| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Agesilaus by Xenophon: who attained the fullest term of mortal life and died without
offence[4] committed, whether as concerning those at whose head he
marched, or as towards those others against whom he fought in war.
[3] See Symonds' "Greek Poets," ch. v.
[4] As to the word {anamartetos} so translated, see Breitenbach, Exc.
ad x. 4 of his edition.
XI
It only remains for me, under the form of headings,[1] to review the
topic of this great man's virtue, in hopes that thus his eulogy may
cling to the memory more lastingly.
[1] Or, as others think, "in a summary."
|
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Camille by Alexandre Dumas: first to raise a corner of the mysterious veil!
But to be really loved by a courtesan: that is a victory of
infinitely greater difficulty. With them the body has worn out
the soul, the senses have burned up the heart, dissipation has
blunted the feelings. They have long known the words that we say
to them, the means we use; they have sold the love that they
inspire. They love by profession, and not by instinct. They are
guarded better by their calculations than a virgin by her mother
and her convent; and they have invented the word caprice for that
unbartered love which they allow themselves from time to time,
for a rest, for an excuse, for a consolation, like usurers, who
Camille |
