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folk with o'erfed souls on earth
- who shall scarce attain to clearness.
- Once I met with such a fellow,
- of the flock the very flower;
- and even he mistook his goal,
- losing sense in blatant sound.-
- See the waste round this oasis.
- Were I but to swing my turban,
- I could force the ocean-flood
- to fill up the whole concern.
- But I were a blockhead, truly,
- seas and lands to go creating.
- Know you what it is to live?
ANITRA
- Teach me!
PEER
- It is to be wafted
- dry-shod down the stream of time,
- wholly, solely as oneself.
- Only in full manhood can I
- be the man I am, dear child!
- Aged eagle moults his plumage,
- aged fogey lags declining,
- aged dame has ne'er a tooth left,
- aged churl gets withered hands,-
- one and all get souls.
- Youth! Ah, youth! I mean to reign,
- as a sultan, whole and fiery,-
- not on Gyntiana's shores,
- under trellised vines and palm-leaves,-
- but enthroned in the freshness
- of a woman's virgin thoughts.-
- See you now, my little maiden,
- why I've graciously bewitched you,-
