Shakespearean Imagination

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God save you, neighbours!

It's Wednesday again, which means another installment of Shakespearean Imagination!

Today, Britain mourns the loss of two female PCs, Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone, who responded yesterday to a routine call, only to be gunned down. Police in Britain are generally unarmed, but their killer had not only a gun, but apparently a hand grenade as well. According to BBC news, this is the first time two female police officers have been killed in the line of duty in the same incident anywhere in the UK. While our hearts and prayers go out to the victims’ families, friends, and colleagues, I give you today’s word:

cold-blooded : cold•blood•ed / kohld-bluhd-id/ (adjective) :

adjective
-without emotion or feeling; dispassionate; cruel; heartless.
-sensitive to cold.
-poikilothermic; designating or pertaining to animals, such as fishes and reptiles, whose blood temperature ranges from the freezing point upward, in accordance with the temperature of the surrounding medium.

Synonyms barbarous – brutal – callous – cold – dispassionate – hard-boiled – hard-hearted – hardened – imperturbable – inhuman – matter-of-fact – merciless – obdurate – pitiless – relentless – ruthless – savage – steely – stony-hearted – uncompassionate – unemotional – unfeeling – unmoved


First seen in Shakespeare's King John (written 1596 - 1597). The full text of the play may be found here.


Note: you may read the BBC coverage here.


The Emergency Response Prayer

When I start my tour of duty God,
Wherever crime may be,
as I walk the darkened streets alone,
Let me be close to thee.

Please give me understanding
with both the young and old.
Let me listen with attention
until their story's told.

Let me never make a judgment
in a rash or callous way,
but let me hold my patience
let each man have his say.

*

When I am called to duty, God
whenever flames may rage,
Give me the strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.

Help me to embrace a little child
Before it’s too late,
Or some older person
from the horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling
and give the best in me,
To guard my neighbor
And protect his property.

*

As I perform my duty Lord
Whatever be the call,
Help to guide and keep me safe
From dangers big and small.

I want to serve and do my best
No matter what the scene,
I pledge to keep my skills refined,
My judgement quick and keen.

This calling to give of my self
Most do not understand,
But I stand ready all the time
To help my fellow man.

To have the chance to help a child
Restore his laugh with glee,
A word of thanks I might not hear,
But knowing is enough for me.

*

And if according to Your will
I have to lose my life,
Please bless with everlasting love
My children and my wife.