1
Why pretend to remember the weather two years back? Why not? Listen close
then repeat after others what they have just said and win a reputation
for vivacity. Oh feed upon petals of aedelweis! one dew drop, if it be
from the right flower, is five year’s drink!
* * * * *
_Having once taken the plunge the situation that preceded it becomes
obsolete which a moment before was alive with malignant rigidities._
2
When beldams dig clams their fat hams (it’s always beldams) balanced
near Tellus’ hide, this rhinoceros pelt, these lumped stones—buffoonery
of midges on a bull’s thigh—invoke,—what you will: birth’s glut, awe at
God’s craft, youth’s poverty, evolution of a child’s caper, man’s poor
inconsequence. Eclipse of all things; sun’s self turned hen’s rump.
3
Cross a knife and fork and listen to the church bells! It is the harvest
moon’s made wine of our blood. Up over the dark factory into the blue
glare start the young poplars. They whisper: It is Sunday! It is Sunday!
But the laws of the county have been stripped bare of leaves. Out over
the marshes flickers our laughter. A lewd anecdote’s the chase. On
through the vapory heather! And there at banter’s edge the city looks at
us sidelong with great eyes,—lifts to its lips heavenly milk! Lucina, O
Lucina! beneficent cow, how have we offended thee?
* * * * *
_Hilariously happy because of some obscure wine of the fancy which
they have drunk four rollicking companions take delight in the thought
that they have thus evaded the stringent laws of the county. Seeing the
distant city bathed in moonlight and staring seriously at them they liken
the moon to a cow and its light to milk._