LONDON - 21 April 2008 - 220 words
Peace benefit at St James's Piccadilly
Composer and pianist Michael Nyman, mezzo soprano Janet Shell, Iraqi oud player Ahmed Mukhtar, journalists Martin Bell and Yasmin Alibhao-Brown, Lancet editor Dr Richard Horton, and poet Adrian Mitchell are among those taking part in a special benefit for the Stop the War Coalition at St James Church, Piccadilly, this Thursday.
At this benefit performers will contribute a reading, a poem, a song or a piece of music. that changed their lives in some way or which they return to again and again for whatever reason.
Mirriam Margolyes would like to have taken part, but is in New York. She has told the organisers that she would have read her favourite poem: 'The Pulley' by George Herbert (1593-1633) She said: "An Anglican minister, crossing the time & culture boundaries for this old Jew. His loving message moves me, even though I don't believe in his, or any G-D. And yet, I belong to two synagogues."
When God at first made man,
Having a glasse of blessings standing by;
Let us (said he) poure on him all we can:
Let the worlds riches, which dispersed lie,
Contract into a span.
So strength first made a way ;
Then beautie flow'd, then wisdome, honour, pleasure :
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that alone, of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottome lay.
For if I should (said he)
Bestow this jewell also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts in stead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature :
So both should losers be.
Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlesnesse :
Let him be rich and wearie, that at least,
If goodnesse leade him not, yet wearinesse
May tosse him to my breast.
Tickets are £15 and £12 concessions.
To book call: 020 7278 6694.
© Independent Catholic News 2008
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