loved and married by Tom, more than twice her age; and when the bluff, loyal seaman finds her unfaithful, he leaves her to her new lover and sails the seas for the last time, meeting in heroic fashion the last and greatest adventure. | Not for the squeamish, but a narrative to appeal to those who appreciate a tale of mighty men and doings of an unbridled age.-R.U.R.