A Gloss on Love

FLOUNDERING, venturing, becoming angry,

gruff, tender, receptive, aloof,

spirited, listless, lifeless, lively,

loyal, treacherous, cowardly, brave;

never finding purpose or tranquility

except in the beloved;

seeming joyous, sad, humble, arrogant,

furious, courageous, fugitive,

smug, irritable, suspicious;

ignoring clear disillusionment,

drinking down poison like a mild rum,

disrearding advantage, courting danger;

believing that heaven is possible in hell,

bartering body and soul for a dream;

LOVE IS ALL THESE. WHOEVER TASTED IT KNOWS.

- Lope de Vega (translated into English)

fleurdelise