--Gentlemen, as I have already said, my eagle was not always with
me. Before his time I was unconscious and beautiful, happy and naked
and unaware. Oh! Charming days! On the many-fountained sides of the
Caucasus, lascivious Asia, naked too and unaware, held me in her arms.
Together we sported, tumbling in the valleys; the air sang, the water
laughed, the simplest flowers were fragrant for our delight. And often
we lay beneath spreading branches, among flowers which were the haunt
of murmuring bees.
Asia wedded me, all laughter and then the murmuring swarms and the
rustling leaves, with which was mingled the music of the streams,
gently lulled us to the sweetest of slumbers. Around us all
consented--all protected our inhuman solitude.--Suddenly one day Asia
said to me: You should interest yourself in men.