The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 22.0337 Sunday, 11 December 2011
[1] From: Alfredo Michel Modenessi <
Date: December 10, 2011 1:26:17 PM EST
Subject: Bernice, Herb et al.
[2] From: William Godshalk <
Date: December 9, 2011 1:56:33 PM EST
Subject: RE: SHAKSPER: Herb Coursen
[1]-----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Alfredo Michel Modenessi <
Date: December 10, 2011 1:26:17 PM EST
Subject: Bernice, Herb et al.
Dear SHAKSPEReans:
I hesitated to share my grief upon hearing of Bernice's demise, perhaps because, as usual, I was in her material debt more than decency allows—never got around to writing the piece on Hamlet in Mexico that she wanted for her Variorum edition. But learning that Herb is also gone within so little time is too much.
The spiritual debts I owed them . . . I cannot think of two people who were more generous and supportive to me from the start, so fundamental to the joy I have in being part of this world; two truly beautiful minds who long ago welcomed a baffled newcomer from somewhere down south, no questions asked, no walls of pride, all critical ears and wisdom-giving. I loved them, I'll miss them.
Given the circumstances, may I also share that Shakespeare's dear and dreaded friend, Time, hasn't been kind to his followers in other parts of the world lately? Tomás Segovia, a great Spanish poet and masterful translator of Shakespeare, also passed on some weeks ago. And the best student I've had in a while, Sergio Contla, whom Bernice and Herb would have loved to meet and help—as I'm sure some of you would have too, and soon enough—was drowned last week, at age 27. ". . . nothing 'gainst Time's scythe . . . " is right, I guess.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Alfredo
[2]-------------------------------------------------------------
From: William Godshalk <
Date: December 9, 2011 1:56:33 PM EST
Subject: RE: SHAKSPER: Herb Coursen
Herb, please forgive me for that less than stellar review I gave you in SQ.
Love ya, babe.
Bill