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172

Hermes:

Nakedness
In the palaistra or among the vines
Bathed of the dew, and sunshine-sanctified,
Was God-like once that Beast-like is to-day!
All innocent joys and frank are turned morose
And harmful made, albeit more sweet by you
Who spice each joy with savour of a sin!
Yet tho' the vile impute his villainy
To Beauty, still the marble Goddess stands
A statue scribbled by the lounger's coal
With trivial inscription, or unclean,
Calm and impassive, heedless of the stain,
Since one night's dew shall wash her white once more.


Colette.(To Peregrina):

Lady, fair stranger, like a soothsayer
You prophesied for little Antony,
I have a——friend, you mark him yonder, Gilles,
Have you no cure for his moon-madness?