David Lean has spent 55 years in the film industry trying to live down his surname. Was ever the son of austerely named English Quakers so given to pathological gigantism? Did ever a former clapper-boy, cutting-room apprentice, “wardrobe mistress,” and assistant director realize—on such wall-to-wall scale—his dreams of directorial grandeur? In the last 30 years Lean movies have come ever more vastly built and budgeted, and with ever vaster breathing spaces between them. Five years each between The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and then three between Lawrence and Doctor Zhivago (1965). Five years between Zhivago and Ryan’s Daughter (1970). Now 14 years between Ryan’s Daughter and A Passage to India (1984). The mind boggles at the age Lean, now 76, will be when by mathematical progression, he is ready to make his next film.

gigantism

claustrophobic

30 August 1797 in London

ll these devils came forward to Satan, they Downcast and damp; yet such wherein appeared still looked defeated and sad but Satan's confidence Obscure some glimpse of joy to have found their Chief encouraged them and gave them confidence too

But Satan was touched that they still followed him, even in Hell Their glory withered; as, when heaven’s fire Their glory was faded, like a burned down forest Hath scathed the forest oaks or mountain pines, after a forest fire

He still looked like an Archangel as he was in Heaven All her original brightness, nor appeared but he just wasn't as bright Less than Archangel ruined, and the excess Of glory obscured: as when the sun new-risen He was like when the sun shines Looks through the horizontal misty air         595 through the mist.

They waited for Satan to speak and direct them. Had to impose. He through the armed files Satan looked over at his troops and Darts his experienced eye, and soon traverse inspected them with his trained eyes

made

All these devils came forward to Satan, they Downcast and damp; yet such wherein appeared still looked defeated and sad but Satan's confidence Obscure some glimpse of joy to have found their Chief encouraged them and gave them confidence too

they should see what these rebel Angels can build and do. What in an age they, with incessant toil They're pretty resourceful and hardworking. And hands innumerable, scarce perform. Nigh on the plain, in many cells prepared,         700 Across the plains they created canals That underneath had veins of liquid fire where they would channel the molten metal into Sluiced from the lake, a second multitude Another team With wondrous art founded the massy ore, worked on taking the metals Severing each kind, and scummed the bullion-dross. and separating the different kinds of metals. A third as soon had formed within the ground         705 A third team poured the metal A various mould, and from the boiling cells into different molds

Israel would be invaded by these devils, when they started The infection, when their borrowed gold composed to worship The calf in Oreb; and the rebel king a golden cow instead of worshipping God Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan,         485 Likening his Maker to the grazèd ox— Jehovah, who, in one night, when he passed Only the faithful to God would be spared From Egypt marching, equalled with one stroke Both her first-born and all her bleating gods. from God's anger when he killed all the firstborn children

This

When the Philistines put the Ark of the Lord in this temple, Maimed his brute image, head and hands lopt off, his statue was later found decapitated and his hands were cut off.

Then came Astoreth Astarte, queen of heaven, with cresent horns; who was called the "queen of Heaven" To whose bright image nightly by the moon         440 Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs; In Sion also not unsung, where stood Her temple on the offensive mountain, built and worshipped in Solomon's evil temple.

Next would be Chemos, who would be worshipped by the Moabites. From Aroar to Nebo and the wild Of southmost Abarim; in Hesebon And Horonaim, Seon’s realm, beyond The flowery dale of Sibma clad with vines,         410 And Elealè to the Asphaltick Pool: Peor his other name, when he enticed He was also known as Peor, and Israel in Sittim, on their march from Nile, when the Jews escaped Egypt To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe. Yet thence his lustful orgies he enlarged         415 He led them in orgies.