Dangerous Things

Said Myrtias (a Syrian student
In Alexandria; in the reign of
Augustus Constans and Augustus Constantius;
In part a pagan, and in part a christian);
“Fortified by theory and study,
I shall not fear my passions like a coward.
I shall give my body to sensual delights,
To enjoyments dreamt-of,
To the most daring amorous desires,
To the lustful impulses of my blood, without
Any fear, for whenever I want
And I shall have the will, fortified
As I shall be by theory and study
At moments of crisis I shall find again
My spirit, as before, ascetic.”

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