Портрет Дориана Грея

           Tohim,manwasabeingwithmyriadlivesandmyriadsensations,acomplexmultiformcreaturethatborewithinitselfstrangelegaciesofthoughtandpassion,andwhoseveryfleshwastaintedwiththemonstrousmaladiesofthedead. Helovedtostrollthroughthegauntcoldpicture-galleryofhiscountryhouseandlookatthevariousportraitsofthosewhosebloodflowedinhisveins. HerewasPhilipHerbert,describedbyFrancisOsborne,inhis"MemoiresontheReignsofQueenElizabethandKingJames,"asonewhowas"caressedbytheCourtforhishandsomeface,whichkepthimnotlongcompany. "WasityoungHerbert’slifethathesometimesled? Hadsomestrangepoisonousgermcreptfrombodytobodytillithadreachedhisown? Wasitsomedimsenseofthatruinedgracethathadmadehimsosuddenly,andalmostwithoutcause,giveutterance,inBasilHallward’sstudio,tothemadprayerthathadsochangedhislife? Here,ingold-embroideredreddoublet,jewelledsurcoat,andgilt-edgedruffandwrist-bands,stoodSirAnthonySherard,withhissilver-and-blackarmourpiledathisfeet. Whathadthisman’slegacybeen? HadtheloverofGiovannaofNaplesbequeathedhimsomeinheritanceofsinandshame? Werehisownactionsmerelythedreamsthatthedeadmanhadnotdaredtorealise? Here,fromthefadingcanvas,smiledLadyElizabethDevereux,inhergauzehood,pearlstomacher,andpinkslashedsleeves. Aflowerwasinherrighthand,andherleftclaspedanenamelledcollarofwhiteanddamaskroses. Onatablebyhersidelayamandolinandanapple. Therewerelargegreenrosettesuponherlittlepointedshoes. Heknewherlife,andthestrangestoriesthatweretoldaboutherlovers. Hadhesomethingofhertemperamentinhim? Theseovalheavy-liddedeyesseemedtolookcuriouslyathim. WhatofGeorgeWilloughby,withhispowderedhairandfantasticpatches?