Re: Sensible passives (was: confession: roots)

Amanda Babcock wrote:

> Where can I find a copy of this?
In _Letters_.  My JRRT material is out of reach at present, but
it goes something like this (quotes NOT corrected):

Original:  "'Nay, Gandalf!', said the king. 'You do not know
your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself will go
to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be.
Thus shall I sleep better."

Modernized:  "Not at all, my dear Gandalf.  You don't know your
own skill as a doctor.  It shall not be so.  I'll lead the troops
myself, even if I'm killed...."

But then what?  Someone speaking in a modern style simply wouldn't
say "I'll lie in my grave better that way".  There would be a
clash between style and sense.

--
There is / one art             || John Cowan <jcowan@...>
no more / no less              || http://www.reutershealth.com
to do / all things             || http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
with art- / lessness           \\ -- Piet Hein

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