Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 21
Ihaveslainmen,manymen,forloveofwoman,orinwarmbloodhavebaptizedournuptialsorwashedawaythestainofherfavourtoanother.Ihavegonedowntodeathanddishonour,mybetrayalofmycomradesandofthestarsblackuponme,forwoman’ssake—formysake,rather,Idesiredherso.AndIhavelaininthebarley,sickwithyearningforher,justtoseeherpassandglutmyeyeswiththeswayingwonderofherandofherhair,blackwiththenight,orbrownorflaxen,orallgolden-dustywiththesun.
Forwomanisbeautiful...toman.Sheissweettohistongue,andfragranceinhisnostrils.Sheisfireinhisblood,andathunderoftrumpets;hervoiceisbeyondallmusicinhisears;andshecanshakehissoulthatelsestandssteadfastinthedraughtypresenceoftheTitansoftheLightandoftheDark.Andbeyondhisstar-gazing,inhisfar-imaginedheavens,Valkyrieorhouri,manhasfainmadeplaceforher,forhecouldseenoheavenwithouther.Andthesword,inbattle,singing,singsnotsosweetasongasthewomansingstomanmerelybyherlaughinthemoonlight,orherlove-sobinthedark,orbyherswayingonherwayunderthesunwhileheliesdizzywithlonginginthegrass.
Ihavediedoflove.Ihavediedforlove,asyoushallsee.Inalittlewhiletheywilltakemeout,me,DarrellStanding,andmakemedie.Andthatdeathshallbeforlove.Oh,notlightlywasIstirredwhenIslewProfessorHaskellinthelaboratoryattheUniversityofCalifornia.Hewasaman.
