Міжзірковий мандрівник

           Iwasaman.Andtherewasawomanbeautiful.Doyouunderstand?ShewasawomanandIwasamanandalover,andalltheheredityoflovewasmineupfromtheblackandsquallingjungleerelovewasloveandmanwasman.

           Oh,ay,itisnothingnew.Often,often,inthatlongpasthaveIgivenlifeandhonour,placeandpowerforlove.Manisdifferentfromwoman.Sheisclosetotheimmediateandknowsonlytheneedofinstantthings.Weknowhonouraboveherhonour,andpridebeyondherwildestguessofpride.Oureyesarefar-visionedforstar-gazing,whilehereyesseenofartherthanthesolidearthbeneathherfeet,thelover’sbreastuponherbreast,theinfantlustyinthehollowofherarm.Andyet,suchisouralchemycompoundedoftheages,womanworksmagicinourdreamsandinourveins,sothatmorethandreamsandfarvisionsandthebloodoflifeitselfiswomantous,who,asloverstrulysay,ismorethanalltheworld.Yetisthisjust,elsewouldmannotbeman,thefighterandtheconqueror,treadinghisredwayonthefaceofallotherandlesserlife—for,hadmannotbeenthelover,theroyallover,hecouldneverhavebecomethekinglyfighter.Wefightbest,anddiebest,andlivebest,forwhatwelove.

           Iamthatoneman.Iseemyselfthemanyselvesthathavegoneintotheconstitutingofme.AndeverIseethewoman,themanywomen,whohavemademeandundoneme,whohavelovedmeandwhomIhaveloved.