Life, Letters, and Epicurean Philosophy of Ninon de L'Enclos - The Celebrated Beauty of the Seventeenth Century by Ninon de Lenclos
page 68 of 315 (21%)
page 68 of 315 (21%)
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rebuffs, resolved to have revenge and overcome her resistance by
punishing her. This he attempted to do in a very singular manner without regard to consistency. All Paris knew his verses in which he did not conceal his ardent love for Ninon, and in which were expressed the highest admiration for her estimable qualities and the depth of her philosophy. He now proceeded to take back everything good he had said about her and made fun of her love, her friendship, and her attainments. He ridiculed her in every possible manner, even charging up against her beauty, her age. A verse or so will enable the reader to understand his methods: "Il ne faut pas qu'on s'étonne, Si souvent elle raisonne De la sublime vertu Dont Platon fut revêtu: Car à bien compter son âge, Elle peut avoir vécu Avec ce grand personnage." Or, substantially in the English language: Let no one be surprised, If she should be advised Of the virtue most renowned In Plato to be found: For, counting up her age, She lived, 'tis reason sound, With that great personage. |
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