Here, rather vexatiously, the old manuscript breaks
off. But what survives and has been cited of
this fragment amply shows you, I think, that even
in remote Philistia, whenever this question of “indecency”
arose, everybody (including the accused) was apt to
act very foolishly. It has attested too, I hope,
the readiness with which you may read ambiguities
into the most respectable of authors; as well as the
readiness with which a fanatical training may lead
you to imagine some underlying impropriety in all
writing about any natural function, even though it
be a function so time-hallowed and general as that
to which this curious Dirghic legend refers.
(French of C.J.P. Garnier)
The swine that died in Gadara
two thousand years ago
Went mad in lofty places,
with results that all men know—
Went mad in lofty places through
long rooting in the dirt,
Which (even for swine) begets
at last soul-satisfying hurt.
The swine in lofty places
now are matter for no song
By any prudent singer, but—how
long, O Lord, how long?
EXPLICIT
Biography:
BEYOND LIFE
FIGURES OF EARTH
DOMNEI
CHIVALRY
JURGEN
TABOO
THE LINE OF LOVE
GALLANTRY
THE CERTAIN HOUR
THE CORDS OF VANITY
FROM THE HIDDEN WAY
THE RIVET IN GRANDFATHER’S NECK
THE EAGLE’S SHADOW
THE CREAM OF THE JEST
Genealogy:
BRANCH OF ABINGDON
BRANCHIANA
THE MAJORS AND THEIR MARRIAGES
