In the digital age of 'overnight' success stories such as Facebook the hard slog is easily overlooked.

I would often find myself at the age of 21 at midnight running down a dark street on my own with 10 men chasing me. And the fact they had cameras in their hands made that legal.

But an old age serene and bright and lovely as a Lapland night shall lead thee to thy grave.

No lying knight or lying priest ever prospered in any age but especially not in the dark ones. Men prospered then only in following an openly declared purpose and preaching candidly beloved and trusted creeds.

Middle age is when you're sitting at home on a Saturday night and the telephone rings and you hope it isn't for you.