Author: baronvoncrow

PÂTRE, HALTE II TES BREBIS ET TES CHÈVRES, TOI, AMANT DES BEAUTÉS DE LA NATURE, EN PASSANT ICI, ÉTANCHE TES LÈVRES AUX SOURCES JAILISSANTES FRAÎCHESÉT PURES, MORTEL,TU MES QU’EXILÉ SUR LA TERRE:
ARRÊTE UN BREF INSTANT ICI TES PAS•
ABREUVE TON ÂME DANS LA PRIÈRE;
PENSE A LA VALEUR DES JOURS D’ICI BAS..!

Shepherd, halt your sheep and goats, you, lover of nature’s beauties, as you pass here, quench your thirst at the fresh and pure springs; mortal, you but an exile on earth:
pause your steps here for a brief moment;
quench your soul in prayer;
reflect on the value of these earthly days! [painted on the wall of the church of Our Lady of the Snows at Chenal]

When my legs hurt, I say: ‘Shut up legs! Do what I tell you to do!’

Jens Voigt, German cyclist

Mountains rise on every side […] villages […] higher up […] nestle in the shade of walnut trees.

Boyd Winchester, 1891

Arrived at a lake in the very nipple of the bosom of the Mountain. […] – came to some snow in patches – upon which my forehead’s perspiration fell like rain making the same dints as in a sieve
– the chill of the wind & the snow turned me giddy – but I scrambled on & upwards […] The whole of the Mountain superb.

Byron’s Alpine Journey, September 18th-29th, 1816

I remember at Chamouni – in the very eyes of Mont Blanc – hearing another woman – English also – exclaim to her party – ‘did you ever see any thing more rural’ – as if it was Highgate or
Hampstead – or Brompton – or Hayes. – ‘Rural’ quotha! – Rocks – pines – torrents – Glaciers – Clouds – and Summits of eternal snow far above them – and ‘Rural!’

Byron’s Alpine Journey, September 18th-29th, 1816

Crossed the mountains […] and by dint of scrambling on foot also, – the whole route beautiful as a Dream and now to me almost as indistinct, – I am so tired – for though healthy I have not the
strength I possessed but a few years ago.

Byron’s Alpine Journey, September 18th-29th, 1816

H. went to fish – caught one – our carriage not come – our horses – mules &c. knocked up – ourselves fatigued – (but so much the better – I shall sleep).

Byron’s Alpine Journey, September 18th-29th, 1816

Before ascending the mountain – went to the torrent (7 in the morning) again – the Sun upon it

Byron’s Alpine Journey, September 18th-29th, 1816