Note 315 — Chapter II · MORAL INFLUENCE

Qu’eust fait ce grec, si ceste image nue Entre ses bras fust Vénus devenue? Que suis-je lors, quand Louize me touche Et, l’accollant, d’un long baiser me baise? L’âme me part, et, mourant en cet aise, Je la reprens ja fuiant en sa bouche.

[What would that Greek of old have done if in his clinging arms His naked statue had become Venus with all her charms? And when Louisa touches me, ah! what is then my bliss, When all my body tingles with the thrill of her long kiss? In that sweet agony I die, my soul then from me slips; But I catch it as it passes ’twixt my lady’s burning lips.]