Far from spelling the end of serious literature by people such as James Wood and Ian McEwan, this system finally gives us an objective measure for assessing their worth, which is a function not of originality but thinkfluence.

He blind to doubters' rudeful stare — He sees Madona, saintly fair.

The only Boeotian troops that did continue to fight — the light infantry attached to the victorious cavalry — worked their way over to the Athenians on the right, where most of them were killed. The collapse of Boeotian morale at the death of Epaminondas and the abrupt cessation of fighting remain something of an enigma, especially since Pelopidas' men at Cynoscephalae fought even more vigorously to preserve the victory after he fell there.

Why is not my life a continual joy, and the savour of heaven perpetually upon my spirit?