To you I would give my felicity, my future;
for one of your words I would spill my blood drop by drop.
"Of all my lovers you are the only ideal consort (consorto) to whom I
would give my love and all the expansion of my soul and youthful
enthusiasm (intusiamo), the greatest enthusiasm (co-tusiamo) my
heart has ever known. O cruel one who has deigned to put his sweet
poison in my heart to-day, while to-morrow you will pass me with
indifference. Cold, proud as ever, serious and disdainful - you
understand? However that may be, I send you the unrepenting cry of my
rebellious heart: I love you!
"It is late at night, and I am still awake, and at this hour my soul is
sadder than ever in its great isolation (insolamende); I look on my
past love and your dear image. Too much I love you and (illegible)
without your affection.
"How sadly I remember your sweet words whispered on a pathetic evening
when everything around was fair and rosy. How happy I then was when life
seemed radiant with felicity and brightened by your love. And now
nothing more remains of it; everything is finished. How sad even to say
it. My heart is shipwrecked far, far away from that happiness which I
sought."
(Three further pages of this.)
2. - From a boy of 14 who takes the initiative; such letters are rare.
Note the business-like brevity.
"DEAR MISS ANNE,
"I write you these few lines to say that I have understood your character
(carattolo). Therefore, if I may have the honour of being your
sweetheart, you will let me know the answer at your pleasure. I salute
you, and remain,
"Signing myself, "SALVATORE.
"Prompt reply requested!"
XII
MOLLE TARENTUM
One looks into the faces of these Tarentines and listens to their casual
conversations, trying to unravel what manner of life is theirs. But it
is difficult to avoid reading into their characters what history leads
one to think should be there.
The upper classes, among whom I have some acquaintance, are mellow and
enlightened; it is really as if something of the honied spirit of those
old Greek sages still brooded over them. Their charm lies in the fact
that they are civilized without being commercialized. Their politeness
is unstrained, their suaveness congenital; they remind me of that New
England type which for Western self-assertion substitutes a yielding
graciousness of disposition. So it is with persistent gentle upbringing,
at Taranto and elsewhere. It tones the individual to reposeful
sweetness; one by one, his anfractuosities are worn off; he becomes as a
pebble tossed in the waters, smooth, burnished, and (to outward
appearances) indistinguishable from his fellows.
