Talk:Saturday Night Fry

Latest comment: 14 years ago by Moletrouser in topic Devices and Desires

Devices and Desires edit

It is in the first episode of this show that "Devices & Desires" is used as the title of a fictitious E. M. Forster novel - the same title was later used for real by P. D. James but did it originate with Fry? It sounds like a quote, a Shakespearean quote even, but I can find no earlier reference; Fry uses it, of course, in his blog when talking of his liking for gadgetry... (Moletrouser, but left unsigned for some reason)(talk) 22:02, 5 August 2008 (UTC)Reply

I'm pretty sure its from The Book of Common Prayer.

You are right of course, anonymous stranger: It is from "A General Confession":

(To be said by the whole congregation, after the Minister, all kneeling)

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou O Lord have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

Should have twigged that - knew I'd heard it before Moletrouser (talk) 17:18, 27 December 2009 (UTC)Reply